To Honor God

Sunday, February 1, 2015
Daniel 1:5, 8-17; Matthew 6:16-18 KJV 

5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. ... 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which [are] of your sort? then shall ye make [me] endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 

Matthew 6:16-18 KJV 
16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After the Babylonian captivity, King Nebuchadnezzar summoned young men, from among his descendants and the children of Israel, to determine who were able to serve in the king's palace. What did the king do for the young men selected? Why? (v.5)
2) What did Daniel purpose in His heart to refrain from doing and request as a result? (v.6)
3) What did the prince of the eunuchs say to Daniel? Why? (v.7-10)
4) What did Daniel say to the eunuch who was set over him and the other three Hebrew men? (v.11-13)
5) How did that eunuch respond to Daniel's proposition and what happened after the set time? (v.14-16)
6) What did the Lord do for the four young Hebrew men? (v.17)
7) What did our Lord tell His disciples to do, and to refrain from doing, when fasting? Why? (Matt 6:16-18)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
8) Have you ever made a "show" of fasting, or of refraining to do what the world does, to earn the approval of people? If so, please describe one such time.
9) What typically motivates you to do what you do for the Lord? 

LIFE LESSONS
10) God is only pleased by the selfless motives of our hearts in doing whatever we do to honor Him.