Leader Guide

Teaching Time

Have the children sit in chairs or on the floor.

Encourage children to participate as much as possible as you tell the Bible story from the bullets. Emphasize the words in bold text. The words correspond to an action or word for the children to imitate. Vary your facial expression, voice, and volume level to hold children’s attention and interest.

● There was a young man named Daniel who lived in the city of Jerusalem, where many Jewish people lived and worshiped the one true God.

● One day, the country of Babylon attacked Jerusalem. The soldiers of Babylon captured many young men, including Daniel and three of his friends.

● The soldiers took them to live in Babylon to serve the king. The friends were sad to be taken from their families and city. Make a sad face.

● Daniel was given a new name in Babylon: Belteshazzar. But we will just call him Daniel!

● His friends were given new names in Babylon, too: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

● Slowly say a name and have the children repeat it aloud. Those are big names. Let’s say each one again. Repeat after me: Shadrach… Meshach… Abednego. Children repeat.

● For three years, Daniel and his friends were taught many important things, including how to serve the king.

● Hold up the King’s Food Plate. The king ordered his chief official to give the men the best food and drink from his table.

● This was a problem for Daniel and his friends. The four men did not want the king’s food because they would disobey God’s law to eat and drink it. Make sad faces and shake heads "no."

● This was a big problem for the king’s chief official, too! If the chief official allowed Daniel and his friends to disobey the king’s order, he could be punished by the king! Oh No! Hold both sides of your face in distress and surprise.

● Daniel had an idea for a test! Point to side of head and smile big.

● Hold up the Vegetable Plate. Daniel asked the king’s official to let the four men eat and drink only vegetables and water while the other servants ate the king’s food.

● Daniel said this test would last ten days. Let’s count to ten together! Hold up one hand. Open fingers and thumb as you count slowly to five. Repeat with the other hand to count from six to ten.

● The king’s official was afraid, then finally said yes to the test. Make a worried face and then smile and nod head "yes."

● Hold up the Vegetable Plate. For ten days, the king’s official served Daniel and his friends vegetables and water, just like they asked.

● Daniel and his friends were very happy. The four men smile and jump up and down.

● Hold up the King’s Food Plate. Daniel and his friends used self-control to resist the temptation to eat the king’s delicious food and did what they knew was right! Hold both hands palms out in front of you to resist.

● After ten days, Daniel and his three friends stood before the king. They looked healthy and happy. Have children stand up straight and tall with happy faces.

● The other servants stood before the king, too. They looked tired and sickly. Have children stand slumped over with sad faces.

● The king looked at the unhealthy servants and was not happy. Shake head "no" with a sad face.

● Then the king looked at Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and was amazed at how healthy and full of energy they looked! Shake head "yes" with happy face.

● Daniel and his three friends had passed the test! God rewarded the four men for obeying the Lord and having self-control.

● Not only were Daniel and his friends healthier, but the king also found them ten times wiser than anyone in his kingdom! Let’s count to ten together again! Hold up one hand. Open fingers and thumb as you count slowly to five. Repeat with the other hand to count from six to ten.

Optional Review Questions

Did Daniel and his friends volunteer to leave home and go to Babylon to serve the king? No, they were prisoners/captives and forced to. (They were exiled.)

How many men only ate vegetables and water? Four (Daniel and his friends).

Who can say the names of Daniel’s three friends? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

How much wiser did the king find Daniel and his friends to be? Ten times.

How were Daniel and his friends able to resist the temptation to eat all of the king’s delicious food? They used self-control to do what was right. God strengthened and helped them.