1. Welcome to 12:13!  Need to use the bathroom?  Ask a parent volunteer.  Need a handout from last week?  Ask a parent volunteer.  Need to borrow a pen?  Loan us a shoe and we will loan you a pen!  Need to talk with your friend?  Before or after class, but not during

2. The Greatest Story Ever Told How To Read And Understand THE PROPHETS (Daniel, Part 1/Ch. 1)

3. The Book of Daniel

4. Why Daniel? It’s an example of two kinds of biblical literature… Narrative Prophetic We want to teach you to fish!

5. Ten Types Of Biblical Literature Old Testament Narratives (1 Samuel) New Testament Narratives (Acts) Gospels (Matthew) Parables (The Prodigal Son) Epistles (1 Timothy) Laws (Leviticus) Prophets (Daniel) Psalms Wisdom (Proverbs) Revelation

6. Facts About The Prophets 4 Major Prophets (long) Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel 12 Minor Prophets (short) Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi Date: All written between 760 -- 460 BC Format: Collections of individual prophecies

7. Big Words, Important Words Hermeneutics The science and art of biblical interpretation Exegesis Using hermeneutics to reach a correct understanding of Scripture

8. Why Daniel? It’s a great book! The greatness of the living God over against the false gods of the nations! God gave Israel to their enemies (1:2). God reveals mysteries (2:22). God delivers his people who trust in him (3:28). God humbles proud rulers (4:37). God rules over evil and will one day overcome it! (4:32, 2:44)

9. Why Daniel? It gives great examples of trust in God in difficult circumstances! Refuse to cast off God’s regulations (Daniel 1). Refuse to yield to idol worship (Daniel 3, 6). Work for the good of those around them (Daniel 6:2-3). Speak the truth in love (Daniel 4:27). God was glorified as a result! (Daniel 3, 6)

10. Why Daniel? Jesus knows Daniel His favorite self-designation comes from Daniel – the Son of Man (e.g. Mark 10:45). Jesus quotes Daniel at his trial (Mark 14:62). Jesus also quotes Daniel in Matthew 24:15.

11. Hermeneutical Key Know where you are! Guards us against misinterpretation Guides us To the main thing What is God doing?

12. Where are we in Daniel? Exile in Babylon Abraham (Genesis 12) Slavery in Egypt Exodus Sinai Law Land Disobedience Exile

13. Daniel -- The Book Author: Daniel Historical context: Exile in Babylon Written in two languages: Hebrew, Aramaic Written in two parts Chapters 1-6: Heroes of faith (Daniel and friends) Chapters 7-12: Visions of God’s power in the end times Big idea: God is sovereign over history and empires and will one day establish a never ending kingdom!