“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
“Habila Adama and his family were awakened by the sound of pounding on the front door of their simple home in northern Nigeria. It was 11 p.m., well past the hour for a neighborly visit, so the only reason for someone to be at the door was an emergency or, worse, an attack on their village.”
Habila was met by intruders wearing robes and masks. One was armed with an AK-47. Habila said a short prayer to the Lord. The men announced that they were there to do the work of Allah. Then they began to ask Habila questions. They wanted to know if he was a Christian or Muslim. Habila replied “I am a Christian.”
The intruders told Habila that they were giving him the opportunity to live – and live a better life – if he would only become a Muslim and say the shahada [Islamic profession of faith that includes, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”]. They even asked him to join them as a member of Boko Haram. Once again Habila told them “I am a Christian and will always remain a Christian, even to death.” He was shot in the face and left to die in front of his wife and children. The good news is that God spared his life.
That attack in November 2012 by Boko Haram included more than 30 members of Habila’s church. All of them refused to convert to Islam, choosing to die rather than turn their backs on Christ. Habila and his family were the only survivors. (Story from Voice of the Martyrs 10/14)
How would you respond to such a challenge? Are you willing to face death for the cause of Christ? Three men in Daniel 3 were faced with a choice. They chose to honor God! This familiar Bible story seems to have new meaning for our faith as we think about the current events and persecution that Christians are experiencing around the world.
Read Daniel 3.
I. True Faith confronts the challenge – Dan. 3:1-12
1. What did King Nebuchadnezzar make? Why do you think it was made entirely of gold? (3:1)
2. Who was invited to the dedication ceremony? (3:2-3)
3. What were the people commanded to do? (3:4-5)
4. What about the king’s command created a problem for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? What was to be the consequence of disobedience to the command? (3:6 – 12)
II. True Faith confesses the Lord – Dan. 3:13 – 18
5. How does the king respond to the complaint that certain Jews did not worship the golden image? (3:13 – 15)
6. What temptation did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego face when they were brought before the king? (3:13 – 15)
7. What were these men certain of in their response to Nebuchadnezzar’s challenge, and what were thy uncertain of? (3:16 -18)
8. How might their example encourage you if you are faced with the possibility of losing your job or being rejected by friends because of your refusal to compromise God’s Word?
9. Read Hebrews 11:33 – 39. Does faith mean that God will always deliver us from our trouble?
III. True Faith confounds the enemy – Dan. 3:19 – 25
10. The king was full of anger. What steps did he take to make sure that these three men would die? (3:19 – 21)
11. How do we know that only through divine intervention would these 3 servants of the Lord live? (3:22)
12. What details are recorded about this event that astonished the king? (3:24 – 25)
IV. True Faith confirms the promise – Dan. 3:26 – 30
13. What did the crowd observe when the men came out of the furnace? (3:26 – 27)
14. The prophet Isaiah had warned Judah about coming Babylonian captivity. How might Isaiah 43:2 have been a promise that these Jewish youth could have claimed?
15. How did the king respond to God’s deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? What stood out to the king about these men? (3:28 – 30)
16. What lessons about the risks and rewards of obedience to God are most significant to you?
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