the pathfinder bible experience

North American

Division Pathfinder Ministries

A team Bible knowledge challenge for Daniel & Esther

The PathfinderBibleExperienceApplication Guide

2017/2018 Edition

Created by the North American Division Youth Ministries Department.

Bible Applications written by Scott WardDesign by Glen Milam PBE Logo designed by Ornan Anthony

Copyright © 2017 by the North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved. This book may be used and reproduced without permission from the publisher in local-church printed matter. It may not, however, be used or reproduced in other books or publications without prior permission from the publisher. Reprinting the content as a whole for giveaway or resale is expressly prohibited.

Additional copies of this resource are available from:AdventSource5120 Prescott AvenueLincoln, Nebraska 68506www.adventsource.org402.486.8800

ISBN# 978-1-62909-434-2Printed in the United States of America.

The Pathfinder Bible ExperienceContentsIntroduction for Leaders 3 How to Use this Resource

Introduction for Pathfinders 5About The Pathfinder Bible Experience 6Scripture 7 Translations Scripture Coverage Questions

Team Requirements 8

Preparation 9

The Program 11 Registration Levels How to Progress Event Dates

The Event 13 Event Flow, Play & Details Disqualification

Personnel and Their Duties 17Forms of Recognition 18 Certificates Medals & Bars

Travel, Meals, Insurance and Room Set-up 20

Application Guide 21-82

2017/2018 Edition

The Pathfinder Bible Experience2

The Pathfinder Bible Experience 3

Introduction for Leaders athfindersfromacrossNorthAmericaarecommittingtomemory

verses,chaptersandbooksoftheBibleaspartofThe Pathfinder BibleExperience(PBE).PBEisawonderfulstartingpointforBiblestudyandalife-changingrelationshipwithJesusChrist.Butmemorizationisjust the beginning.

The Pathfinder Bible ExperiencewasdevelopedtohelpPathfindersandyoungpeoplemeditateandreflectonwhattheBiblesaysandhowitappliestotheirlives.ItfeaturesideasforapplicationtohelpPathfindersusewhattheystudyandapplyittotheirdailyexperienceathome,schoolandchurch.

Thereare twoobjectives for thisguide:1)Pathfinderscan learnmoreaboutthepassages theyarestudyingaspartofPBE,examine their livesandgrowstrongerspiritually;and2)PathfinderscanusetheseguidestobecomeinvolvedinoutreachbyleadingoutinsmallgroupBiblestudieswiththeirfriendsandpeersinPathfindersoratschool.ThegoalistoseeyoungpeoplegrowspirituallybothintheirpersonalwalkwithJesusandastheyministertoothers.

This resourcehas thepotential to revolutionizePathfinders’ lives.Help themtakeadvantageofit.Useit.Gobeyondthereadingandmemorizing—godeeper.GetintotheapplicationandbereadytoexperiencewhatadifferenceGodcanmakeinthemandthroughthem.ShowPathfindersthattheydon’tjustneedtomemorizeScripture—theycanalsoliveit.

W.GeneClappNorthAmericanDivisionPathfinderBibleExperienceCoordinatorArmandoMirandaNorthAmericanDivisionYouth/YoungAdultMinistriesAssociateDirector

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PurposeThepurposeofThe Pathfinder

Bible Experienceistopromoteandencouragein-depthBiblestudyandmemorizationbyPathfinders,sotheirunderstandingofscripturewillincrease and their relationship to Christ will grow.

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

—Romans 15:4 (nKJV)


How to Use this ResourceKingDaviddidn’thaveaBibleandheneversatonahillsidereadingadevotionalbook.Heprobablycouldn’tevenread—andyetheknewGodaswellasanyonewhoeverwalkedthefaceofplanetearth.Infact,mostpeopleyoureadaboutintheBiblewereilliteratesotheymemorizedlargeportionsofscriptureastheylistened to it being recited by their parents and read by priests and scribes in the local synagogues and sanctuary. David learned to love the Bible through listeningandmemorizingitforhimself.ThroughoutPsalmsDavidtalksabouthowmuchhelovesthesanctuaryandGod’slaw—heevensayshemeditatedon it day and night.

ThemostimportantpassageofscriptureinancientJewishcultureistheShema:

Hear,OIsrael:TheLordourGod,theLordisone.LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartand

with all your soul and with all your strength.ThesecommandmentsthatIgiveyoutodayaretobe

on your hearts.Impressthemonyourchildren.

Talkaboutthemwhenyousitathomeand when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

When Pathfinders participate inThe Pathfinder Bible Experience they are followinginthefootstepsoftheancientIsraelitesandJesusHimself.Memorizingscripturelocksitintheirmindswherenoonecantakeitfromthem,butifalltheydoismemorizeit,itdoeslittlegood—theymustallowittoguidethemastheywalkthroughlifeeveryday.

ThisguidewillhelpPathfindersinthisjourneyofunderstandingscriptureandlivingit.Thechapterguidesarenotcomprehensive.Theydonotcovereverydetailofeachchapter—thatwouldtakeafewhundredpages.EachchapterguidechoosesafewkeypointstohelpPathfindersstartthinkingdifferentlyaboutscripture—togetbeyondmemorizationandontointernalization.

This booklet includes guides for each chapter featured in the 2017-2018Pathfinder Bible Experience.OncePathfindershavefinishedstudyingachapter,youcansharethecorrespondingchapterguidewiththem.AllowPathfindersto answer questions verbally or by writing their answers in a journal and then discussingthemwiththegroup.

MayJesusChristHimselfblessyourichlyasyouembarkonthisjourneytomakingGod’sWordalivingandvitalpartofwhoyouare.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

— John 17:17 (nKJV)

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets’ own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

— 2 PeteR 1:20-21 (nIV)

It is not safe for us to turn from the Holy Scriptures with only a casual reading of their sacred pages... Rein the mind up to the high task that has been set before it, and study with determined interest, that you may understand divine truth. Those who do this will be surprised to find what the mind can attain. The mind must be restrained and not allowed to wander. It should be trained to dwell upon the Scriptures and upon noble, elevating themes. Portions of Scripture, even whole chapters, may be committed to memory to be repeated when Satan comes in with his temptations.

— ellen G. WhIte Mind, CharaCter, and Personality,

Vol. 1, PaGe 95

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

— Psalms 119:105 (nKJV)


Introduction forPathfinders

athfindersfromacrossNorthAmericaarecommittingtomemoryverses,chaptersandbooksoftheBibleaspartofThe Pathfinder Bible Experience(PBE).PBEisawonderfulstartingpointforBiblestudyandalife-changingrelationshipwithJesusChrist.Butmemorizationisjustthebeginning.

The Pathfinder Bible Experience Application GuidewasdevelopedtohelpPathfindersandyoungpeoplemeditateandreflectonwhattheBiblesaysandhowitappliestolifetoday.ItfeaturesideasforapplicationtohelpyouusewhatyoustudyaspartofThe Pathfinder Bible Experienceandapplyittoyourdailyexperienceathome,schoolandchurch.

Therearetwoobjectivesforthisapplicationguide:1)youcanlearnmoreaboutthepassagesyouarestudyingaspartofPBE,examineyourlifeandgrowstrongerspiritually;and2)youcanusetheseguidestobecomeinvolvedinoutreachbyleadingoutinsmallgroupBiblestudieswithfriendsandpeersinPathfindersoratschool.ThegoalisforyoutogrowspirituallybothinyourpersonalwalkwithJesusandasyouministertoothers.

Thisresourcehasthepotentialtorevolutionizeyourlife.Gobeyondthereadingandmemorizing—godeeper.GetintotheapplicationandbereadytoexperiencewhatadifferenceGodcanmakeinyouandthroughyou.Youdon’tjustneedtomemorizeScripture—youcanalsoliveit.

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About the Pathfinder BibleExperience

he Pathfinder Bible Experienceisateambasedchallengethatteststhegroup'sknowledgeofsectionsofscripture.Eachyearanewblockofscripture isassignedandexcitedPathfinderscommit to immersingthemselvesinthosepassagesofGod'sWord.

TheninFebruary,aftermonthsofstudy,theygathertogetherwithotherteamsintheirareatotesttheirknowledgeagainstasetofquestionsdrawnfromthescripturestheyhavebeencovering.

Iftheyanswerahighenoughpercentageofthequestionscorrectly,theyadvancetoaconferencelevelevent,thenunionlevel,andfinallyadivisionlevelevent,typicallyheldinApril.

Eachteamcompetesagainstastandard,andallwhoperformtothedesignatedpercentageadvance.Meetingtogetheraddsasenseofexcitementandanadditionallevelofadrenalinethatspursparticipantsontohigherlevelsofrecall.Yetanyandallcanadvance,basedsolelyontheirefforts.

T


ScriptureTranslations •English:NewKingJames(ThomasNelsonPathfinderEdition

recommended) •Spanish:ReinaValera1995(RVR1995) •French:VersionLouisSegondenFrançais

Scripture CoverageTheNAD Pathfinder Bible Experience teamwill assignabook,booksorsectionsofbooksoftheBible,totalingbetween40and50chaptersperyear.The Pathfinder Bible Experience also includes the relevant introductory text in the SDA Bible Commentaryforthescripturescovered.

QuestionsThe questions for each level of The Pathfinder Bible Experience will be distributed by the NAD Pathfinder Bible Experience Coordinator to the appropriateindividualsateachparticipatingconferenceandunion.

AllquestionsarepreparedbypersonsappointedbytheNADPathfinderDirector.QuestionsaredevelopedfromthePathfinderEditionoftheNewKingJamesVersionoftheBibleandthelatesteditionoftheSDA Bible Commentary book introductions for the associated scriptural passages. Less than 10% of thequestionswillcomefromthecommentary.

Questions are written to stand alone and be able to be answered individually. Most require single word or short phrase answers. The Pathfinder Bible Experience doesnotusemultiplechoicequestions.Thereshouldbelimiteduseoftrueandfalsequestions.Questionsshouldalwaysincludethescripturalreference.

TheNADPathfinder Bible Experience Coordinator will coordinate the translation ofallthequestionsintoSpanishandFrench.

AllquestionswillbeinharmonywiththebeliefsoftheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

— John 17:17 (nKJV)

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets’ own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

— 2 PeteR 1:20-21 (nIV)

It is not safe for us to turn from the Holy Scriptures with only a casual reading of their sacred pages... Rein the mind up to the high task that has been set before it, and study with determined interest, that you may understand divine truth. Those who do this will be surprised to find what the mind can attain. The mind must be restrained and not allowed to wander. It should be trained to dwell upon the Scriptures and upon noble, elevating themes. Portions of Scripture, even whole chapters, may be committed to memory to be repeated when Satan comes in with his temptations.

— ellen G. WhIte Mind, CharaCter, and Personality,

Vol. 1, PaGe 95

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

— Psalms 119:105 (nKJV)


Team Requirements TeamsaremadeupoftwotosixPathfindersfromasingleclub.Clubsmayhavemultipleteamsparticipate,so

longaseachteamhasatleastfouruniquePathfindersoneachteam.

Teamsshouldbeascompleteaspossible.Forexampleaclubwouldnotbeallowedtofieldthreeteamsoffourparticipants,buttheycouldfieldtwoteamsofsixparticipantsfromthatclub.

Eachteamiscomprisedofthefollowing: •Twotosixcurrentlyenrolled,andinductedPathfinders.MayincludeTLT's. •ATeam CapTain •Uptofiveadditionalteammembers •Analternate •Anon-playingCoaCh

EachteamwillbemadeupofthesamememberswhobeganthePBEtestingattheArea/DistrictLevel.Ifaclubhasmultipleteamsandatoneofthelevelsoftestingaclubteamdoesnotadvance,nomemberofthenon-advancingteammaybeaddedtoorreplaceanyteammemberoftheteamthatdoesadvance.Noteammemberfromanysourcemaybeaddedtoorreplaceanyoneontheteamrosterafterthefirstlevelofofficialtesting,exceptinrareorextremecircumstances.TheConferencePBEDirectormustbeconsultedandwillbethefinalarbiter in those situations.

