Living In The Lion's Den: Part 1 - Identity Theft
MICRO CHURCH GUIDE
September 17, 2023
Sermon Page
YouVersion
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fall Night of Worship - September 27
OneLifer's, mark your calendars for Wednesday night, September 27th at 6:30pm for our Fall Night of Worship. Both campuses will join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a special message from Pastor Rodney. Plus, since it’s the fall season, outside after the service we'll have several fire pits & s’mores, hot chocolate, and some fun stuff for the kids! Childcare will be available for 2nd Grade and younger. We can’t wait to see you then!
Child Dedications, October 15
The partnership between the Church and the family is vital! For families with younger children, we're having a special Child Dedication service to commit to this partnership publicly. It'll take place Sunday, October 15th at 12:15pm after the second service. We will have a parent meeting via zoom on Sunday, October 1st. For more information or to sign up, mark the Child Dedications box on your Connection Card.
Join a Volunteer Team
There’s never been a better time to join a OneLife volunteer team than right now. From our Kid City team, to First Impressions & Security, to Production & Worship, OneLife Students on Wednesdays, and our Connections Team during the week - there are tons of opportunities for you to get involved. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
___________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
Daniel 1:1 NLT
1 During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
Daniel 1:2 NLT
2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.
Daniel 1:3-5 NLT
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.
Daniel 1:15-19 NLT
15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. 17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. 18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service.
START TALKING
Have you ever had your identity stolen in some way like having your debit card hacked or someone impersonate you? Have you known someone who did? How did it feel? Why was it so frustrating or difficult?
START THINKING
Read Daniel 1:1-5. Why do you think the King wanted them to learn the language and literature of Babylon? And if they were already well educated, why did he want them to be re-educated?
Read Daniel 1:6-7. "Daniel" means "God is my judge." "Belteshazzar" means "Bel's prince." (Bel was a god of the Babylonians) "Hananiah" means "Beloved of the Lord" while "Shadrack" means "Illumined by the Sun god." "Mishael" means "One who is as God" while Meshach is "Like unto Venus" and Azariah means "the Lord is my help" while "Abednego" means "the servant of the Nego" Why do you think these new names were chosen? What do you think it would have felt like to have such godly names changed?
START SHARING
What do you think it means to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to this world, as Jesus taught the disciples to do and to pray for? How have you experienced that culture being attacked and warred against? What are ways that the culture of Jesus is so different than the world we live in that it can be confusing at times?
What is a label that you find yourself believing that is different than who God says that you are? It may even be a good label, but it is temporary and will not always satisfy. It may be a negative label and you find it paralyzing or limiting. How can we fight to only be identified by the labels that God gives us? What are those labels? Share the verses that may come to mind that go along with those labels.
START DOING
Read Daniel 1:8-16. What was the bold step Daniel took and why was it bold? What would it look like for you to take a step of boldness like this? What do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to do that might be counter cultural or require bold faith to trust him?
Daniel used a strategy of testing to prove God to the chief of staff. How can you use this same strategy as you pursue God's calling and purpose for you?
The result of Daniel's bold faith is that his three friends were also impacted by their true identity. How does this apply to you as well when you think about the people that will be affected if you trust God and follow His purpose for you? Who are the people where you live, work, and play that could also experience the truth of God's Kingdom if you were to guard your identity in this way? How will they experience it?
START PRAYING
Pray for each other regarding the answers to those last few questions. Commit to pray for each other this week, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable to take the steps that you feel like the Holy Spirit is leading you to take.
____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
September 17, 2023
Sermon Page
YouVersion
_____________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fall Night of Worship - September 27
OneLifer's, mark your calendars for Wednesday night, September 27th at 6:30pm for our Fall Night of Worship. Both campuses will join together at our East campus for an extended time of music, prayer, communion, and a special message from Pastor Rodney. Plus, since it’s the fall season, outside after the service we'll have several fire pits & s’mores, hot chocolate, and some fun stuff for the kids! Childcare will be available for 2nd Grade and younger. We can’t wait to see you then!
Child Dedications, October 15
The partnership between the Church and the family is vital! For families with younger children, we're having a special Child Dedication service to commit to this partnership publicly. It'll take place Sunday, October 15th at 12:15pm after the second service. We will have a parent meeting via zoom on Sunday, October 1st. For more information or to sign up, mark the Child Dedications box on your Connection Card.
