Free Bible lesson for kids · Faithful in a Far Land
Daniel Purposes in His Heart
King Nebuchadnezzar took young men from Jerusalem to Babylon, among them Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, to be trained for his palace on the king’s meat and wine. Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself, and he politely asked for ten days of pulse and water instead. At the end of ten days the four looked healthier than all the rest, and God gave them knowledge and wisdom, so the king found them ten times better than all his magicians and astrologers.
- Bible passage
- Daniel 1:1–21
- Big idea
- Even when we are young and far from home, we can choose to honour God.
- Memory verse
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
King Nebuchadnezzar took some of the finest young men from Israel’s royal families to Babylon, to be trained for three years to serve him (Daniel 1:1–5). Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (Daniel 1:6). The king gave them food and wine from his own table. But “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat” (Daniel 1:5, 8).
God gave Daniel favour with the officer in charge (Daniel 1:9). Daniel politely said to Melzar, “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days,” and asked for pulse, or vegetables, to eat and water to drink (Daniel 1:11–12). After ten days the four looked healthier than all the others (Daniel 1:15). God gave them knowledge and wisdom, and the king found them ten times better than all his magicians and astrologers (Daniel 1:17, 20).
Read it in the Bible: Daniel 1:1–21 (KJV)
1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. 3And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. 8But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat. 16Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. 20And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. 21And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Questions to ask
What did Daniel purpose in his heart?
That he would not defile himself with the king’s meat or the wine which he drank (Daniel 1:8).
What did Daniel ask to eat and drink for ten days?
Pulse to eat and water to drink (Daniel 1:12).
What did God give the four young men?
Knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom (Daniel 1:17).
What this story teaches
- God wants us to decide in our hearts to obey Him (Daniel 1:8).
- We can stand for God in a kind and respectful way (Daniel 1:8, 12).
- God can give us favour with the people around us (Daniel 1:9).
- All true knowledge and wisdom are gifts from God (Daniel 1:17).
- Young people can be an example of faith (1 Timothy 4:12).
Jesus Always Obeyed the Father
Daniel chose to please God, even far from home. Jesus always did the things that pleased His Father, and the Father was always with Him.
John 8:29
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to help us decide in our hearts to obey Him, even when others do not. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Even when we are young and far from home, we can choose to honour God.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say 1 Timothy 4:12 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · activity · indoors · about 10 minutes
Veggie Taste Test
You need: Veggies and dip, cups of water (check for allergies)
- Set out a few kinds of vegetables.
- Kids try each one and vote for their favorite.
- Tell how Daniel and his friends ate vegetables and water for ten days, and God blessed them.
Daniel purposed in his heart to honor God, and God gave him favor and wisdom.
For youth group · activity · indoors or out · about 10 minutes
Ten-Day Challenge
You need: Challenge cards
- Each person picks a ten-day challenge that honors God: no soda, Bible before phone, a kind word every day.
- Write it down and tell a partner.
- Check in with your partner every day for ten days.
Daniel decided ahead of time, “purposed in his heart”. Decide before the pressure comes.
Pray
Ask God to help us decide in our hearts to obey Him, even when others do not.