Through this Sunday school lesson, children learn that it is best to be humble and honor God, rather than be boastful and act selfishly.
TOPICS
Daniel, Humility, Joy, Reputation, Selfishness
AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)
Boastful or Humble (Activity) Click here
Once everyone has arrived and is finished with this activity, ask if the kids can think of any other situations where we can act in a humble way.
OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISE (5 minutes)
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MEMORY WORK (12 minutes)
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4:10 NIV
Play the "hangman" game with this short verse. After one of the kids is able to say the verse correctly, have everyone look it up in their own Bibles.
SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes)
Introduction:
Sometime after Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived the fiery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar had a disturbing vision. Daniel interpreted the vision for the king, and told him that he would live like a wild animal for many years unless or until he gave up his sinful life by acknowledging God as Lord of all.
Just as Daniel said, the vision came true and King Nebuchadnezzar lived as a wild animal until he finally changed his ways. In fact, he even said, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble." (Dan. 4:37)
But sometime afterwards, his son, Belshazzar became king. King Belshazzar did not honor God, nor humble himself. Instead, he did his best to fight against the Lord. Then, a message came to him in a strange way. Let's read to find out what that message said.
Read Daniel 5:1-30
Read the passage to the children as they follow along in their own Bible.
(In this passage, enchanters, astrologers and diviners were magicians and people who told the future using tricks and stars.)
Discussion Questions:
1. What gods did King Belshazzar and his nobles praise? (They praised gods of gold and silver.)
2. While they were drinking, what did they see writing on the walls? (Fingers of a human hand.)
3. Why did the king ask Daniel to come to him? (He hoped Daniel could tell him what the writing meant.)
4. Why was the sin of Belshazzar even greater than his father? see verse 22-23. (Although he knew the truth, he chose not to humble himself, and even fought against the Lord.)
5. How did Daniel describe the things that the king was praising? (They couldn't see or hear or understand.)
6. What did the writing on the wall say? (The king's reign is at an end and his kingdom will be given away.)
7. What is the difference between being boastful and being humble? (Allow for discussion.)
CLASS EXERCISE (20 minutes)
The Humble and the Proud (Activity) Click here
ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (7 minutes)
Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord (Song) Sing this popular chorus with girls echoing the boys.
(Boys) Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord,
(Girls) Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord,
(Boys) Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord,
(Girls) Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord,
(Boys) And He, (Girls) And He,
(Boys) Will lift, (Girls) Will lift,
(Both) You up, higher and higher,
(Boys) And He, (Girls) And He,
(Boys) Will lift, (Girls) Will lift,
(Both) You up!
repeat several times
Words & Music by Bob Hudson
© 1978 Maranatha! Music
APPLICATION (10 minutes)
If you have extra time, have each child write down his or her own short prayer. Their prayer should be one of humility like the tax collector, not boastful or proud like the Pharisee. Have them write down what they could say that would be pleasing to God.
We have learned now that a reputation is built by doing something over and over. To have a reputation for being humble, we must constantly honor and give thanks to God for all things. There will be many times in our lives that we will have more than someone else, have a newer toy than the kid down the street, or get a better grade than our friend, but we must never look down on someone else because they are less fortunate. Likewise, we should never think that whatever it is we have is because of something we did. All good things come from God, and He alone is worthy of our praise.
NEXT WEEK
Ever hear of shark repellent? How about man-eating lion repellent. Come back next week to see if there is such a thing.
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
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TAKE HOME PAGE
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home. Click here for NIV or KJV [PDF]