Team CaptainDuringplay,itisthedutyoftheTeam CapTaintolistentotheconsultationoftheteamandthendeterminewhatanswerwillbewrittenbytheteammemberwiththeanswersheet.ItisalsothedutyoftheTeam CapTaintodetermineiftheteamwishestochallengethedecisionoftheirGrader afterananswerisscored.

AlternateEachteamisencouragedtohaveanalternateparticipantreadytofillinifaregularteammemberisunabletoattendanevent,orbecomesillduringanevent.Thealternatemayalsoswitchoutwitharegularteammemberattheintermissionofthegame.Aswitchisonlyallowedonceperteam,pergame.

CoachAclubstaffmember,pastor,orcommittedparentactsastheteam'sCoaCh. Their role is to coordinate training andtomotivatetheteam.Additionaladultsarewelcometoassistwithtraining,butthereshouldbeoneofficialor“chief”coachperclubinchargeofcoordinatingthePBEeffortsoftheclub.

Uniform RequirementsAllteammembersmustbeinfulldressuniformasdescribedbythelatestversionoftheNAD Pathfinder Staff Manualinordertoparticipateatanylevelevent.Thisuniformnormallyincludes:dressuniformshirtwithproperinsignia,dressuniformpantsorskirt,authorizedsocksorstockings,authorizedshoes,Pathfinderbelt,Pathfinderscarfandslide,andPathfinderSash.

Board ApprovalAswithallPathfinderevents,thechurchboard,oraboard-appointedbody,mustvoteparticipationapprovalaswellasacknowledgementofthespecificeventdatesforinclusiononthelocalchurchcalendar.


PreparationDecide to ParticipateParticipation in The Pathfinder Bible Experienceshouldnotbemadelightlyoratthelastminute.Foryoutoachievethepurposeoftheevent,thePathfindersneedtohavemadeaseriouscommitmenttoBiblestudy.Tobefairtothem,thismeansanearlystartandthoroughpreparations.

InSeptember you need to be encouraging participation and promoting theevent.Studyshouldbeginsoonthereafter.

Clubstaffareencouragedtousetheselectedscriptureasathematicfocusformeetingworships,outreacheventsandotheractivitiesasthiswillhelpreinforcethecontent,aswellasconnectnon-participatingPathfinderswiththosewhoarestudyingforThe Pathfinder Bible Experience.

Practice QuestionsDuringthefalloftheyear,havevariousindividualspreparepracticequestionscoveringthesectionsofscripturefortheyearandtherelatedbookintroductionsfromThe SDA Bible Commentary.Askyourpastor,teachers,SabbathSchoolleaders,parentsandregularchurchmembers.Youmightevenarrangetosharepracticequestionswithotherclubsinyourareaorconference.

Questionsmuststandaloneandbeabletobeansweredindividually.Mostshouldrequire single word or short phrase answers. The Pathfinder Bible Experience doesnotusemultiplechoicequestions.Thereshouldbelimiteduseoftrueandfalsequestions.

Questionsshouldalwaysincludethescripturalreference.

Reading and MemorizationEachteammembershouldreadthefulltextmultipletimes.

Manyfindithelpfultobreakthetextintoseveralblocksandhaveparticipantsfocusonsmallersectionssothatyouhavetwospecialistsoneachthirdofthematerial,butmakesurethateachonecoversallofitaswell.

TheageofPathfindersallowsthemtobemastersofmemorization.Whileittakeslotsofwork,itisanextremelyeffectivemethodofpreparationforthechallenge.

ScriptureTherefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

— 1 CoRInthIans 10:31 (nKJV)

Sample QuestionQ:FromActs8:9,whatwasthe

nameofthesorcererwhoboastedthathewassomeonegreat?

A:Simon.


Audio LearningTheNKJVisavailablefromseveralcompaniesontape,CD,andasadigitaldownload.Listeningtothereadingscandramaticallyimproveaparticipant'srecall abilities later. They can be played in a vehicle while traveling to a campout,orasaworship,orevenonheadphoneswhiledoingchoresathomeorcommunityserviceprojectswiththeclub.

Theclubcouldalsomaketheirownrecordingsofthebookandsharethemamongsttheteammembers.

Dramatizedversionsarealsoavailable.ThesemakeitevenmoreinterestingandthePathfinderscanthenseetheversesintheirmindswhenthequestionsare asked.

Practice EventsDuringDecemberandJanuary,provideseveralopportunitiesforthePathfinderstopracticeagainstotherteamsfromwithinthecluborspecialpracticeteamsmadeupofchurchmembers.

HavethePathfinderstaketurnsactingasscribeandwritingouttheanswers.Youmayfindthatsomearemoreskilledatthisthanothers.

YoumaywishtogetotherPathfinderClubstogethertoholdpracticeeventstoencourage everyone to reach the highest level. This way you can share practice testquestionsaswellasgetafeelforwhattherealeventwillbelike.

Meeting FrequencyIftheteamistotrulysucceedtheywillneedtomeettogethermoreoftenthanforafewminutesduringeachweeklyPathfindermeeting.Mosttopteamswillneedtomeetseveralhoursaweekinthefalltostudytogether,andtwoorthreetimesaweekduringJanuaryandearlyFebruary.Theywillneedtocontinuetomeetacoupleoftimesaweekiftheywanttocontinueinfirstplaceatmoreadvanced levels.

Other Creative Ideas• Encouragetheteam—infact,theentireclub—toreadtheassigned

scripturesduringprivateandfamilyworship.• EnlistthehelpoftheSabbathSchooldepartmentstoplaygamesand

have activities that will cover the assigned scriptures.• Haveamockeventwiththeentirechurch.

Team SelectionAtsomepointinlatefall,theCoaCh,inconsultationwiththeclubstaffandtheinterestedPathfinders,willneedtoestablishspecificteam(s)thatwillparticipate.

Audio Bible SourcesCheckthesewebsitestofindaudioNKJVbibles.

adventistbookcenter.com

christianbook.com

amazon.com

biblebible.com

learnoutloud.com


The ProgramRegistrationIn early January the club should send their registration form to the localconference.

Yourconferencemaydetermineadifferentwaytoregister,ortheymaysendyoutheforminthemailorasane-mailattachmentinlateDecemberorearlyJanuary.

Levels Play takesplaceat four levels:area,conference,union,anddivision.Afterparticipationinthelocalareaevent,allteamsholdingafirstplacefinishadvancetothenextlevel.Afterparticipationintheconferenceevent,allteamsholdingafirstplacefinishadvancetotheunionlevel,andsoon.Thatmeansthatateamcouldparticipateinuptofourdifferentlevelsatfourdifferentlocations.

Area LevelConferences across the division use several different names and methodsof dividing their territory into smaller geographic regions.Somecall themregions,somefederations,somesections,butmostcallthemareas,sothatisthetermweuse.Arealeveleventsbringtogetherteamsfromwithinaportionofaconference.Obviouslyyouwantatleasttwoteamsandpreferablymoreinanareaevent.Ideallyanareaeventwouldincludetwototenteams,butitispossibletohavemore.

Withintheconference,therecouldbeasfewastwoareasormanyareas.Eachteamregisterswiththeconference.Theconferencecoordinatestherunningofarealeveleventsbasedonthenumberandlocationofteamsregisteredtoparticipate.

Theconferenceoracoordinatorarrangesavenueforeacharealevelevent.Ideally the location would rotate over the years to the various churches in the arearepresentedbytheparticipatingteams.Thisencourageschurchparticipationandaddssomehometeamspirit.

Single team in an areaInsomecases,theremightonlybeoneteamparticipatingfromanareainaconference.Ifthisisthecase,thenmultipleareasshouldbecombinedsothereareatleasttwoteamsintheevent.

Inextremecasesyoumighthavetojoinwithteamsfromanentirelydifferentconferenceoruniontocompeteatthislevel.

How to Progress 1.Ateamparticipatesinanarea

levelevent.Iftheyearnafirstplace standing they advance totheconferencelevelevent.

2.Attheconferencelevelevent,allteamsearningafirstplacestanding advance to the union level event.

3.Attheunionlevelevent,allteamsearningafirstplacestanding advance to the division level event.

4.Atthedivisionlevelevent,allteamsearningafirstplace standing will be acknowledged appropriately!

Notallteamswhoearnafirstplacestanding choose to go to the next level due to other obligations or to theexpenseoftravel.

FormsAllformsareavailableonlineatpathfindersonline.org click on PBE


Conference LevelAllteamswithfirstplacescoresareeligibleforparticipationintheconferencelevel event.

Alargeenoughfacility,suchasalargechurch,churchschooloracademythatiscentrallylocatedwouldbechosentohostthenumberoffirstplaceteamsthatwouldbeparticipatinginthislevel.Firstplaceteamsfromtheareadonotneedtoregisterfortheconferencebuttheydoneedtoconfirmthattheywillbe participating.

Single team in a conferenceInsomecases,theremightbeonlyoneteaminanentireconference.Inthiscasetheteamwillneedtomakearrangementstoparticipateinaneighboringconferencesothatthereareatleasttwoteamsintheevent.

Inextremecasesyoumighthavetojoinwithteamsfromanentirelydifferentuniontocompeteatthislevel.

Union LevelAllfirstplaceteamsfromtheconferenceeventareeligibletoparticipateinthe union level event.

A largeenough facility, suchas a largechurch, academyor college that iscentrally located would be chosen within the union to host the event.

AtthisleveleachconferencewillneedtoregistertheirfirstplaceteamswithThe Pathfinder Bible ExperienceUnionCoordinatorsoproperarrangementscanbemade.

Theremaybeanywherefromonetoseveralconferencesparticipating.

Ifthereisnounionyouthdirectortoleadoutintheprogram,thenoneoftheconferencedirectorsoraconferencecoordinatormaycoordinatethislevelsothevariousconferencesmayparticipateatthislevelandallfirstplaceteamswillbeabletomoveontothedivisionlevel.

Single team in a unionInsomecases,theremightbeonlyoneteaminanentireunion.Inthiscasetheteamwillneedtomakearrangementstoparticipateinaneighboringunionsothatthereareatleasttwoteamsintheevent.

Division LevelAllfirstplaceteamsfromtheunioneventaretheneligibletoparticipateinthedivision level event. Those attending the division Pathfinder Bible Experience haveplacedfirstinallthreepriorlevels:area,conference,andunion.Youcannotskipalevel;youmustparticipateatalllevels.EachconferencewillneedtoregistertheirfirstplaceteamsfromtheunioneventwithThe Pathfinder Bible Experience Division Coordinator.

Alargeenoughfacility,suchasalargechurch,academyorcollegewouldbechosen to host the event.

Official Dates for TestingAreaThefirstSabbathinFebruary

ConferenceThefirstSabbathofMarch

Union The last Sabbath in March

DivisionThethirdSabbathinApril

Thelocalconferenceandunionmayalterthedateforwardorbackwarda week according to their unique scheduling needs.


The EventThissectionoutlinestheorganizationalneedsandtasksofcoordinatorsatalllevelsofThe Pathfinder Bible Experience.

CoordinationSee The Program; Levelsonpage8fordetails.

Question DistributionParticipatingconferenceswillreceiveacopyofthequestionsintimefortheirarea and conference levels.Participatingunionswill receive a copyof thequestionsintimefortheirlevel.Eachlevelwillhaveanewsetofquestionsthatwouldincreaseindifficultyasthelevelsincrease.

Event Flow, Play & DetailsTimeslistedareapproximate.Remember, themoreteamsparticipating,themoretimewillberequired.

Event Preparation by the Event Staff - 1:00 pm 1.Arriveatthesitefarenoughaheadofthestartingtimetohavesetup

completebeforetheteamsarrive. 2.Confirmthatthebuildingisopen,lightsareon,temperatureisset,and

restroomsareaccessible. 3.Setuptheequipment. 4.SetupthetablesandchairsfortheQuiz masTer, Clerk and the three

appeal JudGes. 5.Setupseatingfortheparticipatingteams.SixmembersplusaGrader. 6. SetupchairsneartheteamsfortheirCourier. One Courierforevery

fourteams.

