Prideful people will be resisted and humbled by God.
Scripture: Daniel 5:1-8,22-30
Central Truth
What God has set apart as holy, or special to Him, should be treated as such. When people dishonor what God has deemed holy, they receive judgment as we see with King Belshazzar. When people act in pride, thinking they don’t need God or even worse, are the God of their own lives, God will show them who’s the One true God, and they will be humbled.
Key Question
What makes something or someone holy?
Keep in Mind
Students might misunderstand humility, thinking it means that they need to think less of themselves. While it’s important to acknowledge that God is holy and higher than us, it’s also important for students to understand that both humility and pride should be judged in relation to who God is. Humility means recognizing who God is and who we are in light of that. Far from saying, “I am nothing,” we are both saying “He is everything,” and “I am exactly who He says I am.” This could be a good time to point students to the truth about who God says we are. Here are some good passages to get you started: Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9; and 1 John 3:1-2.
APPLICATION
What are some practical ways we can exalt Jesus through our lives?
THE WIN
FOR THE STUDENT: Daniel didn’t just claim to follow God, he clearly lived his life all-in for God. Honoring Jesus isn’t just about your words, it’s about everything from your thoughts to the way you live. Just saying to honor God with all of your life can seem too general or vague, but Daniel shows some specific ways you can exalt Jesus with your life: know His Word; serve Him; think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, morally excellent, and praiseworthy (see Phil. 4:8); and give God the credit for every one of your accomplishments.
FOR THE LEADER: Through Daniel’s story, you should be reminded that a life of following God is a life of significance. No matter how influential you feel in the lives of students and in the world, God can use your faithfulness to make a difference for His kingdom.
