“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“

1. Have a Leader be “Simon” and the rest of the children will be the players.
2. Explain that when Simon gives a command, players should only follow if Simon starts the command with “Simon says.” For example, “Simon says touch your toes.”
3. If Simon gives a command without saying “Simon says” first, players should not follow that command.
4. Players who follow a command without “Simon says” are out of the game for that round and need to sit down.
5. Keep playing with Simon giving different commands, mixing up those with and without “Simon says.”
6. The last player remaining who follows the correct commands wins and becomes the next Simon.

 “Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”

THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Daniel 6:1-5)
In the bustling kingdom of Babylon, where King Darius ruled, an Israelite man named Daniel stood above all of the people who helped rule the kingdom. Daniel worshipped the one true God this helped him to make wise choices in a land that didn’t worship the One True God. God blessed Daniel and his three friends by allowing the King to understand they were smarter and had more wisdom than others
and gave them high positions in his kingdom. He was appointed as one of the three leaders in the kingdom, second only to the King. Daniel’s honesty and wisdom from God shone brightly over the entire kingdom. But within the hearts of those who didn’t love God, there was jealousy. They thought of a plan to get rid of Daniel. Since Daniel did no wrong it would have to be against Daniel’s God, “The Lord God Almighty”.

THE CHOICE:  ( Daniel 6:6-16)
The advisors said “Let us appeal to the King’s pride” and trick him. The advisors to the king said, “Whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except thee, O, king, shall be cast into the den of lions.” So the decree forbidding prayer to anyone, but King Darius was issued. Daniel faced a choice to stand firm and continue to pray three times a day and be thrown into the lion’s den or forsake his God. What do you think Daniel did? If you think to pray to God, shout out pray, again PRAY. I think you can say it louder than that, PRAY!! Great job. That is just what Daniel did he went up to his room opened the window and prayed three times a day. He stood firm in his faith in God. Daniel’s heart remained true even though the decree meant facing a terrifying fate in the lions’ den. He chose to serve
and love God above all else.

THE CONSEQUENCE: (Daniel 6:16-25)
The jealous, evil men came before King Darius and said, “Didn’t you make a law that no one should pray to anyone else? Daniel is praying to his God three times a day.” The king knew he had fallen into a trap against Daniel and was very sad. He tried to see if there was some way to change the law, but couldn’t. As Daniel was cast into the lion’s den, the king said “Daniel, thy God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Children roar like a lions. Roar again and remember the lions are hungry. Good job. Within the darkness of the den, God’s light shone. The ferocious, hungry lions, under the command of God’s angel, did not hurt Daniel. Miraculously Daniel was unharmed. In the morning the king went to the den and was very happy to see Daniel alive. He threw the evil, jealous men into the lion’s den. Boys and girls, Daniel remained true to God. The King even recognized the One True God! Then King Darius wrote to people of all nations, no matter what language they spoke. He said, “May you have great success! I order people in every part of my kingdom to respect and honor Daniel’s God, He is the living God, He will live forever, His kingdom will not be destroyed, and His rule will never end. He sets people free and saves them. He does miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”

“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”