Event Preparation by the Team - times vary according to distance 1.Bedressedinfulldressuniform. 2.Arriveatthesiteontime.

Staff Briefing - 2:00 pm • The pBe CoordinaTormeetswiththeeventstafftoreviewpoliciesand

answerquestionsandhasprayerwiththem.

Team Check-in - 2:15 pm •Astheteamchecksintheyareassignedacircleofchairs. • They are given their answer cards and their pen. • They are introduced to the Grader •Teammembers turnoverallelectronicdevices,Bibles,andnotes in

theirpossessiontoclubstafforattendingparents.

Welcome - 2:30 pm • The Quiz masTer welcomesthegroupandintroducesthestaffandthe

participatingteams.

Equipment & Supplies NeededEach location hosting The Pathfinder Bible Experience event will need to havecertainequipmentandsupplieson hand. •Alargeprojectionscreen •AnLCDprojector •Acomputerloadedwith

MicrosoftPowerPoint,andapower cord

•APowerPointpresentationofthe proper level questions and answers

•Aprojectorstand •Atableforthecomputer • Cables to connect the

computertotheprojector •Atablefortheappeal JudGes •Threechairsfortheappeal

JudGes •Apodiumandmicrophone

fortheQuiz masTer •AtablefortheClerk (the

Quiz masTermayalsositatthe table rather than stand at a podium)

•Twochairs,onefortheClerk andonefortheQuiz masTer

•AstopwatchorothermethodofkeepingaccuratetrackofsecondsoftimefortheClerk

•100sheetsofpre-numberedpaperorcardstockperteamonwhichtheteammemberswill write their answers

•Amarkerperteamforwritinganswers

•AscorecardandpenforeachteamGrader

ScribeThe scribe is whoever is writing the answer to the question. Because therewillbeteammemberswhoaremostknowledgeableoverspecificsegmentsoftheBibleStudyBook,thepen/pencilandanswersheetmaybepassedtothatpersonontheteamtowritetheanswer.Itisnotrequired that the scribe be only one designatedpersonontheteam.


Opening Exercises - 2:35 pm • Prayer • Pledge and Law •PathfinderSong

Song Service (Optional) - 2:40 pm • Two or three songs

Instructions - 2:45 pm • The Quiz masTerreviewstherulesofplaylistedunderQuizPart1.The

rules should be projected on the screen while the Quiz masTer reviews them.

•Theyalsoreviewthegroundsfordisqualificationandexpulsionaslistedinthemanualandremindthemthatnooneontheteammayhaveanyelectronic device on their person during the event.

•RemindtheaudienceandtheteamsthatChristiandecorumisexpectedofallpresent.

Quiz Part 1 - 2:50 pm •Halfofthequestionswillbeaskedduringpart1. •ThefirstquestionisprojectedonthescreenandtheQuiz masTer reads

ittwice.IfthequestionisworthmorethanonepointtheQuiz masTer willannouncethepointvaluebeforereadingthequestion.Forexample,“Fortwopoints,nameAdam'sfirsttwosons.”

• When the Quiz masTer has read the question twice, the Clerk starts the stopwatchandrunsitforthedesignatedtimeforthatquestion.Duringthis time the teamdiscusses,determinesandwrites theanswer.TheCapTainmakesthefinaldecisionandtellsthesCriBe what to write.

•At10secondsfromexpirationoftimetheClerkwillcall“10seconds.”The sCriBemustwritetheansweronthepre-numberedpaperforthatquestion.

•Atexpirationoftimetheclerkwillsay“showyouranswer”,bywhichtimeThesCriBewillhavehandedthegradertheteamanswersheet.

•Answersmaybewrittenbeforetimeiscalled. •Afteranappropriatepauseofabout3secondstheQuiz masTer will

change the slide and read the answer twice. •AtthistimetheGraderwilldetermineiftheteamcorrectlyanswered

the question and writes the question score on the score card and keeps arunningtotaloftheteam'scompletescore.Iftheteamdidnotprovideananswerwhen“time”wascalled,theydonotreceivepointsforthatquestion.

•IftheteamfeelsthattheGraderscoredthemincorrectly,theysaytotheGrader,“Challenge.”TheGrader then takes the answer card and gives it to a Courier, who walks the card to the appeal panel. The appeal panel JudGesconsidertheansweranddeterminethefinalpointvalueoftheanswer,writingthescoreonthecard.Theirdecisionisfinal.Noadditional appeal is allowed. The Courier then returns the card to the Grader who adjusts the score per the appeal panel instructions.

Response TimingFollowingthesecondreadingofthequestion,theteamswillbegivenaspecifiedamountoftime,dependingonthepointvalueofthequestion,withoutregardtowhetherthetimeisfordiscussionorwriting.A10second warning will be given prior toexpirationoftime.Attheendofthespecifiedtime,timewillbecalled and the scribe will hand their completedanswersheettothegradertodeterminepointsawarded.Noadditionaltimewillbegranted.

Discussion/Responsetimesareasfollows:

1pt=25seconds2pts=30seconds3pts=35seconds4pts=40seconds5pts=45seconds6pts=50seconds7pts=55seconds8pts=60seconds


Regularplaycontinueswhileappealsarebeingmade. Gradersmaynotrefuseachallenge.

The appeal panelmaydenyateamtherighttoappealiftheteamisfelttobechallengingeverywronganswertheysubmit.Howevertheappeal panelshouldbeverycautiousintheirdecisiontodenyateamfurtherappeals,justastheteamshouldbereasonableinthefrequencyoftheirchallenges.

•AttheendofthehalftheQuiz masTerannouncesintermission. • The Graderwritesinthetotalscoreforthehalfonthescorecard.

Intermission - 3:35 pm •5minutes •DuringthistimetheGrader double checks the running totals. •Duringintermission,ateammaychoosetoreplaceoneoftheirteam

memberswiththeirdesignatedalternate.

Quiz Part 2 - 3:40 pm •Thesecondhalfofthequestionsareasked. •PlayproceedsinthesamemannerasoutlinedinQuizPart1. •Attheendofplay,theGraderwritesthesecondhalftotalonthe

scorecardandalsothetotalforbothhalves. • The Graderdoublechecksthesecondhalftotalandthefinaltotal. • The Grader then takes the score card to the Clerk.

Devotional (Optional) - 4:25 pm •A10minutedevotionalbasedonthesectionofscripturethatisbeing

covered. • This also gives the Clerktimetofinalizetheawards.

Offering (Optional) - 4:35 pm •ThecollectionofanofferingisatthediscretionofthepBe

CoordinaTor.Ifoneiscollected,thefundsshouldbeusedtodefraytheexpensesoftheprogramortoprovidetravelsupporttotheteamsmovingontothenextlevel.

Presentation of Awards - 4:40 pm • The pBe CoordinaTor or the Quiz masTer will present the awards

earnedduringtheevent.Everyteamreceivesanaward,asallarewinnersasthechildrenofGod.

•Tolessenthecompetitivespirit,exactpointsarenotgivenorstatedpubliclyduringtheprogram.Onlytheplacestandingsareannounced.

• Standings are announced by calling the clubs in alphabetical order andstatingtheirstanding.ItisPBEpolicythatspecificscoresarenever announced or released.

•Eachteamreceivesacertificateofparticipation. • Each individual participant receives a PBE pin with the year and

level.

Closing Prayer - 4:50 pm

Variations of NKJVThereareatleasttwodifferentmanuscriptsfortheNewKingJamesVersionoftheBible.Thevariationsareminorandinfrequent,buttheydoexist.Teamsareencouragetobring along the actual Bible with which they studied.

PathfindersshouldbeencouragedtousethelatesteditionofthePathfinderBible.

Language VariationsItisrecognizedthatsomeparticipatingteamsmayincludememberswithdifferentfirstlanguages.Ateammayansweranindividual question in whatever languagetheyaremostcomfortable,buttheentireanswerforthatquestionmustbeinthesamelanguage.Ifmultiplelanguagesare used, the answer will not be accepted.ThelanguageofthesubmittedanswerwilldeterminetheofficialBibletranslationusedtojudge the answer.

FormsAllformsareavailableonlineatpathfindersonline.org click on PBE

PBE PinsPathfinderBibleExperiencepins,year and level bars are available fromAdventSource at www.adventsource.org or402.486.8800.

Note: ThePBEpinsmayonlybepurchasedbyconferenceorunionleadership.


Optional Ideas •Arrangetohaveaphotographerpresenttotakehistoricaland

promotionalpicturesthatcanbeusedintheconferenceorunionpaperorwebsite.Youmayneedtohaveeveryonesignaphotorelease,thoughinmostcaseslikethisyouarenotrequiredtoasitisapubliceventandthephotoswillbeusedforeditorialratherthancommercialpurposes.

•Havecannedorlivemusicplayingintheeventareaastheteamsandaudiencearrive.However,sometimesthiscontributestoeverincreasing noise levels.

•Haveprogramsprintedthatlistthedetailsoftheevent,therulesandtheteamsparticipating.Youcouldalsolistthenextlevelevent,date,and location.

•Provideblankanswersheetstoaudiencememberssothattheycantesttheirownknowledgeofthescriptures.

Disqualification

Individual DisqualificationAteammemberwillbedisqualifiediftheyarenotwearingthecompletedressuniformoriftheyarenotqualifiedtobeateammember.

CoaChesaretoseethateachteammemberisinproperuniform.

Team DisqualificationBecausethesamequestionsareusedinallareas,conferences,andunions,teamsareprohibitedfromcommunicatingwithotherteamsinregardstoanyofficialquestionbeingusedandatanylevelofThe Pathfinder Bible Experienceprogramthatyear.

Ifthiskindofcontacttakesplaceandisdiscoveredtheteamwouldbedisqualifiedfromanyfurtherparticipationandwouldforfeitallstandingsfrompriorparticipationthatyear.

Eachteammembermustsignan Integrity Pledgeateachlevelaffirmingamongstotherthings,thattheyhavenothadusageofofficialquestionsexceptduringtheeventitself.TheIntegrity Pledge is available online.

Point Disqualification & Team ExplusionAnypointsearnedduringplay,whilebeingcoached,commentedto,orproddedbyanaudiencememberthroughanychannelormethodwillberevoked.

Asecondinstanceduringthesamedayofplaywillresultintheteambeingexpelledfromplay,andmakesthemineligibletoparticipateinanyhigherlevels that year.

Standings90questionswillbeaskedateachlevelofplay.Pointsareawardedforcorrectanswers.Rankings are established by gradingon the curve.Rankingisasfollows:

• Ascoreof90%orabove,ascomparedtothetopscore earned at the event, earnstheteamafirstplacestanding.

• Ascoreof80-89%,ascomparedtothetopscoreearned at that event, earns theteamasecondplacestanding.

• Ascoreof79%,ascomparedtothetopscoreearned at that event, or belowearnstheteamathirdplace standing.


Personnel & Their DutiesPersonnel are appointed by the pBe CoordinaTor forthelevelatwhichtheywillbeworking.Forexample,theConferenCe pBe CoordinaTor would appoint the Quiz masTer, Clerk, Graders, JudGes and Couriersfortheconferencelevel event.

Quiz MasterThe Quiz masTeractsashostandMCfortheevent,andreadsthequestions.Theyreadeachquestiontwice.ItisrecommendedthatthepBe CoordinaTor not be the Quiz masTersothattheymaydealwithissuesthatmayariseduringplay.

They can be the YouTh direCTor, ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor, a PasTor, an area CoordinaTor or even a loCal paThfinder direCTor.

ClerkThe Clerk,withtheuseofastopwatchorothertechnology,regulatesthetimeperiodwhiletheteamdeterminestheanswerthatwouldberecorded.ThetimebeginsafterthequestionisreadtwicebytheQuiz masTer.

The Clerkwillcalltheendoftimeloudenoughforalltheparticipatingteamsto hear.

The ClerkreceivesthecompletedscorecardsfromeachGrader and tabulates finalteamstandings.

