Overnight With the Lions by Jennifer Leigh Edwards

$The Children\'s Chapel$

Overnight with the Lions
by Jennifer Leigh Edwards

Sally was a little girl who was always very sick. She had a sore throat almost all the time. The doctor said if they removed her tonsils she would feel much better. She had never been to a hospital and it made her really scared to even think about it. To make matters worse, her friends added to her fears by telling her how horrible hospitals and operations can be. The doctor assured her that she would be asleep during the whole procedure but she wondered if she'd wake up too soon. Sometimes she even worried about dying.

Sally's mom saw her crying one day and asked her what was wrong.

“I don't want to go to the hospital,” she whispered through her hoarse throat.

“It will be okay, sweetheart,” her mother comforted. “In fact, I had the same thing when I was your age,” she continued.

“You did?” Sally questioned.

“I surely did!” her mom replied. “The nurses were kind and even gave me Popsicles. It wasn't so bad, and I've felt a lot better since then.”

“Were you as scared as I am?” Sally asked.

“Yes, until my mommy told me to trust in God,” Mom replied.

“What do you mean ‘trust in God’?” Sally questioned.

“Well, my mommy helped me pray and ask God to help me not be so scared; and you know what? He did! When I trusted God to be with me in the hospital, He helped me not to worry about how much it would hurt.”

“Wow! Can we try that?” Sally asked excitedly.

“We surely can!” Mom replied.

They prayed together; then Sally asked a few more questions. Finally she got ready for bed. She slept very well that night. The next day, she said, “You know, Mommy, God helped me not to worry so much.”

“Good! Doesn't it make you feel better when you trust God to help you and to be with you?” Mom asked with a smile.

“It surely does!” Sally replied.

A few days later Sally had the operation, and everything went well. The nurses were kind and gave her Popsicles just like her mom had said. Her friends came to visit her in the hospital and brought get-well cards and stuffed animals so she wouldn't feel so lonely. Before she knew it, she was packing up all those cards and gifts and leaving the hospital. Sally understood that she didn't have to worry so much, because she remembered that God was with her and she trusted Him.

Long ago, the king of Babylon died and a new king, Darius, became ruler. He let 120 princes rule over the country and appointed three men over them. Daniel was one of those men. King Darius liked Daniel so much, that he wanted to make him the next ruler of Persia when he died. But…

…the other leaders didn't like that plan. They were angry and jealous so they plotted and schemed against Daniel. They watched him every day, all day long, hoping they could see Daniel do something inappropriate so they could report him to the king. Day after day, week after week, they tried to find fault with Daniel; however, they could find nothing wrong with him. He obeyed all the laws of the land, and all of God's laws. He seemed to be perfect in every way. They finally gave up and said among themselves, “If we are going to succeed in finding fault with Daniel, we must make a new law that defiles a law of his God.”

Since they had watched Daniel so carefully for such a long time, it didn't take much thinking for them to come up with a “perfect” plan. They wrote a brand new law that said for the next 30 days, any person found praying to anyone or anything except King Darius would be thrown into a den of HUNGRY lions. Then they took their new law to the king for his approval.

King Darius had no idea that his favorite prince, Daniel, prayed to God three times every single day and that the other princes were trying to lay a trap to get him into trouble. When King Darius read the new law that was presented to him, he thought it was a pretty good idea. He also wanted to make his princes happy so that they would continue to do his wishes. Without giving it any more thought, he immediately signed the new law and sealed it with his special ring, meaning that the law could never be broken or changed.

Of course, this put Daniel into quite a predicament. As the head prince, obviously he was expected to obey ALL the laws of the land. On the other hand, he knew he could not displease God. Even though he knew of the new law, he went to his upstairs window looking toward Jerusalem, and prayed to God just as he had done all of his life. Three times a day, every day, he went to that window and prayed to God.

The princes, knowing Daniel's habits, had been keeping a close eye on him. They noticed that Daniel was still praying to God, and they went directly to King Darius. “Look, Daniel does not obey your law!” they exclaimed. “He continues to pray to his God.”

When King Darius heard that news, he was quite upset because he favored Daniel. He didn't want to harm Daniel and tried to find a way to help him, but he could not because the law was set and could not be changed. At sundown King Darius reluctantly gave the order to have Daniel thrown into the lions' den.

King Darius called down to Daniel: “May your God rescue you!” He was hoping against all hope that Daniel's God WOULD rescue him. Then several men rolled a large stone over the opening. Using his signet ring and the signet rings of his highest officials, he sealed it, that no one would open it.

