Daniel

Objectives:

Students should identify Daniel as a prophet and author of the book of Daniel.
Students should be able to tell the story of Daniel in the lion’s den.
Students should identify Belshazzar as the last king of Babylon and to tell the story of the handwriting on the wall and to name Cyrus as the Persian conqueror.

Possible Lesson Plan:

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, the king in the story of the lion’s den. Darius is known to students of Greek history as the Persian king who lost the battle of Marathon outside Athens. It was after this famous battle that the runner, Pheidippides, ran 26 miles to Athens to gasp out the news that they had won. He then died. To this day, a “marathon” is a 26-mile run.

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 “Daniel’s Lion”: Cut a lion head shape about 3x4 inches from gold felt or foam. Fringe it (same way as in Jeremiah’s girdle) all around with a brown mane. Draw in the facial features with marker, or use wiggle eyes and black-yarn whiskers.
Close with prayer. Pray especially to put God first in our lives, as Daniel did in his.