Book of Daniel
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class opened with a heartfelt prayer and an overview of the purpose behind God’s messages to arrogant leaders, especially King Belshazzar. Larry Johnson reminded the group that the story of Belshazzar serves as a warning to honor God’s name, obey His will, and cultivate gratitude, rather than succumb to pride and neglect repentance. He then transitioned to the chronological study of Daniel, focusing on the transition from the reign of Belshazzar to that of Cyrus and Darius, and introduced Daniel 9 as the central text for the session. Johnson explained that Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 was prompted by his reading of Jeremiah’s prophecies—particularly Jeremiah 25’s seventy‑year exile prediction and Jeremiah 29’s promise of restoration for the exiles who repent and pray for the welfare of the host nation. The teacher highlighted the characteristics of God‑centered prayer: confession, reliance on God’s covenant love, and petitions that bring glory to Him. By analyzing Daniel’s sincere confession and his acknowledgment of God’s steadfast love, the class learned how authentic prayer reflects a deep knowledge of God and self. The lesson concluded with practical applications, urging participants to emulate Daniel’s devotion, trust God’s timing, and seek righteousness in their daily lives.
Key Scriptures
In the first year of Darius the son of Ashurbanipal, who was of the descendants of the Medes, and who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans, I, Daniel, perceived by the books the number of the years which, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must be completed for the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, to seek him by prayer and pleas, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes...
O Lord God, when you made my father Israel to dwell in Egypt, and when you brought him out from there, you made your name known to him, and you did great and mighty things before his eyes... Let your eyes be open to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your people Israel, making your face shine upon this place again.