Daniel 6:1-28
Key Verse: 6:10
" Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

* THE KING'S DECREE (1-9)

1. Read verses 1-3. How did King Darius organize his empire? What was Daniel's position in this new government? How and why did the king plan to promote him?

2. Read verse 4-5. Why did the other administrators and satraps try to find grounds to bring charges against him? Why could they find none? What conclusion did they reach?

3. Read verses 6-9. What was the decree they persuaded the king to issue? Why could the king be persuaded to issue such a decree? Why put it into writing "according to the laws of the Medes and Persians"?

* DANIEL IS SAVED FROM THE LIONS (10-28)

4. Read verse 10. When Daniel heard about this decree, what did he do? How was Daniel's uncompromising stand consistent with his previous decisions and actions? (1:8, 2:28, 4:27; 5:22, 6:10) What might have been his prayer topic?

5. Read verses 11-17. What was the king's reaction when Daniel's enemies went as a group and reported his disobedience? Why could he not change his foolish law? What did he finally do?

6. Read verses 17-18. What was the king's only hope? (16) How did he spend the night?(18) Read verse 19-23. What did the king do at the first light of dawn? What was Daniel's testimony?

7. Read verse 24-28. What happened to Daniel's enemies? What had King Darius learned about God? (25-27) What can we learn in this chapter about faith and prayer?