RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL FOR 2022/2023 AGE 6-8 TEACHER’S MANUAL SUNDAY 25TH OF JUNE, 2023

[1]In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

[2]And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.

[3]Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles,

[4]young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.

[5]And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

[6]Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

[7]To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.

[8]But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

[9]Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.

[10]And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

[11]So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

[12]“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

[13]Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.”

[14]So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

[15]And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.

[16]Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

[17]As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

[18]Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

[19]Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

[20]And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.

[21]Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

LESSON AIM: The children will know that they have to depend on God to say no to things that are not pure or holy.

INTRODUCTION: Children! As you get older, every one of you will face tough choices and tough temptations. Sometimes you will face situations where it would be easier to go along with what everyone else is doing. That is the reason you should pay special attention to today’s Bible story. Over 500 years before Jesus was born, God’s people lived in a land called Judah. But because of their continual disobedience against God, God judged them for their sins. A king named Nebuchadnezzar came from the land of Babylon and took control of Judah. God gave Jerusalem and Judah into his hands and this king took items from the Temple back to Babylon. But he also took something else.

PROGRESSION OF EVENT:DANIEL 1:1-21

1. King Nebuchadnezzar also took some young men amongst who were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

2. The king’s goal was to take these young men and educate them to be Babylonian leaders to serve in his court.

3. But as part of helping them to become Babylonian, they were given Babylonian names. – Daniel became Belteshazzar – Hananiah became Shadrach – Mishael became Meshach – Azariah became Abednego.

4. Daniel and his companions were determined not to defile themselves and requested vegetables and water.

5. The Eunuch in charge of them was afraid that they would look less appealing and this could endanger his life with the king.

6. Daniel gave a great solution for them to be given the vegetables and water for ten days and if no changes, they can be fed the king’s food.

GOSPEL CONNECTION: Daniel and his friends believed in the only true God and they know that when they go against His commandments is a sin against Him. God loves you and doesn’t want you to sin against Him. So He made a way out for your sins to be forgiven by sending His Son Jesus to earth to take the punishment for our sins. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 tells us that Christ died, buried, and rose again according to the scriptures so that we can be saved. Daniel and his friends knew that and did not what to do anything that will be a sin against God.

CLIMAX: They were ten times better than those who ate the King’s food.

CONCLUSION: When the king tested them in knowledge and wisdom, there were none skilled like them in the kingdom.

CHALLENGE: These four young men continued to obey.God. They could have defiled themselves but they were determined to live pure and right. You too can do the same by

standing up for Jesus if you are asked to do the wrong things e.g lying, stealing, bullying, Jesus will always make a way for you to do what is right and reward you for your purity and holiness.