​I welcome you back for the last of our three lessons this month about
the story, “Daniel and the Scary Sleepover”, found on pages 152-159 of The
Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.
Children: Please read this exciting story out loud, maybe to a younger
brother or sister, or to yourself. Could you feel the lions’ breath on your
face, as Daniel did? Are you aware of their eyes staring at you?
In last month’s story, we learned about the Ten Commandments (“Ten
Ways to Be Perfect”). Can you tell me what commandment was broken by the
people who worked alongside Daniel that got Daniel into trouble? If you
think it was the tenth commandment, you are correct! Jealousy!
Daniel was a really smart man who worked very hard at any job he had,
and he always impressed his many bosses and kings with the great care he
took with his work. He was frequently promoted to a higher level job, and
the evil people who worked alongside Daniel could not or would not work as
hard. They were so jealous that they lied about Daniel to the King. They
secretly wanted to turn Daniel into lion food!
We learn from Daniel that we need to always remember to pray, that God
can protect us from anything, and that in good and bad times God is with us!
Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions with Pastor Steve
and others who frequent this blog.
Adults: The Biblical reference for our story is Daniel 6.
Throughout the Bible, there are many examples of how God protects his
people, even when situations seem hopeless. The story of Daniel shows that
God is always in control. He had a special plan for Daniel, as he does for each
of us.
Daniel was firm in his beliefs. He didn’t stop following God’s law, even
though he knew it would get him in trouble. He needed to be brave and
courageous and trust that God would protect him even when things seemed
terrible.

Throughout your life, there will be times when things are difficult. You
might feel afraid or alone, but God promises to always be with you and to
protect you. This doesn’t mean that your life will always go smoothly or that
bad things won’t happen, however God does promise to always be with you
and to use all things (both the good AND the bad) for good in your life.
Final note: After Daniel escaped any harm from the lions, King Darius
made a proclamation to “all peoples, nations, and languages” that everyone in
his dominion must “tremble and fear before Daniel’s God” (6:25–27).
This Week’s Prayer: God, I know that I can talk to You anytime,
anywhere, and about anything! Amen
This concludes this month’s study of Daniel. I hope you can gather with us
this coming Sunday for Sunday School at 11 am right after services for a
snack, a lesson discussion, and a fun craft.
In prayer,
Margo Greer

     Hello to you once again! Glad you are able to be here!
     Today we are continuing our November’s story entitled “Daniel and the Scary Sleepover” found on pages 1522-159 of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This is the second of three online lessons for this month.
     Children: It is time to listen to the story being read to you one more time. Maybe instead of listening to the recorded video provided to you, you would like to ask a family member to read the story to you. As you listen to the oral reader, I would like you to follow along in the book so you can check out all the cool illustrations (pictures).
     It took great courage and faith in God for Daniel to break the law and be obedient to God. God was faithful to Daniel and protected him from the hungry lions.
     All people, even adults, have their share of “lions” … things that are problems or something we are afraid of. Maybe a “lion” in your life is someone who you have allowed to upset you, or something that happened at home or school that is worrisome, or if someone you know is sick – These are all things that make us feel sad or not very happy.
     I'm sure Daniel thought about giving-in and hiding the fact that he was a follower of God, but Daniel decided to stand up for his belief in God, even if it meant death.
     There are times when even a kid has to stand up for her/his beliefs. When you see someone treating another badly. When you hear gossip. When you have the tough choice of sleeping in or going to church. When it's time to pray, and you'd rather play. When others speak negatively about God or the church. When there are things that are pulling you away from God. Distractions and “lions” come in all shapes and sizes!
     If you have any questions, concerns, or just thoughts to share, please use this blog to open a conversation with Pastor Steve. If you wish, create your own illustrations!
     Adults: The Biblical reference for our story is Daniel 6.    
     Daniel was successful in every administration he served in, and he served all different kinds of bosses, all different types of kings. It is interesting to look into what was the cause of Daniel’s success.
     Based on the numerous job evaluations by others found in the Bible, Daniel demonstrated five distinct attributes that most of us believe we need in order to be successful in our own lives.
#1 Commitment – the desire to remain faithful. He was committed to maintaining his own convictions, to giving his best to every kingdom, and was committed to being an example worthy of inspection. In other words, he was true to his job – he really meant business!
#2 Competence – the ability to do something successfully or efficiently. Daniel was competent in wisdom and understanding (He did more than what was assigned or expected.), in specific areas of training (literature, science, engineering), and could multi-task.
#3 - Courage – having the heart to serve. Daniel had courage to serve his bosses’ vision with his all, he had courage to put aside issues (like his kidnapping), and he was courageous enough to be willing to die for his beliefs.
#4 Compassion – the love to meet needs. Daniel had compassion. He believed that he should share the truth with kindness (It hurt to tell the king of God’s judgment!), and it fueled his spiritual mission throughout his life
#5 Creativity – the ingenuity to change and to produce change. Daniel was creative enough to embrace new leadership, to find answers, and to take on new areas of responsibility. 

Daniel came in as a slave, he workd and did his best, and step by step, he kept being promoted. He never asked to be promoted. He never sought a promotion. He sought excellence and that brought promotion. Daniel's ability to excel is what kept him on top! 








​This Week’s Prayer: Dear Jesus, I ask you to help me close the mouths of the “lions” in my life. Amen
     Next week I will share the third and last lesson about Daniel and the lions. Our Sunday School Gathering will take place on November 26, 2023, at 11 am right after service. We will meet for a snack, a lesson discussion, and a fun craft!
Have good week,
Margo Greer

 Happy November to you! Welcome to our Learning Together blog. Here we listen and read and imagine and create around a new story each month from The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. November’s story is entitled “Daniel and the Scary Sleepover” and is found on pages 152-159.
     Children: Are you ready to listen to our new story being read out loud to you? Find a comfy spot, close your eyes, and imagine you are Daniel, our main character. When finished listening, you may want to draw some pictures of your own about this story, or share them with a family member or a friend.
     Have you ever been to a sleepover before? If so, then you probably remember being invited to a good friend’s house, eating tasty snacks, playing fun games, watching an exciting movie, and trying to stay up really late. Sounds like a good time, right? You bet it is!
     If you have been to a sleepover, I would like to think you have NOT been to a sleepover that had invited LIONS to the party. Oh my, that would not really be a safe choice, would it?
     Unfortunately, Daniel did not have a choice. He was set up.
      Pastor Steve will take any questions regarding Daniel’s amazing story. Feel free to contact Pastor through this blog.
     Adults: The Biblical reference for our story is Daniel 6.
     King Darius I was a king of Persia and reigned from 522 BCE until his death in 486 BCE. He ruled the Persian Empire at its territorial peak when the population was around 50 million people and it included much of Western Asia, parts of the Balkans, most of the Black Sea’s coastal regions, central Asia, the Indus Valley, and portions of northern and northwestern Africa including Egypt, part of Libya, and coastal Sudan.
    
Upon reaching the throne, he appointed 120 provincial governors to help run his kingdom. Over these officials, he also appointed three administrators, one of whom was Daniel. Before long, Daniel displayed such remarkable ability as an administrator that King Darius planned to make him the leader of the three top officials. That was what provoked the other two administrators to gain the support of some of the governors to find a way to discredit Daniel. And by tricking
King Darius, they connived to throw Daniel into a den of lions

~This Week’s Prayer: Dear God, watch over us this week and keep us safe.
     Remember to join us again next week for the second lesson about Daniel’s sleepover with the lions. Also, note on your calendar that this month’s Sunday School Gathering will take place on November 26, 2023.
​Until next week,
Margo Greer