The Clerk is appointed by the pBe CoordinaTor at each level. They should beanadultwithnospecificclubaffiliation.

GraderEachteamneedsanadultGrader.Theymustbefromadifferentclubthantheone they are grading. The GradershouldbeinclassAuniform.

The Grader'sjobistodetermineiftheanswergivenbytheteamiscorrectornot.Oncetheyhavemadethedeterminationtheyrecordthescore.

The Graderkeepstrackoftheteam’sanswerscoreandcumulativescoreontheteam'sscoresheet.

Atintermissionandattheendoftheroundtheywilldoublechecktherunningtotalforaccuracy.

It is also the Grader'sdutytowatchforinappropriatecommunicationbetweenteammembersandanyone in theaudience.Anypointsearnedduringplay,while being coached, commented to, or prodded by an audience memberthroughanychannelormethodwillberevokedbytheGrader, and reported to the pBe CoordinaTor.

PBE CoordinatorThepersonresponsibleforThe Pathfinder Bible Experience at each level is the pBe CoordinaTor.

Atthearealevelthiswouldnormallybe the area CoordinaTor or their designee. *

AttheconferencelevelthiswouldnormallybetheConferenCe YouTh direCTor, ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor or their designee.*

Attheunionlevelthiswouldnormallybetheunion YouTh direCTor, union paThfinder direCTor, union paThfinder CoordinaTor, their designee or a person appointed to that role by the ConferenCe YouTh direCTors in that union.

Atthedivisionlevelthiswouldnormallybetheapersondesignatedby the division YouTh direCTor.

The pBe CoordinaTors responsibilitiesare: •tooverseeorganization

ofatleastoneleveloftheprogram,fromregistrationthroughcompletion.Aconferencelevelcoordinatorwillmostlikelyoverseeallarea levels as well as the conferencelevel.

•toarrangefortheneededpersonnelinatimelymanner

•toarrangeforthemeetingvenue

•inthecaseofconferenceandunion level coordinators, to act as contact with the division pBe CoordinaTor

*IfaclubwishestoparticipateinthePBEprogram,buttheirconferencedoes not wish to participate, the club pBe CoaCh should contact the division pBe CoordinaTor directly forfurtherinstructions.


Asecondinstanceofcoaching,etc.duringthesamedayofplaywillresulttheintheteambeingdisqualifiedfromthatlevelandanyfuturelevelthatyear.

Specific issues of gradingAccuratespellingisnotrequired,buttheanswermustberecognizable.

AllanswersforquestionsmustbegiventotheGraderbeforetheanswersaregivenbytheQuiz masTer so they canbecheckedoffonebyone.

The Pathfinder Bible Experiencequestionsarenotmultiplechoice.Therefore,additionalanswersgivenbeyondthenumberrequestedarenotaccepted.Theteammustcrossoffanyanswertheydonotwantinthelistorthefirstanswerswillbetheacceptedones.

DirectquotesfromtheBibleandfill-in-the-blanksmustbeexactwordsintheexactorder.

Appeal Panel JudgeThree adults serve as appeal panel JudGes. appeal panel JudGes determinetheteam'sscoreforagradetheyhavechallengedonaspecificquestion.

appeal panel JudGesshouldbeindividualswithbiblicalknowledgeandakeensenseoffairplayandjustice.Pastors,churcheldersorBibleteacherswouldbeexcellentcandidatesforthesepositions.

Thepanelalsomeetsonehourbeforetheeventtoreviewthequestionsandconfirmthattheyareasclearaspossible.Ifthereisanychangemadeinaquestion,itmustbemodifiedontheJudGes printed question list AND theelectronicfiletheQuiz masTer uses.

Iftwolanguagesareused,thentheremustbeatleasttwojudgesperlanguageforatotaloffourjudges.Therecould be up to three judges per language.

Ifthreelanguagesareused,thenagaintheremustbeatleasttwojudgesperlanguageforatotalofsixjudges.There could be up to three judges per language.

Specific issues on judgingDirectquotesfromtheBiblewithfill-in-the-blankanswersmustbeexactwordsintheexactorder.

The judges are to uphold the answers given by the Quiz masTerforeachquestion.Iftheanswerisdifferentthanthe one given by the Quiz masTer,itcanonlybeacceptedifitisfoundtobecorrectintheprintedversionoftheNew King James Version, Reina Valera 1995, Version Louis Segond en Français and the SDA Bible Commentary book introductions.

CourierIncaseofachallenge,aCourier walks the contested answer sheet to the appeal panel JudGes. The pBe CoordinaTor will provide a Courier forevery four teamsor fraction thereof.Couriers canbenon-playingPathfindersorAdventurers.Oncetheappeal panel JudGeshavemadeadecision,theCourier will return the contested answer sheetbacktotheteamGraderforgradeupdating.

Song LeaderAsonG leader,pianist,guitarist,orpraiseteamtoleadashortsongserviceatthebeginningoftheevent.

Devotional SpeakerSomeonetogivea10minutedevotionalbasedonthesectionofscripturethatisbeingcovered.


Forms of RecognitionPinsEachparticipantwillreceiveaPBEpinwiththeyearandlevel.Pins,yearandlevelbarsareavailablefromAdventSourceatwww.adventsource.orgor402.486.8800.

Note: ThePBEpinsmayonlybepurchasedbyconferenceandunionleadership.

CertificatesEachteamparticipatingreceivesacertificateindicatingthelevelofplay(area,conference,union,ordivision)andtheirstanding(first,second,orthird)intheevent.

Thesecertificatescanbeprintedupbeforetheevent,exceptofcoursefortheirstanding.

Certificate SealThecertificatehasafoilsealthatisattachedattheendoftheeventtoindicatethestandingoftheteamatthefinishofthe level event.

Authenticating SignatureEachcertificateissignedbythepBe CoordinaTorforthelevelinwhichtheyareparticipating.

Atthearealevel,thiswouldtypicallybeanarea CoordinaTor, YouTh direCTor or ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor. AttheconferencelevelitwouldtypicallybetheYouTh direCTor or ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor. The union it couldbeeitherthepersoninchargeofPathfindersfortheunion,theunion pBe CoordinaTor or the union presidenT. Atthedivisionitwouldbethedivision pBe CoordinaTor, the division YouTh direCTor, or the division presidenT.


KeyQuizMasterClerkAppealPanelJudgeGradersTeamMembersCouriersAudience

Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5 Team 6

Audience at least 15' away from the teams

Appeal Panel

Screen

Quiz Master & Clerk

Additional NotesTravel & Lodging ExpensesTraveltoandfromtheeventlocationistheresponsibilityoftheclubunlessotherarrangementsaremadebyyourconference.Thereisapttobeeconomicvalueforteamstotraveltogethertounionanddivisionlevelevents.

MealsMealsfortheteamaretheresponsibilityofthelocalclub.Sometimestheeventhostchurch,cluborschoolwillarrangeafellowshipmealfollowingtheevent.

Attheunionanddivisionlevel,leadershipisencouragedtoprepareatleasttheeveningmealifnotlunchaswell.

Drivers & InsuranceAlldriversaretobeapprovedbyyourlocalchurchboardalsoandeachvehicleusedtotransportPathfindersistobeinsuredaccordingtoyourlocalconferenceguidelines.

Make It FunAsyouleadyourPathfindersintoThe Pathfinder Bible Experience, be sure to keepitfunandenjoyable.Thestudyofscriptureisseriousbusiness,butifyoubecomeoverbearingandilltemperedintheprocess,youwillnegatemuchoftheblessingoftheevent.

Typical Room Set Up


Application Guide for the Daniel1. Warm-up

Questionsforindividualreflection/smallgroupdiscussion.ThesequestionswillattempttohelpparticipantsrelateaspectsoftheirownlivestothelivesofBiblecharacters.Thiswillinvolvepersonalsharing.

2. Engaging the Chapter Thiswillincludesomediscussionofthechapterandoneormoreofthefollowing:

a.Enteringtheversesasaparticipantorbystandertohelpimaginethescene

b.Relevanthistorical/backgroundinformation

c.Reflection/discussionquestionsthatgodeeperintothechapter

3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life

a. Thought provoking application questions

b.Callsforcommitmenttoaction

4. Time of Prayer Mayincludeanyorallofthefollowing:Adoration/confession/requests/praises/silentprayer/conversationalprayer.

5. Outreach Ideas Somechapterguidesincludeideasforgettingoutsideofyourgroupandreachingtheworldaroundyou—that’showyouliveit!

Recommended Companions for this Series Andrews Study Bible,http://bible.andrews.eduAuthentic: Committed for LifebyScottR.Ward,(catalog#623935)www.adventsource.orgLiving It High School Outreach Resources for Pathfinders,http://livingiths.org/resources/pathfinders


Daniel Chapter 11. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Ifyouhadtobecapturedbyforcesfromaforeigncountry,whichcountrywouldyouwantittobe?

Why?Whatdoyouthinklifeincaptivitywouldbelikethere?Explain.

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b. Whatisyourfavoritekindofethnicfood(Mexican,Italian,Indian,etc.)?Whatisyourleastfavoritekindoffood?Explain.

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Whatwouldyoudoifyouwerestuckinacountrywhosefoodyoudidn’treallylike?Whatwouldyoudo?Whatwouldyoueat?

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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)

Background: ThisisoneofthemostfamiliarstoriesinalloftheBible.Asyoureadthischapteragain,trynottothinkofitasthesameoldstoryyou’veheardforyears.Trytofindsomethingnewinit.Whatdoyouthinkitwasliketobe“besieged”inJerusalem?HowlongdoyouthinkittookforthepeopleofJerusalemtorealizetheyhadnowayoutanditwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheirpossessionswereeithertakenordestroyed?Howdoyouthinkitfeltforthemtorealizethattheywouldbecomeslavesorbekilled?

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DoyouthinktheJewsknewtheywouldbecarriedofftoBabylon,ordoyouthinktheythoughttheywouldbeleftJerusaleminpovertyliketheSamaritanswere?Explain.

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WhatdoyouthinkDaniel’sparentstoldhimduringthebesiegementtopreparehimforwhatwascoming?DoyouthinktheyfeltlikeGodwasabandoningthem,ordoyouthinktheystillfeltthatGodwaswatchingoverthemandhadaplan?Explain.

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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)

a. Trytothinkofatimewhenyousawthatsomethingreallybadwasgoingtohappeninyourlife.Explainindetailwhatthiscomingtragedywasandhowitmadeyoufeelatthattimetoknowitwascomingandyoucouldn’tstopit.

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Oncethetragedyhadpassed,whatwasyournewperspectiveonit?Explain.

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HasthewayyouseethistragedychangedatallinlightofDaniel’ssituationandhowherespondedtoit?Explain.

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WhatnewthingdoyouthinkyoucouldlearnfromthestoryofDanielthatcouldhelpyoutobemorepreparedthenexttimeyouhavetopersonallydealwithadifficultsituation?Explainindetail.

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4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)

a. PrayandaskGodtoremindyoutospendtimewithHimeveryday,notonlysothatyoucanenjoyHispresencemore,butalsosothatyouwillbemorefullypreparedforwhateverdifficultsituationsyoumayneedtofaceinthefuturetoo.

b. Prayforpeopleyouknowthataredealingwithdifficultiesrightnow.PrayandaskJesustohelpthemtoseebeyondthehardtimesandtoknowthatabetterdaywillcome.Prayforthemtohavewisdom,peace,andagreatertrustinGod.

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Daniel Chapter 21. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Approximatelyhowoftendoyouhavedreams?Aretheyvividorhazyandhardtoremember?Whatis

themostmemorabledreamyou’vehadthatyoufeelcomfortablesharing?Describeitindetail.

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b. Haveyoueverseensignsoradvertisementsforfortunetellersorpalmreaders?Doyouknowanythingabouthowtheyclaimtotellthefuturebasedonlinesinpeopleshandsortarotcards?Explain.Doyouthinkthisisanaccurateandreliablewaytoknowwhatwillhappeninthefuture?Whyorwhynot?

