Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults

Listen to this week’s leader training podcast with Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults, for a summary and guidance in leading your group.

This week’s additional resources for study and preparation:

• Article: “Daniel’s Vision of the Son of Man” by Keith Mathison
• Sermon: “The Superior Kingdom” by Voddie Baucham
• Sermon: “The Test of History” by Mark Cirricione

Transcript of Leader Training Podcast:

Hi, this is Y Bonesteele, team leader of the Gospel Project for Adults. Welcome to another Leader Training Podcast. Today we are in Unit 16, Session 4, Dominion, with the core passage of Daniel 7:2-14 and the key concept of God will establish His forever kingdom through Jesus Christ, the Son of Man.

Now, I know we’re a chronological study, but the book of Daniel is broken up into narrative in the first half and then visions in the second, although those visions happen back in the narrative. Within the narrative, the writer is establishing the good character of Daniel and the almighty power of God working in tandem with Daniel’s faith. Both of these things set up the validity of the visions coming in these latter chapters of the book. So Chapter 7 is the vision that belongs chronologically back before King Darius, under King Belshezzar’s rule, right between chapter 4 and chapter 5. But the narrative had to be established first to gain the understanding that Daniel was faithful and was God’s prophet and mouthpiece, giving warning and hope to both the Israelites in captivity and the foreign nations that held them.

So starting in verse 1 of chapter 7, it was “the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon,” some commentators dating it at around 553 BC. As The Gospel Project Commentary notes on page 48, “Daniel 7 is the only vision in the book of Daniel that came to him through a dream (v. 1) and the only one that came at night (v. 2). Daniel 7:1-14 records the vision’s primary details, whereas Daniel 7:15-28 records an explanation of the vision’s details. Scholars have also noted the similarities between the vision of Daniel 7 and King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue in Daniel 2. Much of our understanding of our focal passage comes from Daniel 2:31-45 and 7:15-28.”

Through this first set of verses, we see Daniel describing 4 huge beasts coming out of the sea. The Leader Guide and Commentary do a thorough job of summarizing and explaining these beasts. As a refresher, the first is like a lion with eagle’s wings, the second is like a bear on its side, devouring prey. The third is like a leopard with 4 wings and 4 heads. And the fourth is like a monster of sorts with iron teeth, eating everything in its path, with 10 horns and 1 arrogant little horn, growing, with eyes and a mouth.

From Daniel 17:17, we know that these are four kings, or more specifically, kingdoms. Most scholars associate these kingdoms with Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. They are oppressive kingdoms that will bring terror and suffering to people. And this little horn in verse 8, seen coming out of the fourth beast, may represent a future leader, intelligent and conniving, coming out of the so-called modern world, boasting against God but charming among the world. He would come as the Anti-Christ, terrible indeed, but even still, has no power over God.

Why do you think Daniel’s vision represented kingdoms with beasts? The Leader Note on page 54 of the Leader Guide answers that, namely, to show the ugliness of sin. But it also shows a stark warning: these beasts are not only ugly, but powerful and ravaging and fearful. Without Christ on our side, they would be terrorizing!

How have you seen earthly kingdoms and nations devour people and display arrogance? Let’s just say over all of history, over every country, over every political party, no one is without sin or fault. Human nature’s capacity to sin over the desire for wealth and power is rampant on all sides. That’s why we don’t lean on government for our hope, though we engage in civil opportunities and do our best to make wise, discerning decisions. But ultimately, our hope is in God alone. Help your group not to get into politics but be reminded that no one party is our savior and is guilt-free. Our hope does not lie in politics, parties, or platforms. Our hope is in Christ alone.

And Daniel 7 continues to reinforce that idea, for even after describing these horrible beasts, hope arises. The Ancient of Days takes his seat and then one like a son of man arrived and was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom. And in the midst of that, the last beast was killed, and the others would eventually be killed too. The Gospel Project Commentary on page 54 states, “The period of time they had remaining is not stated, but it may refer to the great tribulation at the end of human history. The parallels between Daniel 7:10 and Revelation 7:9-10 are striking; perhaps Daniel and John saw similar visions.” The kingdom of the one like a son of man, in contrast, would be everlasting, not pass away, and never destroyed. This idea is repeated three times for emphasis. Be assured, God’s kingdom is staying for good.

