Convictions on Campus

Before you start

Daniel and his friends are young exiles taken to Babylon and placed in the king's training program, with new names, new language, new food. Daniel decides there is one line he will not cross, and he asks respectfully for another way.

Read Daniel 1:1–21 aloud from any translation. Invite volunteers to read; never put anyone on the spot.

Icebreaker · 5 minutes

What's one thing about college life that surprised you most?

Observe · what does it say?

1. What did the Babylonians change about Daniel and his friends (verses 4–7)?
2. How does Daniel ask for an alternative (verses 8–13)? What tone does he use?
3. What happens at the end of the ten days?

Interpret · what did it mean?

1. Daniel accepted many changes but drew a line at one. Why there?
2. What can we learn from how respectfully Daniel made his request?

Apply · what does it ask of us?

1. What is one conviction you want to keep this semester?
2. How can you hold it with respect for people who see things differently?

On your campus

Host a "Real Talk" study for freshmen: keeping your faith and your friends in your first year. Keep it honest and judgement-free.

Closing prayer

God, give us Daniel's wisdom: to learn and serve where we are, to hold firmly to what matters, and to do it with grace. Amen.

Take home

Write down one conviction you want to keep, and one person you'll ask to keep you accountable.