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Background: InthischapterDanielfindshimselfinadesperatesituationwhereheneedsGod’shelpinordertosavehisownlifeandthelivesofhisfriends.ThewaythestoryistoldintheBible,Danielseemstoberathercalmaboutit.Doyouthinkhereallywasthatcalm,coolandcollected,ordoyouthinkhefreakedoutabitandwentthroughalotofstressbeforegoingtoGodwiththeproblem?Explain.

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WhatdoyouthinkitisthatdetermineshowquicklypeoplegotoGodwithproblemsversushowlongtheytrytofigureitoutthemselves?DoyouthinkitdependsonhowbigtheproblemisorhowclosethepersonfeelstoGod,oracombinationofboth?Explain.

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ItisinterestingtoseehowquicklyDanielgivesspecialthankstoGodforhelpinghimknowandunderstandthedream.ManytimespeopleforgettothankGodassoonastheygettheanswertheywantbecausetheyjustgetexcitedandforget.WhatdoyouthinkitwasthathelpedDanieltoremembertothankGodimmediatelyafterhereceivedtheanswertohisprayers?Explain.

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TrytothinkofseveralthingsyoucandotofeelclosertoGodandtothinkofHimmorequicklywhenyoufacetroublesinyourlife.Makealistofthreethingsyouwouldliketotry,andthenmakeplansforhowtoimplementtheminyourlife.

TalkoveryourlistwithsomefriendsoradultswhocanhelpyoutobesuccessfulinaccomplishingthewaysinwhichyouwanttotryandgetclosertoGod.


Prayoveryourliststogetherwithsomefriendsinasmallgroup.Writedowneveryone’slistsandrequests,andprayforeachotherandencourageeachothereverydayforoneweek.Attheendoftheweekcheckinwitheachothertoseehowit’sgoingandthensayaprayerofthanksgivingforthesuccessesyouarehaving.

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Daniel Chapter 31. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Haveyoueverhadtostandupinfrontofsomeoneinauthorityandtellthetruthaboutsomethingthat

happenedtoyouorsomeoneyouknew.Wasithardoreasytotellthetruthinspiteofwhatothersaroundyouweredoingandsaying?Explain.

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b. Haveyoueverbeenpressuredtotellalie?Haveyoueverbeenpressuredtosimplystayquietinsteadofspeakinguptotellthetruth?Howdiditmakeyoufeel?Explain.

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Background: Thestorytoldinthischaptersoundslikeanincredibleparty!Canyouimaginethethousandsofpeoplesurroundingthishugestatuethatthekinghadorderedtobebuiltinhislikeness?Wouldn’tyouimaginetherewerealsoothernicedecorationsandimpressivesurroundingsaroundthestatuewherethepeoplegathered?Thentherewereallthemusiciansplayingmusicandforsomereasonevenafieryfurnacepreparedto“encourage”thepeopletheretoworshipthekingandhisimage.

HowdoyouthinkitwouldhavefeltfortheaverageBabylonianwhowasthere?Doyouthinkitwouldhavebeenlikesomeofthepopularfestivalsofourdaywithsellingfoodvendorsanddrinksandotherthingsforpeopletoenjoy?Explain.

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Howdoyouthinkitmadethekingfeeltoseehissubjectsworshippinghim?HowdoyouthinkitmadehimfeelwhentheGodofthethreeHebrewsturnedouttobemorepowerfulthanhim?WhydoyouthinkhisangryarrogancesoquicklyturnedtohumilityandanordertoworshiptheGodoftheHebrewswhenhesawthathehadclearlybeenoutdone?DoyouthinktheannouncementtoworshiptheHebrewGodwasmadetotheentirecrowdofpeoplewhohadcometoworshiptheimage,orjusttothosearoundthefieryfurnace?Explain.

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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Trytothinkofatimewhenyouweresureyouwererightandwantedyourway.Whenyoufindyourself

insuchasituation,isiteasyorhardforyoutoadmitthatyoumayactuallybewrongwhenyoufindoutyouare?Whatdoyouthinkyoucoulddotobemoreopentoinputfromothersinsteadofbeingsosetinyourownwaysinthefuture?

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b. Doyouthinkyouwouldhavebeenabletostandupboldlyfortruthinthemidstofavastcrowdalldoingwhatwasexpectedbytheungodlyking,justlikethethreeHebrewsdid?Whyorwhynot?Makealistofthreethingsyoucoulddothatcouldhelpyoutobebolderinstandingupforwhatisright.

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PraywithasmallgroupandaskGodtohelpyoutothinkclearlyaboutthechoicesyoufaceonadailybasis.AskhimtohelpyoutobemindfulofwhatisrightthroughoutthedayandtogiveyouthecouragetostandupforGodandHisways.Remembertopraydailyfortherequestsmadeinyourgroupforthecomingweek.

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Daniel Chapter 41. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whoisthemostarrogantpublicfigureyoucanthinkoftoday?Whatdoesthispersondoandsaythat

makesyouthinktheyarearrogant?Doyouhaveanyideawhatmakesarrogantpeopleactthewaytheydo?Explain.

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b. Whoisthemosthumblepersonyoucanthinkof?Whatisitaboutthispersonthatmakesyouthinktheyarehumble?Doyouthinkbeinghumbleshowsstrengthorweakness?Explain.

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Background: InthischapterKingNebuchadnezzarhasanotherdream,butthistimeherememberswhatitwasabout.It’sinterestingthateventhoughthewisemenweretoldthedreamthistime,theystillcouldn’tinterpretit.Inchapter2thewisemensaidtheycouldinterpretthedreamifthekingtoldthemwhatitwas.Whydoyouthinktheycouldn'tcomeupwithanyinterpretationofthisdreameventhoughthekingwasabletotellthemwhatitwasabout?Don’tyouthinktheycouldhavemadeupsomething?Whyorwhynot?

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Doyouhaveanyideasastowhythekingdidn’tcallforDanielfirstinsteadoftheotherwisemen?Afterall,hewastheonlyonewhocouldinterpretthelastdream.

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ThischapterbeginswiththekingsendingamessagetoallhispeoplepraisingGod,andyetheisstillhumbledfor7yearsbecauseofhisarrogance.Isn’tthisopeningatributetoGodasignofhumility?Whyorwhynot?Explain.

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WhydoyouthinkittooksuchdrasticmeasuresforKingNebuchadnezzartolearnthelessonGodhadforhim?Explain.

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Thinkthroughyourlifeandthewayyoutreatothersandthewayyoutalkaboutyourself.Doyouthinkyoustrugglemorewitharroganceorlowself-esteem?Talkaboutthischapterwithaclosefriendoradultthatyoutrustandaskthemtobehonestwithyouaboutthewaytheyseeyou.Trytothinkofsomegoalstogetherthatwouldhelpeachofyoutobemorelikethepeopleyouwanttobecome.


PrayandaskJesustohelpyoutohaveahealthyself-imagebasedonHisloveandsacrificeonyourbehalf.AskHimtohelpyoutocontinuallylooktoHislifeasrecordedinthegospelsasamodelforyourlifetofollow.Chooseachapterinoneofthegospelstoprayoverandapplythelessonstoyourlifeeverydaythisweekforyourdevotionaltime.

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Daniel Chapter 51. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whenyouwerealittlekid,didyoueverwishyoucouldcomeacrosssomeincrediblemysteryandsolve

it?DidyoueverwanttobeadetectivelikeSherlockHolmes?Explainindetailthegreatestmysteryyoueverdreamedofsolving.

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b. Whatisthebesttrickyouhaveeverplayedonanyone?Explainindetailwhathappenedandwhatmadethe trick work.

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Background: Inthischapterwehavethestoryofanewkingwhodidn’tlearnthelessonsfromthehistoryofthekingthatreignedbeforehim.So,here,asGod’scondemnationisfallingonhim,DanielgivesBelshazzarabriefhistorylessonofwhatheshouldhavelearnedfromthelifeandtimesofNebuchadnezzar.

SincethestoryofNebuchadnezzareatinggrassforsevenyearslikeacowmadeitintotheBible,you’dthinkitwasalsoawellknownstoryoftheday,right?Wouldn’tthatbeprettyincredibletoknowthatthekingofyourcountrywastaughtsuchanamazinglessonforalltheworldaroundhimtolearnfromtoo?HowmucharrogancedoyouthinkittookforBelshazzartoignoreallthatrecenthistoryandgetrightupinGod’sface—sotospeak—bydesecratingthesacredobjectsfromtheHebrewtemple?ExplainhowyouthinkBelshazzarandhisonethousandfriendscouldgettothepointofhavingsuchadeliberatelydisrespectfulpartycompletewithdrinking,carousing,andwhateverelsetheycouldthinkof.Dowestillseethiskindofdisrespectattimeswiththechildrenofrichandfamouspeople?Explain.

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Thinkaboutsomeofthelifelessonsthatyouhavehadahardtimelearning.Thinkaboutsomeofthelifelessonsthathavebeeneasierforyoutolearn.Trytofigureoutwhathelpsyoutolearnfromotherpeople’smistakesaswellasyourown.Trytofigureoutwhatmakesitharderforyoutolearnfromotherpeople’smistakesaswellasyourown.Whenyouthinkyouarestartingtounderstandhowyoucanlearnmorefromlife,discussyourdiscoverieswithafriendoradultyoutrusttogettheirinputaswell.


PrayandaskJesusforthewisdomtolearnfromthepastandtodobetterinthefuture.TheBiblecallsthisprocessoflearningandgrowingspiritually"sanctification."LookupsomeBibleversesthatusethiswordandprayoverthem,askingGodtohelpyoulearnandunderstandandbecomemoreandmorelikeHimwiththehelpofHisSpirit.

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Daniel Chapter 61. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Trytothinkofatimewhenyoureceivedaspecialawardorhonorforsomethingyoudid.Howdoesit

makeyoufeeltohavesomeoneorsomegrouptellyouthatyouhavedoneagoodjob?Explain.

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b. Whatkindofawardwouldyouliketoreceivesometimeduringyourlifetime?APurpleHeart,NobelPrize,collegescholarship,promotiontoemployeeofthemonth,orsomeotherrecognition?Explainwhythisawardwouldbemeaningfultoyou.

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Background: ThisisanotherofthebestknownchaptersintheBible.ThestoryofDanielandthelion’sdenisoneofthefirstBiblestoriesthatistaughttochildren.InthisstoryDanielstandsoutfromtherestofthecrowdbecausehehaschosenhisownpathinlifeandisfiercelycommittedtowhathebelievesin.HeiswillingtofollowGodatanycost.

Wouldyouratherbeknownasa“HolyRoller”orassomeonewho“fitsin”withtherestofthecrowdandgoesalongwithwhateveryoneelseisdoing?

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HowharddoyouthinkitwasforDanieltostandapartfromeveryoneelse?WhatroledoyouthinkhisfamilylifebackinJerusalemplayed?

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Doyouthinkit’seasiertostaytruetothecultureyougrewupwithwhenyouarelivinginaforeignlandthatisverydifferentfromyouroriginalculture,ordoyouthinkit’seasiertoassimilateintothenewculture?Explain.

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Thinkaboutyourlifeandtrytodecidewhichcultureyourlifematchesupwithmore—theculturethatsurroundsyouwhereyoulive,ortheidealspiritualculturetheBibleteachesustobeapartof.HowhardisitforyoutotaketheadviceoftheapostlePaulwhoinstructsustobe“intheworldbutnotoftheworld"?

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MakealistofthreethingsyouwouldliketostartdoinginyourlifetohelpyoubemoreapartofGod’sidealculture as taught in the Bible.

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PrayandaskJesustohelpyouhavetheboldnesstostandapartfromtherestoftheworldanddowhatyouknowisright.AsktheHolySpirittoremindyoutoprayoveryourspiritualgoalsthreetimesperdayjustlikeDaniel did.

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Daniel Chapter 71. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whatisthemostconfusingriddleyouhaveeverheardthatyoueventuallyfiguredout?Whywasit

confusingtoyouatfirstandwhathelpedyoutofinallyunderstandit?Explainindetail.

