Daniel 2:1-49

Memory Verse: Daniel 2:37

I. The King's Dream (1-23)

1. How did King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams affect him? What did he do about it? In what respect was the king's demand of his wise men unreasonable? (1-9)

2. What were the rewards and punishments the king promised? (5,6) When the king insisted that his wise men tell him the dream, what did their spokesman say? (7,11) What was the kings' response? (10-12)

3. How did the king's angry decree affect Daniel and his friends? What did Daniel do? (13-16) What does this show about him?

4. Read verses 17-18. What did Daniel do about the impossible task that was facing him? What can we learn from him? (Compare Mk. 14:37-41, 11:24; Mt. 7:7,8)

5. How did God answer his prayer? (19) What was the first thing Daniel did? What can we learn about God and about Daniel from Daniel's prayer of thanksgiving? (20-23)

II. Daniel Interprets the King's Dream (24-43)

6. How did Daniel proclaim God to the king? (28, 29, 37, 44) Why did this take courage? What can we learn from Daniel about how to honor God? How did he show his respect for the king? What can we learn from him?

7. What was the significance of the king's dream? (28) Describe the kings' dream as Daniel told him about it. (31-35)

8. How did Daniel interpret the king's dream? What did his interpretation of the dream show about the kingdoms of the world and human history? (36-44; See 5:31; 8:20; 8:21)

III. The Rock (44-49)

9. What did the rock cut out of the mountain represent? (34, 35, 44, 45; Compare 1 Pe. 2:6,7; Isa. 28:16; Ps. 118:22) What can we learn from this?

10. How did the king respond to Daniel's honest interpretation? (46-49) How does God honor him?