Join a Volunteer Team
There’s never been a better time to join a OneLife volunteer team than right now. From our Kid City team, to First Impressions & Security, to Production & Worship, OneLife Students on Wednesdays, and our Connections Team during the week - there are tons of opportunities for you to get involved. Mark the Volunteering box on your Connection Card to get started!
Baptism
If you’ve given your life to Jesus but haven’t gone public with your story through baptism then it’s time to take that step! Mark the baptism box on your Connection Card and we’ll help you get started.
___________________
GIVE BACK
Give Jesus your best! Make a one-time tithe or offering or to set up a recurring tithe or offering: Click Here To Give Online.
_____________________
Bottom Line: Guarding my heart will guard my identity.
Daniel 1:1 NLT
1 During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
Daniel 1:2 NLT
2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.
Daniel 1:3-5 NLT
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.
Culture wars are designed to confuse me.
Daniel 1:6-7 NLT
6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:Daniel was called Belteshazzar.Hananiah was called Shadrach.Mishael was called Meshach.Azariah was called Abednego.
6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:Daniel was called Belteshazzar.Hananiah was called Shadrach.Mishael was called Meshach.Azariah was called Abednego.
Labels are not my identity.
Daniel 1:8-10 NLT
8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”
8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”
Daniel 1:15-19 NLT
15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. 17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. 18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service.
Boldness is rewarded.
____________________START TALKING
Have you ever had your identity stolen in some way like having your debit card hacked or someone impersonate you? Have you known someone who did? How did it feel? Why was it so frustrating or difficult?
START THINKING
Read Daniel 1:1-5. Why do you think the King wanted them to learn the language and literature of Babylon? And if they were already well educated, why did he want them to be re-educated?
Read Daniel 1:6-7. "Daniel" means "God is my judge." "Belteshazzar" means "Bel's prince." (Bel was a god of the Babylonians) "Hananiah" means "Beloved of the Lord" while "Shadrack" means "Illumined by the Sun god." "Mishael" means "One who is as God" while Meshach is "Like unto Venus" and Azariah means "the Lord is my help" while "Abednego" means "the servant of the Nego" Why do you think these new names were chosen? What do you think it would have felt like to have such godly names changed?
START SHARING
What do you think it means to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to this world, as Jesus taught the disciples to do and to pray for? How have you experienced that culture being attacked and warred against? What are ways that the culture of Jesus is so different than the world we live in that it can be confusing at times?
What is a label that you find yourself believing that is different than who God says that you are? It may even be a good label, but it is temporary and will not always satisfy. It may be a negative label and you find it paralyzing or limiting. How can we fight to only be identified by the labels that God gives us? What are those labels? Share the verses that may come to mind that go along with those labels.
START DOING
Read Daniel 1:8-16. What was the bold step Daniel took and why was it bold? What would it look like for you to take a step of boldness like this? What do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to do that might be counter cultural or require bold faith to trust him?
Daniel used a strategy of testing to prove God to the chief of staff. How can you use this same strategy as you pursue God's calling and purpose for you?
The result of Daniel's bold faith is that his three friends were also impacted by their true identity. How does this apply to you as well when you think about the people that will be affected if you trust God and follow His purpose for you? Who are the people where you live, work, and play that could also experience the truth of God's Kingdom if you were to guard your identity in this way? How will they experience it?
START PRAYING
Pray for each other regarding the answers to those last few questions. Commit to pray for each other this week, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable to take the steps that you feel like the Holy Spirit is leading you to take.
____________________
CONNECTION CARDS
Be sure to fill out the online Connection Card to let us know next steps, prayer requests, or other information you'd like to share, click here.
_____________________
MULTIPLICATION
Share spiritual/missional conversations you've had where you live, work, and play:
- Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
- What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
- How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
- How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
- Who in your life do you think could be disciple-able or open to spiritual/missional conversations?
_____________________
WHAT'S NEXT?
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?/giveback/giveback
- Discuss the next step for your micro church. When will we gather again, and which purpose will it fulfill (missions, fellowship/care, growth, worship, multiplication)?
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