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b. Trytothinkofsomeoneyouhaveheardaboutoracharacterfromabookormoviethatwasdifficulttorelatetountilyougottoknowmoreaboutthem?Whatitisaboutgettingtoknowsomeonethathelpsyoutounderstandthembetter?Explainindetailandgiveatleastoneexample.

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Background: ThischaptercontainssomeofthegreatestmysteryintheentireBible.Thefoundersandpioneersofourchurchwrestledwiththischapterformanyyearstryingtodecipherit,andpeoplearestilldisagreeingoveritandformingnewunderstandingofittoday.

Whydoyouthinkitissohardtounderstandthetypeofimageryusedinthischapter?

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Whydoyou thinkGodspoke toDanielwith imagesofbeastsandcreatures insteadofspeakingplainly ineverydayterms?

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DoyouthinkthereisanythingwecanstilllearnfromthischapterthatcanhelpusgettoknowGodbettertoday?Explain.

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WearegivencounseltospendmostofourBiblestudytimewiththeclearpassagesthatareeasiertounderstandandlesstimewiththesereallydifficultpassages.Whydoyouthinkthatis?Whatpercentagesoftimedoyouthinkshouldbespentontheeasyversusthedifficultpassagesofscripture?Explain.

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WhenwasthelasttimeyoutriedreallyhardtounderstandadifficultpassageofScripture?Whydoyouthinkyoustruggledwithit?

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HowmuchtimedoyouspendreadingmoreeasilyunderstoodpassagesofScripture?Whydoyouthinkthatis?

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ChooseoneeasypassageandonedifficultpassagefromthebookofDanieltofocusonthiscomingweekinyourdevotions.Tryspending75%ofyourtimeontheeasypassageand25%onthedifficultpassage.Makenotesaboutwhatyoulearnandthenshareitwithyourgroupthenexttimewithyoumeetandtellthemaboutwhatyoufound.

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PrayandaskJesustohelpyoufocusonbeingledbytheHolySpiritasyouchoosepassagesofScripture,andbesuretospendtimeinprayerbothasyou'repreparingtostudyandallthroughoutyourstudytimeeachday.AllthroughouteachdaythisweekaskGodforunderstandingandtrytoletyourmindwanderoffintothesepassagesasfotenasyoucan.Tryyourbestto"soakin"God'sword.

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Daniel Chapter 81. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Doyouhaveaworstnightmare?Haveyoueverhaddreamthatwassoscaryandhardtounderstand

thatitbecameverydisturbingtoyouandyouthoughtaboutitfordays?Explain.

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b. Haveyouevertriedtoimagineorcreatecreaturesoraworldthatnoonehaseverthoughtofbefore?Whatisthemostinterestingcreationyouhavecomeupwith?Explainindetail.

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Readtheentirechapterandthentryyourbesttodecipherverses23-26.IfevenDanielfaintedandfeltsickwhiletryingtounderstandthemessageinthem,howdowehaveachancetoday?Lookcloselyatthelastpartofverse26.

Amisunderstandingoftheprophecyinverse14ofthischapterledtotheGreatDisappointmentof1844.ItisaverycomplexprophecythatcanonlybeunderstoodinthecontextofmanyotherdifficultpassagesinDanielandRevelation.1844wasbackinthehorseandbuggydays—longbeforecomputersandbeforetherewasalotofinformationonthebiblicalGreekandHebrewlanguages.TheseprophecieswerestudiedextensivelybyChristianswhomostlyhadnocollegedegreesandverylittletraining.Whydoyouthinktheyweresointerestedinthedeeppropheciesliketheonesinthischapter?Whydoyouthinktheytriedtostudyitthemselvesinsteadofcallinginsomeexpertsfromauniversitysomewhere?Explain.

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DoyouthinkitwaseasierorharderforthepeoplestudyingDanielinthe1800stodependontheHolySpirithelpthemunderstandtheprophecies?Doyouthinkit'seasier,harder,orthesamedifficultyforpeopleofourdaywhowanttounderstandthebookofDaniel?Explain.

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DoyoutendtoreadtheBibleandjusttrytodecidewhatitmeansforyoupersonally,ordoyoutrytounderstandtheBiblemorebystudyingitwithotherpeople?Doyoueverconsultcommentariesandotherstudymaterials?

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ChooseoneofthechaptersofDanielthatwehavealreadytalkedaboutandreviewwhatyouhavelearnedfromit.Now,findsomecommentariesandbooksonDanielandreadwhatsomeprofessionalscholarshavelearnedaboutthepassage.Talktosomefriendsaboutwhatyoulearnandhaveadiscussionabouttherolethatcommentariesandotherpeople'sthoughtsonScriptureplayinyourspirituallife.


PrayandaskGodtohelpyoubeasthoroughasyoucaninyourstudyofScripture.AsktheHolySpirittohelpyouunderstandthedifferencebetweenBiblestudyanddevotionaltime.AskJesustohelpyoutoalwaysgrowinyourrelationshipwithHimasaresultofyourtimeintheBible.

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Daniel Chapter 91. Warm-up (5-10 min)

a. Haveyoueverexperiencedananswertoprayer?Whatisthemostdramaticanswertoprayeryouhaveeverpersonallyexperienced?Explainindetail.

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b. Whatisthemostamazinganswertoprayeryouhaveeverheardofhappeningtosomeoneelse?Wasitsomethingthathappenedtosomeoneyouknow,someonefromastoryyoureadinabook,orsomeonethatyourememberfromtheBible?Explainindetail.

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Background: InthischapterDanieldecidestointercedeinprayerforhisfellowHebrews.HeisprayingduringthetimethatIsraeliscaptiveinBabylonandJerusalemislyinginruins.TheBibletellsustheHebrewswereallowedtobecapturedbecausetheywerenolongerfollowingGodastheyshouldhavebeen.Now,manyyearsintothecaptivity,Danielfeelsinspiredtorepentandstartprayingforhispeople.

DanielwasoneofthegodliestpeopleintheentireBible.Thereisnorecordofhimmakingmistakesorcommittinganysin—thereareonlystoriesofhisgreatfaithfulness.WhydiyouthinkDanielprays"Forgiveus"and"wehavesinned"?Whydoyouthinkheisconfessingsinsthat—fromwhatwecantell—hedidn’tnecessarilycommithimself?Explain.

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ItseemsthatDanielbelievesthathisprayersactuallymakeadifferenceinwhatGodisabletodo,andiswillingtodotohelpHispeople.Doyouthinkthatprayerscanactuallychangetheoutcomeofthingssodramatically?Explain.

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WhydoyouthinkDanielisaskingforgivenessforwhatpeopleseveralgenerationsbeforehimdid?HowdoyouthinkthesinsofpreviousgenerationsimpactedthecurrentgenerationinDaniel'sday?Explain.

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HaveyoueverfeltGod’spresencecomeandfillyouorimpressyouorspeaktoyouwhenyou'vetakenspecialtimeforprayer?Trytothinkofanissuethatisonyourmindregularly.GosomewhereandfindaquietplacewhereyoucanintercedebeforeGodforthisissue.Setasidemaybe20-30minutestospendwithGodaboutthisissue.Spendthefirst5-10minutesexplainingyourconcerntoGodandthenspendthenext15-25minutesjustlisteningforGod’sreply.Trythiswheneveryouhavegreatconcernsandseewhathappens.YoumayactuallyhearGod’svoiceorfeelHisguidanceinsomewayjustlikeDanielandmanyothershave.


PrayasdescribedaboveasoftenasyoucanandlistenforsomekindofleadingordirectionfromGod.Hisdirectionmaycomeinvariouswaysincludingwiseadvicefromspiritualpeopleyoumayknoworclearerunderstandinginyourownheartandmindasyouprayovertheissue.Journalingyourprayerscanbeveryhelpfulaswell.

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Daniel Chapter 10 & 111. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whatisthestrangestritualorriteyouhaveeverheardof?Isitasecrethandshake,password,hazing,

orsomeothertraditionthataccompaniedasecretgrouporclub?Explain.

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b. What is themost interestingBiblical traditionorsymbolyouhaveheardof (baptism,communion,fasting,etc.)?Whyisitsointerestingtoyou?Explain.

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Background: In these two chapters we see one long narrative where Daniel continues to receive secret detailed messagesfromGod.WhydoyouthinkDanielreceivedmessagessoregularlythathewasabletowritethemdownordeliverthemtoothers?WhydoyouthinkthemessageswentthroughDanielinsteadofdirectlytothepeoplewhoneededthem?Explain.

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DoesthismakeDanielaprophetornot?Explain.

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DanielobviouslyhadagreatloveforGod’speopleandagreatdesiretoservethemandhelpthemtoknowGodbetter.Wheredoyouthinkadesirelikethiscomesfrom?Whydoyouthinkpeoplechoosetogivetheirlivestoservingothersinsteadofmakingmoneyandhavingfun?Explain.

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Verse12saysthatthewordsofDaniel’sprayerwereheardthedayhespokethemandhewasnowreceivingananswerbecauseofthatprayer.Doyouthinkwestillhavetoaskinordertoreceiveananswerorsolutiontoday?Explain.

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Verse14saysthatGodchosetorevealtoDanielsomethingthatwouldnothappenformanyyears?Whatisthepointintellingpeopleaboutfutureevents?Explain.

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Trytothinkofsomethinginyourlifethatyouwishwasdifferent.Notsomethingtooextreme,butrathersomethingthatcouldrealisticallychange.TrytothinkabouthowmuchtimeyouhavespentintercedingandaskingGodtohelpeachindividualinvolvedinthesituation.

Choosethesituationyoujustthoughtof,anotheroneinyourownlifeyoumayprefermore,oronefromthelifeofsomeoneyouknowwhoneedshelp.Writedownindetaileveryoneinvolvedandallthedynamics.NowmakealistthatwillhelpyoutoprayindetailforeveryaspectofthissituationandcommittoprayingatleastthreetimesperdayforGod’sbestsolutionratherthanyourown.


Start prayingnowand commit toprayingover the situation listed above for at least aweek—preferablymore—andmakenotesonhowGodacts.

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Daniel Chapter 121. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Doyourparentsevertellyouto“justdowhattheysay,”evenifyoudon’tunderstandwhy?Howdoes

itmakeyoufeelwhenthathappens?Explain.

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b. Howmucheffortdoyouthinkparentsshouldputintoexplainingthingstheywantyoutodoinsteadofsaying“justdoit”?Howmuchofabreakdoyouthinkyoushouldgiveyourparentswhentheyaretiredandfrustratedandjustdon’tfeellikeexplainingwhattheywantyoutodo?Explain.

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Background: Daniel here is told clearly that he will not understand the visions and prophecies that he has had beengivenandhaswrittendown.Howharddoyouthinkitwouldbetoorganizeyourthoughtsandpresenttootherssomethingthatyoudon’tunderstandforyourself?Wouldyoubetemptedtothinkyouarecrazyorthatmaybeit’snotreallythatimportant?Explain.

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HowwouldyouknowifyouaresimplynotunderstandingandcluelessaboutwhatGodwantsyoutodo,orifyouaremisunderstandingandwritingdownthewrongthing?Explain.

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WhatdoyouthinkitwasaboutDanielthatcausedhimtobefaithfulinrecordingallthesethings,eventhoughttheymadelittletonosensetohim?Explain.

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DoyouthinkyouwouldbeasfaithfulasDanielwasorwouldyougiveup?Explain.

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HowmuchdoyouthinkDaniel’sdailyrelationshipwithGodandlearningtoknowHisvoicemadeadifferenceinhisabilitytodowhatGodaskedhimtodo?

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HowimportantdoyouthinkitisforyoutohaveacloserelationshipwithGodandlearntohearHisvoice?DoyouthinkGodcouldeverchooseyoutodelivermessagestoothers?Whyorwhynot?

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Trytothinkofsomepeopleinyourlifethatyousometimesmisunderstandorhaveconflictwith.Thesemaybefamilymembers,friends,oracquaintances.Trytothinkofsomewaysthatyoucouldworkonimprovingyourrelationshipwiththeseindividualssothatyoucangetalongbetter.Maybespendtimejusttalkingorhavingfuntogetherandseeifthathelpsyoutogetalongbetterinothersituations,suchaswhenyouneedtoaccomplishtaskstogetherordootherthingsthatoftenleadtoconflict.

