Lesson 4 (Jan 18-24), From Furnace to Palace

Would it have been better for the three Hebrews to have reported sick rather than go the place of testing? 

The Golden Image

1. How can we know when a dream is from God?
2. On what basis do we claim that Nebuchadnezzar constructed the image fully of gold to counter the image of his dream which had only the head of gold?
3. Was the image of gold a result of the pride of Nebuchadnezzar?
4. Why would the king have wanted everyone to bow down before the image? What would that signify?

The Call to Worship

1. Why did the king make a provision for a furnace? Whom could he have had in mind?
2. Why were musical instruments involved in the call to worship?
3. What if any is the connection of the image to the number 666? Are we justified in associating Babylon with the number?

The Test of Fire

1. What could have been the objective of the whole exercise at the plain of Dura with the image?
2. Would it have been wrong for the three Hebrews to bow down in front of the image and pray to their God Yahweh privately?
3. Why couldn't the Hebrews explain their allegiance to the King despite not bowing before the image?

The Fourth Man

1. Why do you think God decided to join the Hebrews in the fire besides keeping them from getting burnt?
2. How could the king have felt that the fourth person looked like the son of God?
3. Why does God allow some martyrs to die while delivering others?

The Secret of Such a Faith

1. How do some develop such a strong faith while others fail?
2. Would God have forgiven anyone for bowing before the image to save their lives, if they repented afterwards?
3. Where was Daniel?