For our fall kick-off at CATALYST, we started a new series called BACK 2 SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE. This week, we took a closer look at the events of Daniel Chapter One. In this chapter, four teenagers had their city attacked by enemies and then were kidnapped and brought to Babylon. These teens grew up loving and following God, but now they were in a foreign culture where NOBODY else shared their faith or values.
While in Babylon, they were enrolled in a "high school" that would train them to be servants for the king. At this high school, they faced a lot of pressure to conform and be like everybody else. They had their names changed, which was significant because all of their names reminded them of their faith. For example, Daniel's name means "God is Just" and his friend Hananiah's name meant "God is full of love and grace". The new names they were given all paid tribute to the idols the Babylonian's worshipped (Daniel became Beltechazzar- meaning "Bel protects his life", Hananiah's name was changed to Shadrach- meaning "Commanded by Aku"). Their names were changed so that they wouldn't be reminded of their old way of life and so that they would leave their faith behind them.
These four teens experienced even more pressure when they were expected to eat whatever the King gave them, and most of the food that was served was considered "unclean". In Bible times, food was considered "unclean" either for health reasons (to prevent disease from spreading) or because it had been used as sacrifices to false gods. Daniel and his friends REFUSED to eat the food and only ate a diet of veggies and water for 10 days. Even though they didn't eat the king's food, miraculously, they were found to be stronger, wiser, and better than anyone else in the school. This even impressed the king, who gave them important positions in his kingdom.
This Bible story reminded of our teens of the importance of resisting the pressures that they might face in school. At school, teens are surrounded by others who don't share their faith or values and might encourage them to do things that aren't right. They might feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing just to be accepted (from gossiping and being mean to others to experimenting with drugs). Here, Daniel and his friends stood firm against the pressures they faced and refused to do what they knew wasn't right. As a result of this, God took care of them and helped them! This reminds us that there is always great value when we follow God. When we're committed to doing the right thing and following His directions for living (even when nobody else is) he will help us and be with us, just like he was for these four teens in the Bible.
DISCUSSION QUESTION FOR HOME
Talk to your teen about what some of their biggest challenges are at school, Is it school work? Finding good friends? Resisting pressure? Take the time to pray with them and ask God to help them this year at school.
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