Chooseoneperson that youmayhave thought of as you read theparagraph above andmake a plan forimprovingyourrelationship.


PrayandaskGodtoblessandguideyouasyoumakeplanstoimproveyourrelationshipswithothers—especiallywithparentsandotherswhomayhaveauthorityoveryou.PrayespeciallyhardwhenyoufeelconflictarisingwiththispersonorpersonsandpraythatGodcanalleviatetheconflictbeforeitgetsworse.

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Esther Chapter 11. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whatistheworstconsequence/punishmentyouhaveeverexperiencedfordisobeyingyourparentsthat

youcantalkabout?Doyouthinkitwasfair?Explain.

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b. Doyouthinkthatitisgoodtopunishwrongdoers,ordoyouthinkeveryoneshouldbefreetodowhatevertheythinkisrightintheirowneyes?Ifyoudobelievethatpunishmentforwrongdoersisimportant,howdoyoudeterminewhoshouldgettomaketherulesandwhoshouldgettoenforcethem?

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Background: Thischaptertellsthestoryofadisobedientqueen.Inthetimeofthisstoryitappearsthatthequeenwas expected to do whatever the king told her to do and when she disobeyed there was a very serious consequence. Infact,thereisagreatdealofdiscussionabouttheexamplethequeenwassettingforalltheotherwomenoftheempireandwhattheconsequencesofnotpunishingherwouldhavebeen.

DoyouthinkQueenVashtiwouldhavebeenconsideredapioneerforwomen’srightsifshehaddonethatinthe1800sinsteadofthousandsofyearsagointheOldTestament?Whyorwhynot?

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Doyouthinkthisstorywouldhaveunfoldeddifferentlyifithadhappenedtodaythanifithadbackthen?Explain.

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Doyouthinktherearestillcountrieswherewomenaretreatedthiswaytoday?Doyouthinkthisisfair?Whatdoyouthinkshouldbedoneaboutit—orisitnotourbusiness?Explain.

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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Ifyouaremale,takeafewminutestothinkabouthowyoutreatthefemalesthatyouinteractwith.

Doyouthinkyouarefairandunbiased?Trytothinkofsomewaysthatyoucanhelpwomenintheirstruggleforequalityinourworld.Trytothinkofsomewomenorgirlsthatyoucouldstandupfororencourageinsomeway.Haveaseriousdiscussionwithsomefemalefriendsandaskfortheiropinionandinputonthisimportanttopic.

b. Ifyouarefemale,takeafewminutestothinkabouthowyouandtheotherfemalesyouinteractwithwouldliketobetreated.Makealistofthethingsinyourownlifethatyouwishweredifferentinregardstogenderequality.Gettogetherwithsomeofyourfemalefriendsandplantohaveaseriousdiscussionwithsomemalefriendsandaskfortheiropinionandinputonthisimportanttopic.


Takesometimetoprayoverhowyoutreatyourfriendsandtheadultsinyourlifewithregardstogenderequality.AskGodtorevealanyhiddenbiasesyoumayhave.PrayandaskGodtohelpyouunderstandtheBiblebetterandtounderstandhowGodwantsusalltoloveandtreateachother.

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Esther Chapter 21. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Haveyoueverenteredacontestyoureallywantedtowin?Describewhatkindofcontestitwasand

howhardyouworked.MaybeitwasforanhonorinPathfinders,tryingoutforasportsteam,ormakingsomethingforthecountyfair.Describeindetailtheprocessyouwentthroughtotrytowinormakethecut.

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b. Haveyoueverwonaprizeatanamusementparkgameboothorfairofsomekind?Describethetypeofgameitwasthatyouplayedandwhatyoudidtowin.Describehowitfelttowin.

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Background:ThischapterisallaboutthebeautypageantthatEstherenteredinordertotrytobecomequeen.Sheworkedhardanddideverythingthatheruncletoldhertodoindetail.Howimportantdoyouthinkitwasforhertoberespectfulandespeciallytokeepthefamilysecretthatheruncletoldhertokeep?

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DoyouthinkEstherenteredthecontestsimplysoshecouldbecomethemostbeautifulwomaninthekingdomandhavealltheprivilegesofbeingqueen,ordoyouthinkshewasmotivatedbysomethingelse?Explain.

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Whatdoyouthinkisthedifferencebetweentryingtolookyourpersonalbestandtryingtobebetterlookingthaneveryoneelse?Whatdoyouthinkisthebestapproachtomanagingandmaintainingyouroutwardappearance?Explain.

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IntheBible,Paulclearlystatesthatyourbeautyshouldcomefromyourinnerpersonratherthanfromhowglamorousyoucanmakeyourselflookontheoutside.HowcanyouapplythisprincipletothestoryofEsther?Explain.

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Thinkindetailabouthowyoufeelaboutyouroutwardappearance.Thinkindetailabouthowyoufeelaboutthekindofpersonyouareontheinside—howloving,kindandniceyouare.Asyouthinkaboutit,wheredoyouthinkyourself-esteemcomesfromthemost?Isitmostlyfromhowyouappearandwhatyouhaveorposses,ordoesitcomefromwhoyouareontheinside?Spendsometimejournalingorthinkingaboutthekindofpersonyouwouldultimatelyliketobecome.Thinkofthreethingsyoucanfocusontotrytobecomeabetterpersoninthenextmonth.


PrayandtalktoGodaboutthepersonthatyouareandthepersonthatyouwanttobecome.AskHimtoguideyouasyousetgoalsforhowyouwanttobecomemorelikeHim.Makeyourselfanotetopraythreetimesperdayaboutwhoyouare,andaskGodtohelpyoutobemoreawareofhowyoutreatotherssothatyoucanbemorefocusedonbeinggood,kind,andloving.

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Esther Chapter 31. Warm-up (5-10 min)

Doyoufeellikeyouhaveeverbeentreatedunfairly?Whatdoyouthinkitmeanstobefair?Doyouthinkitispossibletotreatallpeopleexactlythesameordoesfairnessmeansomethingdifferentthantreatingpeoplethesame?Explain.

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Background:ThecultureofEsther’sdaywascertainlyalotdifferentthanculturetoday.Peopledidthingsthenthatseemunthinkabletopeopleinourtime.

Whatdoyouthinkitwouldbeliketohavetobowandpayhomagetopeoplewhohadauthorityoveryou,suchasyourteachers,parents,andoldersiblings?Howwouldthatmakeyoufeel?Explain.

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Doyoufeellikethereshouldbemorerespectforeldersinourculturetoday?Whyorwhynot?Explainindetailhowthiscouldhappenifyouthinkitshould.

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HowmuchdoyouknowabouttheWWIIholocaust?DidyouknowthatHitlerwasnotthefirstpersontoordertheexterminationoftheJews?WhydoyouthinkGod’s“chosen”peoplehaveenduredsomuchpersecutionforsomanythousandsofyears?HowdoyouthinkyouwouldfeelifyouwereapersonofJewishheritage?Explain.

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Whatpeopleorgroupsofpeopledoyouthinkareparticularlypersecutedtoday?DoyouthinkMuslims,Christians,Hispanics,Syrians,orotherpeoplearebeingunfairlypersecutedtoday?Whyorwhynot?

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Thinkaboutthewaythatyoutreatotherpeople.Doyoufinditeasyordifficulttotreateveryoneyougotoschoolorworkwiththesame?Doyoufeelatendencytotreatmaleandfemalesdifferently?Doyouhaveahardertimeacceptingpeoplefrombackgroundsandculturesthataredifferentthanyours?Takesometimetothinkaboutwhythismayormaynotbe.Trytothinkofthreepeoplethatyouwouldliketotreatbetter.Trytofigureoutwhyyoutreatthemthewayyoudoandhowyoucanmakeapositivechange.


PrayandaskGodtohelpyoutobekindandlovingtoallpeople.AskHimtohelpyoufilteroutthingsyouhearinthenewsorfromfriendsthatmaybeaffectingthewayyoutreatsomeotherpeople.PrayandaskJesustohelpyoutoloveallpeoplethewayHetreatsyouinspiteofyourfaultsandmistakes.

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Whatdoyouthinkitwouldbeliketobeareal-lifeprinceorprincess?Whatwouldyoudoifyouwereaprincesswhohadanumberofmaidsand/orservants?Whatwouldyouhaveyourservantsdoforyouthroughouttheday?Explain.

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InthischapterMordecaiandtheJewsacrossthekingdomarereceivingwordaboutthedecreetokillalltheJewsinthekingdom.Howdoyouthinkyouwouldfeeltolearnthatallpeoplefromyourethnicbackgroundhadbeencondemnedtodeath?Howwouldyourespondtosuchextremehatred?Wouldyourespondwithequalhatredorwitheffortstomakeanescapeplan,orwouldyousimplyrelyonprayingtoGod?Explain.

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InthisscenariotheattentionissuddenlyturnedtoqueenEsther,whomostpeopledon’tevenknowisapersonofJewishdescent.HowdoyouthinkEsthermaybefeelingatthispoint?Herlifehasbeenturnedupsidedownduringthepastcoupleofyears.Shehasgonefrombeinganorphantothequeenofthekingdom.Howmuchpressuretoyouthinkshewasfeelingatthistime?

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WhenEstherpointsoutthefactthatgoingintothekinguninvitedcanleadtoinstantdeath,MordecaishowsastrongfaithinGodandHisleading.WhatdoesthisscenariotellyouabouttherelationshipbetweenEstherandMordecaiandthethingshehastaughtheraboutGodsinceshewasachild?Explainindetail.

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DoyouthinkparentsandcaregiversarestillteachingchildrentorelyonGodlikethistoday?Whyorwhynot?Explain.

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Whatdoyouhonestly thinkyouwoulddo if you foundyourself in a situationwhereother peopleweredependingonyoutotakeastrongstandforGod?DoyoufeellikeyoucurrentlyhaveastrongenoughfaithinGodtomakeastandforsomethingimportant?

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ThinkaboutwhereyouwishyouwereatinyourwalkwithGod.Comparethatwithwhereyoufeelyouarenow.TakesometimetothinkabouthowEstherandMordecaimayhavedevelopedtheirrelationshipswithGodunderstandingthattheirtimeandcallingwasabitdifferentthanourstodayinmanyways.

InspiteofwhereyourotherfamilymembersareintheircommitmenttoGod,youcanalwaysimprovewhereyoustandwithHimpersonally.Takesometimetosetsomegoalsandplansforhowyouwouldliketogrowspirituallyinthenextfewweeks.Talkaboutyourplanswithyourparents,pastor,oryouthleaderforinput.


PrayandaskGodtoblessyouasyoumakeplansforyourspiritualgrowth.PrayandaskJesustogiveyourfamilyandfriendsthedesiretogrowspirituallyaswell.Besuretosetasidespecifictimeseachdaytoprayand to work on your spiritual growth plan.

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Esther Chapter 51. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Imagineyouarearoyalprincess.Describeindetailwhatyourroyalrobes/dress/outfitwouldlooklike

andwhattypeonentourageyouwouldhave.WouldyoubemorelikeaDisneyprincessorlikePrincessKateMiddleton?Describeindetail.

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b. Imagineyouarearoyalprince.Describeindetailwhatyourlifewouldbelike.Whatkindofcarwouldyoudrive,whatkindofbodyguardswouldyouhave,wherewouldyoulive,etc?

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Background: WhenyoureadthischapteraboutEsthergoinginbeforethekingattheriskofherownlife,diditmakeyoucringeorputyouinanykindofsuspense,oristhestorysofamiliarthatyoudidn’treallyfeelanything?TrytoimaginehowEstherfeltasshewentthoughthisepisodeinherlife.Howdoyouthinkyouwouldhavefeltifyouhadbeeninherplace?Explain.

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WhydoyouthinkEstherwassosubtleandsecretiveinthewaysheproceededwithherrequest?Whydoyouthinksheinvitedthekingtobanquetsratherthanjustmakingherrequestimmediately?Explain.

