KEEPING FIT FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST
LESSON FOR THE JUNIOR CLASSES
STUDY SCRIPTURE:
DANIEL 1:8-17 1 TIMOTHY 4:7-8
Key Verse
“Rather discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come”.
1 Timothy 4:7b-8
INTRODUCTION
The righteous King Josiah had died and the nation slipped deeper and deeper into idolatry, abuse of those that could not help themselves, Sabbath breaking in all its forms, and a general disregard for the commandments of God. The question therefore facing the godly people was how to maintain a godly behaviour.
That question faces us today for when circumstances begin to change in a wrong way we have to make a decision as to how we will behave. Not only do adults have a problem but children have a problem for the question parents face is how to strengthen the religious knowledge and life of their children so that they would keep fit spiritually when facing a disastrous turn in life.
Our Lesson Study looks at how some young men led by Daniel behaved when the nation of Israel was captured by the Babylonians and most of the Royal court and skilled tradesmen was deported as captives to Babylon along with treasures from the Temple of the Lord..
Daniel was a young man, it is felt about 12 to 13 years old, and he faced a challenge to his faith when he was taken as a captive to Babylon. Babylon was famous for its idolatry. There were shrines and memorials to a whole range of pagan gods. They did not have any intentions of worshiping the God of Israel. Daniel was accompanied by 3 friends and they all stuck together and supported each other for these were difficult times and they knew their beliefs would be tested, they supported each other in doing what was right in the sight of God.
Daniel’s friends chose to follow God’s laws and when it came to eating from the king’s table which had had rich food and wine, Daniel and his friends chose to follow the dietary laws that the Lord God had given for they knew that much of the food would defile them in the sight of God. All of these young men were brave in standing up for their beliefs even when it was so difficult. Daniel persisted when he tried to get permission from the superiors not to eat the defiling foods and when he was turned down by one official he simply went to get permission from another, depending on God for success.
Daniel was faithful. His friends who supported him were faithful. God therefore blessed Daniel with knowledge and understanding. They did what was right and despite opposition from the pagan rulers they came out on top. Daniel became a top administrator in the kingdom of Babylon and in the succeeding kingdom ruled by the Medes and Persians. Daniel and his friends were honest, maintained their integrity and never did anything to offend God. They were obedient to God on all important matters.
Our Lesson today teaches us how we can keep fit for the sake of others. We are given the example of Daniel and his friends. Our Lesson should teach young people and children the importance of integrity and trust in God in every rough situation they might face.
Our Key Verse therefore stresses that all of us including children and young people come to have to discipline themselves so that they will live lives of godliness. All the other things we can do as we grow up and adopt careers are important, but nothing is as important as trust in God and having integrity, and as well obeying the commandments of God.
It might not always be easy to maintain godliness. But we must remember that the Holy Spirit of God is with all those who belong to God and who are prepared to commit themselves to Him. The Holy Spirit will guide those who are faithful to Him in every step that they must take to keep fit for the sake of others.