Unit 16 Session 1 - The Fiery Furnace

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In 587 B.C., the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem, and God’s people were exiled to Babylon where they would serve an enemy king for 70 years. (See Jer. 25:11.) Among the early exiles was a young man, Daniel, and three of his friends. About 20 years after arriving in Babylon, the three friends faced a test of their faith. King Nebuchadnezzar’s law gave them a choice: worship a statue (against God’s law) or face death by fiery furnace. (Dan. 3:6)

Three men from Judah—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—refused to bow down and worship the statue. They loved and worshiped the one true God. Only He was worthy of their worship. The Book of Daniel says that the Chaldeans—a group of astrologers and dream interpreters (see Dan. 2:2,4)—took this opportunity to go to the king and tell on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But not even the threat of death could convince the three friends to renounce their loyalty to God.

Help your kids consider the possibilities: God could keep the friends from being thrown into the furnace. Or, once in the furnace, God could keep them from being harmed. Or if they perished, God would receive them into heaven. The friends’ trust in God enabled them to stand firm no matter what—even as they were tied up and thrown into the fire.

Then something miraculous happened. Nebuchadnezzar saw four men in the fire! They were walking around, unharmed! The Lord not only rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, He was with them.

On the cross, people mocked Jesus: “He saved others, but he cannot save himself!” (Mark 15:31). Jesus was not physically unable to save Himself. He chose to do His Father’s will, and His love for sinners kept Him there. Jesus chose not to save Himself so that He could save others.

God was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire. Only He could rescue them. God rescues us too, through His Son, Jesus. Only Jesus can save us from our sin. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided the way for us to be rescued from sin and have eternal life.

Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.

FAMILY STARTING POINTS

  • Babies and Toddlers

    • We can talk to God.

    • Jesus rescues us so we can be with God forever.

    • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego loved only God.

    • God kept them safe from the fire. Only Jesus rescues us from our wrong choices.

  • Preschool

    • Why do we pray? We pray because we trust God, and we know He hears us.

    • God saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire.

  • Kids

    • Why do we pray? We pray because we trust God, and we know He hears us. God delivered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the king.

Cody CollmenterUnit 16