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Doyouthinkyouwouldbesopatientandtakesolonginmakingyourappealinregardstosuchanimportantissue?Explain.

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WhatdoyouthinkEsther,theking,andHamantalkedaboutduringthebanquets?Doyouthinkitwasabitawkwardordoyouthinktherewasplentytotalkaboutbesidesherpressingrequest?HowharddoyouthinkitwouldhavebeenforEsthertoentertainthekinginthissituation?

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WhydoyouthinkHamanfeltsospecialinthissituation?Explain.DoyouthinkitwasmeanforEsthertomakehimfeelsospecialrightbeforesheexposedhim?Explain.

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Thinkaboutyourrelationshipswithotherpeople.Areyouthetypeofpersontogetstraighttotheheartofthematterandjust“sayitlikeitis”?Ordoyoutrytotakethetimetolistentopeopleanddevelopabetterrelationshipwiththembeforediggingintoadifficultissuethatyouthinkneedstobeaddressed?Listwhatyouseeastheprosandconsofgettingintoissueswithpeoplebothslowlyandquickly.

TakesometimetothinkaboutEsther’sapproachandmakesomenotesregardingwhatyoucanlearnfromhowsheapproachedthekingandHaman.Trytothinkofatleasttwopastsituationswhenaslowerandmoredeliberateapproachwithsomeonewouldhavebeenmorebeneficial.


PrayandaskGodtoguideyouinhowyoudealwithotherpeople.AskHimtohelpyoutoslowdownandcarefullythinkandtalkthroughasmanydetailsasyoucanbeforehavingseriousconversationswithothers.

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Esther Chapter 61. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Talkaboutatimewhenyouhaveexperiencedjealousy.Wasityoubeingjealousofsomeoneelseor

someoneelsebeingjealousofyou?Didthejealousyendupbeingagoodorabadthing?Explainindetail.

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b. Talkaboutatimewhenyousawsomeonestandupandtreatsomeonefairlywhenothersweretryingtobeunfair.Explainwhathappenedindetailandhowitmadeyoufeeltoseesomeonestandupforsomeoneelse.Talkabouthowthiscaninspireyoutostandupforothersthatareinneedofhelp.

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Background:Thischaptersaysthatthenightbeforethebanquetthekingcouldnotsleep,sohehadsomeonebringinthebookofroyalrecordsandreadittohim.Doyouthinkthiswasanincrediblecoincidence,astrokeofluck,oranactofGodthatcausedthistohappen?Explainindetail.

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WhydoyouthinkHaman’smindsetwassostronglysetonreceivinggloryandhonor?AllthroughthisbookHamanseemstothinkofnothingbuthimself.Howcanyoukeepfromfeelingthiswayyourself?Whatdoyouthinkisthedifferencebetweenhavinggoodself-esteemandbeingoverconfident,selfish,andarrogantlikeHaman?Explain.

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HowdoyouthinkHamanwasfeelingduringthelastpartofthischapterashecouldseehisschemetokillalltheJewsunraveling?Howdoyouthinkpeoplewhodon’tbelieveinGoddealwithtragediesthattheyfaceinlife?Explain.

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HowdoyouthinkapersonalrelationshipwithJesusand“lovingyourneighborasyourself”cankeepyoufromfallingintothesamesituationasHaman?Explain.

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Spendsometimetryingtothinkofatimeinyourlifewhensomethinggoodhappenedthatyouweresurewasnotacoincidence.Trytorememberallthedetailsofwhathappened.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhavehappenedorwhatdifferentdirectiondoyouthinkyourlifewouldhavetakenifthis“actofGod”hadnothappened?

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SpendsometimethinkingthroughyourlifelookingforotherwaysthatGodhasbeenleadinganddirectingyouinyourlife.StartajournalofalltheincidencesyoucanthinkofuptothispointinyourlifeandthenkeepthejournalonhandtocontinuerecordingGod’sworkinyourlife.TheBiblecallstheseactsofGodinourlives“Ebenezers.”Theyaretoberecordedandrememberedtohelpstrengthenourfaithduringdifficulttimes.

Spendsometimetalkingwithyourparentsaboutmiraclestheyhaveseeninyourlifethatyoumightnothavenoticed,andwritethemdowninyourjournalaswell.


PrayandaskGodtohelpyoutorememberthetimesHehasworkedinyourlife.AskHimtoremindyouofeventsyoumayhaveforgottenorsimplydidn'tnoticebecauseyouweresocaughtupinthemiddleofthesituation.Praytogetherwithsomefriendsand/orfamilyandthankGodforthewaysHehasbeeninvolvedinyour lives over the years.

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Esther Chapter 71. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Haveyoueverhadoneofyourplansbackfire—somethingyouthoughtwouldgoonewaybutinstead

wentcompletelywrong?Explainindetailwhathappenedandwhatyoulearnedfromtheexperience.

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b. Haveyouevergoneintoasituation—maybeanewschoolorapartyoravacationofsomekind—thatyouthoughtwouldbeterrible,butactuallyturnedouttobegreat?Explainindetailwhathappenedandhowitmadeyoufeel.

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Background: InthischapterHaman’sevilplanisfinallyunraveledasthequeenrevealsherrequest!Thekingwentintoarage,thevillainfellapartandjusticewasserved!

Doyouseeplotslikethisstillhappeninginourworldtoday?Whyorwhynot?Explain.

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Esther’sworldmayseembarbarictous—withitspublichangingsandbodiesleftondisplay,etc.—buthashumannaturereallychangedthatmuchovertime?Dopeoplestillseekselfishgainandtodobadthingstoeachotheroutofjealousyinourday?Explain.

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WhatdoesthisteachyouabouttheAdventistconceptcalled“theGreatControversy”?DiscusswhatyouknowabouttheGreatControversybetweenChristandSatanandhowitstillimpactsourworldtoday.

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DiscusswithyourgroupthreewaysyoucanbeapositiveinfluenceintheGreatControversyandhelpotherstochooseGod’ssideinsteadofSatan’s.

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Trytothinkofsomesubtleworldlythingsthattemptyoutobejealousandunhappywithwhatyouhaveinlife.Weallhaveweaknessesandthingsthattempteachofusmorethanothers.Trytoidentifyatleastthreetemptationsthatyouneedtobecautiousofthatcouldleadyoudownawrongroad.


PrayandaskGodtohelpyoutonotbeledintotemptationastheLord’sPrayerteachesustodo.TurntoMatthew6:9-13andpraythroughtheLord’sPrayer,applyingeachphrasetoyourownlife.

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Ifyouweresuddenlygiventhepowertomakeanydecreeorlawyouwantedthroughoutthecityyoulivein,whatwoulditbe?Whatdoyouthinktheresultsofyourdecreeorlawwouldbe?Wouldmostcitizensofyourcitybefororagainstit?Explain.

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Background: AfterHamanwasgoneandhispowerandauthoritywasgiventoMordecai,therewasstillaneedforquickactioninordertosavetheJews.Theoriginaldecreecouldnotberescinded,sotheyhadtofigureoutsomethingelsetodo.Howdoyouthinktheycameupwiththenewdecreetocountertheoriginalone?Canyouthinkofanotherdecreethatcouldhavebeenjustaseffective?Explain.

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WhydoyouthinkthiskingwasstillusingthelawoftheMedesandthePersians?Whydoyouthinkitwasimportantatthattimetomakelawsthatcouldnotbeundone?Doyouthinkitmaderulersthinkmorecarefullyaboutthelawstheymade?Explain.

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DoyouthinkthatinthiscaseitwasbetterthattheoriginallawstayedineffectbecauseitthengavetheJewstheopportunitytoavengethemselvesoftheirenemies?Doyouthinktheycouldhavedonethisotherwise?Explain.

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WhydoyouthinkthisscenarioendedupbeingsuchagoodwitnessthatmanypeopledecidedtobecomeJews?Explain.

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Trytothinkofsomethinginyourlifethatlookedatfirstlikeitwouldbetotallydevastatinginsomeway,butendedupbecomingagreatblessing.Now,trytothinkaboutsomechallengesyouarecurrentlyfacingormaysoonfacethatseemhopeless.DoyouthinkthereisanypossiblewaythatGodcanbringgoodoutofthesedifficultcircumstances?Spendsometimethinkingandtalkingthrougheverydetailwithsomefriendsand/orfamilymembersandlookforpossiblewaysgoodcouldcome.


PrayandaskGodtobringgoodandunexpectedresultstothedifficultiesyoufaceonaregularbasis.Praythroughdifficultrelationshipdynamics,familysituations,andanydifficultiesyourfriendsandfamilymembersmaybefacingaswell.AskGodtobringyoupeaceandtogiveyoufaiththatHecanbringgoodoutsituationsthatseemliketheycanonlybebad.

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Esther Chapter 9 & 101. Warm-up (5-10 min)

a. Ifyoucouldchooseonetypeofpestorscarycreatureinnaturetocompletelykilloff,whatwoulditbeandwhy(mosquitos,spiders,snakes,etc.)?Whatdoyouthinktheconsequencesofeliminatingthiscreaturewouldbe.Howwoulditeffecttheecosystem?Explain.

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b. Ifyoucouldrunforanyelectedofficeinthenationwhatwoulditbe(governor,mayor,president,judge,etc.)?Whywouldyouwantthispowerandwhatwouldyoudowithittohelppeople?Explain.

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Background: InthischaptertheJewswereallowedtokillthousandsoftheirenemieswithGod’sblessing.HowisitpossibletounderstandallthekillingthatgoesonintheBible?Dowesimplyneedtounderstandthatpeopleandcultureswerejustbarbaricatthattimeandinthatplace?ItseemslikemuchoftheOldTestamentinvolvesthekillingofpeoplewhohateGod’schosenpeople.Whydoyouthinkthatis?Doesallthiskillingseemhardtounderstand?Whyorwhynot?

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DoyouthinkthatiftheseenemiesoftheJewshadnotbeenexterminated,theywouldhaveeventuallyfoundawaytokilltheJews?Explain.

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DoyouthinkitispossiblethattheseavowedenemiesoftheJewshadalreadycommittedtheunpardonablesinandwerebeyondsavinganyway,soGodallowedthemtodiesothattheywouldstoptemptingandpersecutingHischosenpeople?Whyorwhynot?

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Whydoyouthinkitwasimportanttoestablishafeast/festivalinhonorofthisgreatvictoryforGod’schosenpeople?WhatdoyouthinkwastheJewishperspectiveonthisgreatevent?Howdoyouthinkyouwouldhavefeltifyouhadbeenintheirplaceatthattime?Explain.

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WhydoyouthinkGodallowedDaniel,Esther,andMordecaitoholdsuchhighpositionsinthegovernmentsoftheirtime?DoyouthinkitisstillokayforChristianstoholdhighpublicofficestoday?Whyorwhynot?

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Trytoputyourselfintheshoesofsomepeoplefromanotherculturethatarefacingtroubleorsomekindofpersecutiontoday.Howdifficultisitforyoutorelatetootherpeople’sstruggles?TakesometimetodoalittleresearchontherefugeesfromSyriaorsomeothercountrywherepeoplearestrugglingtosurvive.Tryyourbesttobeobjectiveinyourresearchandunderstandtheplightthesepeoplemaybegoingthrough.Trytoseeanotherperspectiveotherthantheperspectivesyouhearmostcommonlyamongstyourpeers.


PrayandaskGodtointercedeinthelivesofthepeopleyouhearaboutthatareindifficultsituationsaroundtheworld.Includepeopleyoumayhaveheardaboutinthenews,suchas:NorthKoreans,Syrians,Mexicans,Iranians,Iraqis,andanyoneelsewhocomestomind.Trytospendsometimeeachdayinthecomingweekprayingforthosetrappedincountriesthatareinvolvedinsomekindofconflictorpersecution.

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North American

Division Pathfinder Ministries

A team Bible knowledge challenge for Daniel & Esther

The PathfinderBibleExperienceApplication Guide

2017/2018 Edition

the pathfinder bible experience

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