Daniel: The Subtle Signs Of Our Changing Culture (Week 2)

Preacher: Daniel Erasmus

Worship:
As you spend time in worship this week, listen to the song Trust In God by Elevation Worship. Reflecting on the lyrics of the song, ponder on how even though culture may try to move us from God, when we put our faith in Him, He will never fail us.

Check-in:
Share with the group if and how you were able to share the truth of the gospel with grace this past week.

Synopsis of message: The subtle signs of our changing culture
All around us, we can see the effects of people walking outside of God’s will and God’s way. Pastor Daniel shared three ways how we as Christians should respond appropriately to a shifting culture, just like Daniel and his friends did:

1. When culture tries to confuse our identity, we must know who we are. (Jeremiah 1: 5)
2. When culture tries to compromise our standards, we must know what we believe. (Joshua 24: 14–15)
3. When culture tries to test our faith, we must learn how to stand firm. (1 Corinthians 16: 13–14)

Pastor Daniel also taught us how we should stand as Christians:

1. We must stand in prayer. (Ephesians 6: 11–14)
2. We must stand for the work of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15: 58)
3. We must stand for God. (Matthew 10: 32)

In conclusion, we were encouraged with the words “When I stand, Jesus stands with me”.

Discussion questions:

1. Reflect on how you have been responding to the culture that we are living in today. Do you set the temperature or do you fit in with the culture of the world?
2. Share with the group which cultural standpoint you’ve been struggling with recently. Do you struggle to know your identity in comparison to what culture is telling you? Are you struggling to uphold what we believe as Christians when culture tries to compromise your standards? Or, are you struggling to stand firm when your faith is tested?
3. Consider the steps you can take to stand firm and respond appropriately to the shifting culture we see today.

Additional resources:

• Thriving in Babylon (RightNow Media)
• Daniel: Faith in the Face of Challenges (bible.com)
• Stand: Courage From The Book Of Daniel (bible.com)
• The Daniel Dilemma (bible.com)
• Jesus in All of Daniel (RightNow Media)