Daniel 3:1-30 Trusting God:
Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
HOOK: Use the flannelgraph as you tell the Bible story.
BOOK: Daniel 3:1-30
There was a King who made a gold statue about half the size of the Statue of Liberty. That was really, really tall. His name was King Nebuchadnezzar. We’ll call him King Neb for short. King Neb wanted everyone to fall down to worship the gold statue as soon as they heard the sound of horns and trumpets and all kinds of music. He also gave the order that whoever DID NOT fall down and immediately worship the statue, would be thrown into a blazing furnace. So what do you think most people did? What would you do? As soon as all the music started, every person, everywhere bowed down to worship this statue except for three men who loved God. Their names were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (you can remember that by saying, “Hit the sack, make the bed and to bed we go”.)
People went to King Neb to tell on these three young men. They said that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wouldn’t serve the false gods nor worship the image of gold that the King set up (v.12). The King became furious with rage. He ordered that these three be brought before him and he told them that they had to bow down and worship his statue when they heard the music or he was going to throw them into a blazing furnace. And he said, “What God is going to be able to rescue you from that?”
But that didn’t scare Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They knew that their God would take care of them, and even if He didn’t, they still would never worship any statue or anyone but the one true God. This made King Neb even more mad!! He ordered that the fiery furnace be turned up seven times hotter! The fire was so hot that the people who threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fire were killed! When you hear what happened next, you’re going to know that God is powerful and that He takes care of His children. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, they were tied up very tightly. As the King was looking into the fire, he saw 4 men walking around!! He couldn’t believe his eyes! He said one of them looked like a son of God! King Neb called into the fire, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, Come out here!” and they came walking right out of the fire! Isn’t that amazing? King Neb was so amazed that he started praising the one true God! He knew that their God sent an angel to rescue them from the fiery furnace. He saw that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to lose their lives and trust in their God instead of bowing down and worship a false god.
LOOK:
Isn’t this an amazing story? It’s right in the Bible and it’s true. It’s not just a story in any old book. This is the Word of God that we can believe is true and really happened. God wants us to learn from this that He is the only true God and He wants us to worship Him only. Our God is almighty and powerful and He takes care of His children. We can trust in Him and not be afraid. It’s not that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were super brave; it’s that they knew that they could trust that God was watching over them.
TOOK:
Whenever you are afraid or you don’t know what to do, you can pray and ask God to help you. You don’t have to try to be brave enough or strong enough, because God is strong and powerful to take care of you. You can trust Him like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did!!
MEMORY VERSE:
“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10
CLOSING PRAYER:
Mighty God, we know that you are powerful to protect and take care of us just like you saved and rescued Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Please help us to remember that we can trust in You when we are afraid. Help us to be strong in You and to be bold to tell others about you. We love You and trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
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