Grow Group Questions • Citizen Exile • Daniel 4
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Conversation Starter/Questions (10-15 minutes)
Some of us might be more familiar with King Nebuchadnezzar than others. What do you know about King Nebuchadnezzar or the Babylonian Empire that stands out to you, either through outside historical accounts or through your study of the Bible?
Based on what we’ve learned over the past few weeks in this sermon series, describe in one sentence what it means to you to be a “Citizen Exile.”
Because Daniel chapter 4 is a bit longer we were unable to read through the story on Sunday. Take a few moments before starting into the questions to read through all of Daniel 4 as a group before starting discussion. (Note: Pastor David was using the CSB version this week)
Sermon Based Questions (15-20 minutes)
What stands out to you most in this story or about King Nebuchadnezzar?
What particular themes do you see recurring in this story (there are several you might see)?
Pastor David mentioned the latter part of Daniel 4:25 and 4:32 as a theme God wanted both Nebuchadnezzar and us to see “acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants.” Why would God make this the one thing he wanted Nebuchadnezzar to understand and live out?
Why is this important for you to understand this as a Citizen Exile and how can you live it out?
Practically as Citizen Exiles, how does this call from God dictate how we should see and respond to those in political leadership that we disagree with, or think should not be in office
Read 1 Peter 2:17 as an example of living this out (try reading it in a few different translations). Let’s be honest: Based on this story and 1 Peter, how are you doing at being an example to those in your life that you believe this and see that “the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants”?
Digging Deeper (15-20 minutes)
Why do you think God gave a dream to Nebuchadnezzar telling him what he was going to do? What does this tell you about God?
Historically Nebuchadnezzar was a pretty violent conqueror who often showed little mercy to those he defeated. What does this tell us about God that he would provide a way to restore Nebuchadnezzar back as king after he acknowledged God? What does it tell you about what God does in your life?
It is easy to want to identify with Daniel in this story, but let’s reflect for a moment on Nebuchadnezzar and get a little more real. Even though we believe in God and his authority in what ways can we find ourselves thinking or acting like Nebuchadnezzar in our daily lives by struggling to acknowledge God by: relying on our own power, thinking we have control, or wanting to make things about us and our desires or glory?
Would you be willing to share the one you are struggling with the most right now? What ways might God be asking you to “acknowledge Him” more in your life right now?
Challenge and Prayer (10-15 minutes)
After sharing where we find ourselves struggling and looking more like Nebuchadnezzar, take time to pray for each person over for the area they shared. Maybe have each person pray for the person on their left, or this might be a good night to break up into separate groups of women and men and share a little more details before praying for each other.
After doing this first prayer time, if you have time, consider praying for our church to be an example of how to live out as examples, no matter who is president, that we really believe Daniel 4:25 & 32; that we truly believe and “acknowledge that the Most High is ruler over human kingdoms, and he gives them to anyone he wants”
OR
Make this a commitment to be praying for as a group this week in our own time with God.
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