So, what differences do you notice between the kingdoms of the earth and God’s kingdom? From this passage, one is ugly and horrid and ravaging and will one day end, whereas God’s kingdom is full of light and will last forever.

Jesus is this one like a son of man who will establish His kingdom forever. Jesus referred to Himself in these terms in Matthew 8:20; 25:31; and Mark 10:45. Through His salvific work, He calls a people to Himself, those who trust in Him, to be a part of His everlasting kingdom.

How can the promise of the kingdom of God help you respond faithfully to political turmoil and uncertainty today? We must remember that the kingdom of God is here, at least in part, as Jesus said many times. We live in the already/not yet kingdom and the promise of living in God’s kingdom is here. That means we live with the presence of Christ and the Holy Spirit in us, with God working in the world amidst the chaos. And we always trust that God is in control because He is. We live discerningly and with love and hope, being the hands and feet of Jesus, spreading the gospel of salvation for a world looking for hope and light. We look forward to the kingdom being completed with the return of Christ and Satan fully vanquished.

Onto the Group Experience then, start with the icebreaker of a vivid dream. Continue with the Context, mentioning how Daniel proved himself as a faithful man of God and mouthpiece for Him. He interpreted dreams for King Nebuchadnezzar and now God gave him a dream of his own. Recap asking someone to draw the vivid images of the beasts in this dream. Display Pack Item 7: The Son of Man reminding the group that though these beasts were horrible, hope came with the Son of Man.

Onto the Group Activity, first pass out Pack Item 8: Visions in Daniel to review the various visions throughout the book of Daniel, seeing the similarity between Daniel 2 and Daniel 7. Have someone read Daniel 7:2-8. Ask, “What would be your perspective on the world and its kingdoms if Daniel’s vision ended here?” Answers may include fear, dread, anxiety, or hopelessness. Remind your group that fortunately, the vision doesn’t end there.

Have someone read Daniel 7:9-14. Say that we know the Ancient of Days to be God and the one like a Son of Man to be Jesus. Ask the group to describe how Daniel describes the Ancient of Days and write it down in the space provided. For the Ancient of Days, 1) He is seated on a fiery throne, 2) He is clothed in white, 3) His hair is white, 4) thousands serve Him, 5) He judges, and 6) He destroys the beast. And for the one like a Son of Man, 1) He came with the clouds, 2) He came before the Ancient of Days, 3) He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, 4) for the purpose of everyone serving Him, and 5) His kingdom was everlasting. Mention how these descriptions contrast those of the beasts. Then ask, “How do these descriptions give us hope in this world of sin?” It reminds us of who’s in charge. That the Father, Son, and Spirit are at work and have never faltered. No one can destroy them or thwart their plans. They are worthy and holy and sovereign in every respect and we can trust that they love and care for their people.

Debrief with: How do the qualities of “the Ancient of Days” and “the Son of Man” help us? They are light, so lead us to truth when lies abound in our world. They are enthroned with power and glory and a kingdom, so we don’t put our hope in this world but on them alone.

Summarize and head into the Head, Heart, Hands section, focusing on the Head question if time is limited: How does your thinking about the world’s kingdoms need to change considering Daniel 7? If you are worried about the world and the nations in our current time, know that God reigns supreme and He is at work for His glory and His kingdom. Also, if you think things are great right now and you love the leadership in our world and have stuck to hope in current leaders, know that leaders rise and fall and they are never in full control for God is. Hope doesn’t last with governments and leaders. Hope lasts with the eternal Son of God and His kingdom.

Share the Next Steps as extra items to do and reflect on this coming week, and end with prayer requests and praises. And if time permits pray through Psalm 93. It’s a short Psalm but starts with: “The Lord reigns! He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, enveloped in strength. The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken.”

Hey thanks for joining me on another Leader Training Podcast. Write me at [email protected] and hope you have a great group time!