Fearless Faith with Daniel · Woodlawn Student Ministry

Scripture

Daniel 6:10–23

¹⁰When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ¹¹Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. ¹²So they approached the king and asked about his edict: “Didn’t you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den? ”

The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable.”

¹³Then they replied to the king, “Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day.” ¹⁴As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him.

¹⁵Then these men went together to the king and said to him, “You know, Your Majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed.”

¹⁶So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you! ” ¹⁷A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. ¹⁸Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep.

¹⁹At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said, “has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions? ”

²¹Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. ²²My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.”

²³The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God.

Quote

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

— John Piper

Sermon Outline

1

FEARLESS FAITH STANDS FIRM IN PRESSURE

FEARLESS FAITH STANDS FIRM IN

Supporting Scripture: Daniel 6:10

¹⁰When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Key Truth: Daniel’s strength did not begin in the lion’s den. It started in his daily walk with God. When the law said to stop praying, Daniel’s habits of faith made him strong enough to stand firm. Illustration 1: An athlete trains every day so when the championship comes, they are ready. Daniel’s daily prayers were his training ground for courage. Illustration 2: A student who quietly chooses honesty each day finds it easier to tell the truth when the stakes are high. Reflection Pause: - What are the habits in your life that help you stay close to God? - Why do you think Daniel kept praying even when he knew it could cost him everything?

2

GOD IS PRESENT IN THE LIONS’ DEN

GOD IS IN THE LIONS’ DEN

Supporting Scripture: Daniel 6:22

²²My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.”

Key Truth: God did not keep Daniel out of the lions’ den, but He met him there. God’s presence is with us in the middle of our toughest trials, giving us peace and hope even when things look hopeless. Illustration 1: A student facing bullying or family struggles feels God’s nearness and comfort in prayer, even when nothing changes overnight. Illustration 2: Someone walking through anxiety or grief finds that God sends friends, encouragement, and peace that does not make sense in the middle of their storm. Reflection Pause: - When have you experienced God’s presence during a hard time? - Why do you think God sometimes lets us face the 'lions' instead of keeping us from trouble?

3

FEARLESS FAITH MAKES GOD KNOWN

FEARLESS FAITH MAKES GOD

Supporting Scripture: Daniel 6:25–27

²⁵Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth: “May your prosperity abound. ²⁶I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel:

For he is the living God,

and he endures forever;

his kingdom will never be destroyed,

and his dominion has no end.

²⁷He rescues and delivers;

he performs signs and wonders

in the heavens and on the earth,

for he has rescued Daniel

from the power of the lions.”

Key Truth: Daniel’s courage pointed people to God. Sometimes God uses your faith in the middle of hard times to show others what He is like. Your stand might encourage someone else to trust God in their own lions’ den. Illustration 1: A student stands up for someone being bullied, and their courage inspires others to do the same. Illustration 2: A teacher or coach who lives out their faith in the classroom or on the field gives students a picture of what real faith looks like. Reflection Pause: - Who is watching your life and learning about God from you? - How can your faith help someone else be brave?

Where it lands

APPLICATION Practical Steps: 1. Choose one daily habit that will help you stay close to God this week. 2. When you feel pressure to compromise, ask God for courage to stand firm. 3. Encourage a friend who is facing their own lions’ den. 4. Remember, God is always with you, even when it is hard. Leader Note: Challenge your group to pray daily for courage. Check in midweek and celebrate any steps of faith or moments of trust. CLOSE / CHALLENGE Faith that stands firm in tough times brings God the most glory. Daniel trusted God no matter the outcome, and God used Daniel’s story to change the world. Charles Stanley once said, 'Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.' Gospel Tie-In: Jesus faced the 'lions' of sin and death for us. Because He overcame, we can trust God with everything—even the hardest situations.