Hope for the Final Push - Daniel 12

Daniel 12: Hope for the Final Push

Big Idea: Hope in the face of calamity is possible because resurrection to eternal life for God’s people is promised and evil is only temporary.

Aim: Go on our way faithfully in hope, certain of our resurrection and that evil is temporary.

1.            Resurrection Life is Promised (vv. 1-4)

2.            Evil is only temporary (vv. 5-13)

Questions for us:

• Can you think of any situations where hope has kept you going through difficulty? What was that hope based on?
• What does Paul teach us about hope in Colossians 1:3-5? How are faith, hope, and love related?
• Daniel was told that things were going to get worse for God’s people (vv. 1, 7). What are our expectations for our lives? Are they realistic?
• How should verses 1-4 give us hope in a worsening situation? How might these verses be precious to persecuted Christians around the world?
• How might a stronger hope in the resurrection move you to faith and love today?
• Not all will be raised to everlasting life (v. 2). How should the reality of eternal shame and contempt move us to live?
• Daniel had been rescued from the lions’ den; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the fiery furnace, but does God promise to rescue us from all troubles? How does hope in resurrection life equip us to face our difficulties?
• How should the numbers the Heavenly Commander tells Daniel give us hope?
• Where might we be tempted to live as if evil, suffering, or opposition are permanent? What difference does it make to know they are only temporary?
• How might knowing that evil is temporary be precious to persecuted Christians around the world?
• Can you think of one practical way this hope will cause you to press on in mission this week?