Daniel
DANIEL
Objectives:
- Children should identify Daniel as a prophet.
- Children should identify Daniel as the author of the book of Daniel.
- Children should be able to tell the story of Daniel in the lion’s den.
- Children should identify Belshazzar as the last king of Babylon and to tell the story of the handwriting on the wall.
Possible Lesson Plan:
- Open with prayer.
- Scripture Reference: Daniel 5 & 6. Remind the students that Daniel lived during one of the most exciting periods in the history of Mesopotamia (Where’s that?). Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, rose to its greatest prominence, with its Hanging Gardens one of the wonders of the ancient world. But, under Belshazzar, his successor, Babylon was conquered by Cyrus of Persia, who marched into the city with his army in the dead of night on the dry bed of the Euphrates River that flowed under the city walls (after damming the river!). Cyrus was succeeded by Darius.
- Learning Game: Divide the class into 2 groups. Each group has 5 minutes to prepare a skit about either “The Handwriting on the Wall” or “Daniel in the Lion’s Den”. Then have each group perform for each other.
- Discussion: God protected and helped Daniel in difficult situations. Which ones? How has God helped and protected you and your family? Daniel was obedient to God. Why is obedience important? What did Samuel say to Saul? Daniel had great faith in God. What does it mean to have faith? Why is faith important? How does obedience show faith? Daniel always put God first in his life. How did he show this? Do you put God first? How do you show it?
- Make a Diorama:
Begin with a small box like a shoebox for each child. Cut out the front panel. Cut a piece of construction paper to fit the back; color it as scenery and glue in place inside the box. Now make figures for Daniel, Darius, the wicked advisors, and the lions out of pipe cleaners. Use modeling clay as a base to stand the figures and place them in the diorama.
Too much time? Use the pop-up diorama. Print 1 piece of cardstock with the background and color. Cut 3 pieces of cardstock, perhaps light blue but any color, like a frame with 1-inch borders. Take the centers you removed and fold them like fans and glue to short sides, adding one level at a time. Cut out Daniel and Habakkuk from the icon picture and glue on different levels. Color and cut out lions and glue on. Don’t forget to glue the clouds in the sky!
6. Close with prayer.