King Darius sadly returned to his palace. He went to bed without eating dinner or having any sort of entertainment because he was worried about Daniel. He couldn't sleep all night. He tossed and turned and worried. He wondered if there was any possibility at all that Daniel might have survived the night.

Finally the long night was over and the stars began to disappear. At the crack of dawn, King Darius arose and hurried to the den of HUNGRY lions. He ordered his men to open it and he called out, “Daniel! Has your God saved you?”

Daniel answered back, “O King, live forever! God has sent an angel to close the mouths of the HUNGRY lions. They haven't hurt me. God has found favor with me because I am innocent in his eyes. Neither have I done any wrong to you.”

King Darius was overjoyed to hear Daniel's voice and immediately ordered his men to pull Daniel out of the den. He looked Daniel over carefully, amazed that the lions had not harmed him in any way. The king then commanded that those princes who had schemed against Daniel to be thrown into the den of HUNGRY lions.

King Darius was so thankful that Daniel was safe, that he wrote a proclamation to all the people in his entire kingdom, that they should listen to God because He is the true Living God, and they should not pray or bow down to any other god or person, including himself.

THINK!

1. What made King Darius like Daniel so much?
2. What made the other princes hate Daniel?
3. What scheme did the princes devise to cause trouble for Daniel?
4. Did Daniel change his godly habits in order to save his own life?
5. How did God protect Daniel?
6. What proclamation did King Darius make when he discovered Daniel was alive?

REMEMBER!

Always trust in God and don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe.

A VERSE TO LEARN

“My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths,
that they have not hurt me” (Daniel 6:22).

ALTERNATE VERSES TO LEARN:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every
one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and
grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness
they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29).

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Can you think of reasons why you ought not to be
ashamed of believing in God? How can you become
bold for God as Daniel was?

[After discussion:] God is almighty and
all-knowing and loves you very, very much. He can
help you in every situation. That is nothing to be
ashamed of.

We can become bold for Him by praying to God to
help us become strong in our faith. Also, the more
we read the Bible and spend time with God, the
stronger our faith becomes.

LET'S PRAY

****************************************************
Dear God, thank You for being with me through
all situations. Please help me to remember to
trust in You and give me the courage to stand up
for what is right. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
****************************************************

CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
Daniel 6

Daniel was thrown into the Lions' Den (online)
Daniel in the Lions' Den with Memory Verse (online)
Online coloring Page - Daniel in the Lion's Den (online)
My Bible Stories Coloring Book with Stickers Volume 1
Bible Heroes Coloring Book

Action Bible Coloring Book
Coloring Through the Bible (online)
Beginner's Bible Super-Duper Mighty Jumbo Coloring Book
Bible Stories Kids Love Coloring Book (ages 2 to 4)
Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages for Elementary Kids

God Loves You Coloring Book:
A Read-aloud Coloring Book About God's Plan for Salvation

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, Coloring Book
My Bible Coloring Book
My Gospel Story by Colors--Activity Book
The Awesome Coloring Book of Bible Comics
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Coloring & Art
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Verse Coloring Pages
Children's Bible Coloring Books

Jigsaw Puzzle (online)
Cut, color, and Scramble Activity (online)
Daniel Crossword Puzzle (online)
Daniel Wordsearch Puzzle (online)
Daniel and the Lion's Den Tales of Glory Play Set
Daniel in the Lions' Den 24-Piece Puzzle
Daniel Online Word Search (online)
Word Search, Crossword Puzzle, and Fill in the Blanks (pdf) (online)

Best Book of Bible Activities
Bible Puzzles: Word Search
Big Book Of Bible Puzzles
Big Book Of Bible Story Activity Pages V1
Bingo (online)
Children's Activity Books
Children's Puzzles
Christian and educational toys
Crossword Books
Encyclopedia Of Bible Games For Children's Ministry
Games
Jumbo Bible Activity Book 4
Memory Verse Games for Kids
Sticker Books
The Super Sized Book of Bible Puzzles

Paper Bag Lion Puppet (online)
Circle Lion Paper Craft (online)
Daniel and the Lions' Den Paper Craft (online)
Easy Lion Paper Plate Craft (online)

Bible Crafts
Bible Craft Videos (online)
Crafting the Word of God (online)

Easy-to-Make Bible Crafts PDF for Kids
& Digital Album Download [PDF Download]

Encyclopedia Of Bible Crafts For Preschoolers
Hot Crafts for Cool Kids pdf download
Maker-ific WOWS! (ages 8-12): 54 Surprising Bible Crafts

More! Bible Crafts on a Shoe String Budget:
Paper Sacks & Cardboard Tubes
(Reproducible: Ages 5-10)

Puppet Crafts For Kids (online)

The Big Picture Bible Crafts:
101 Simple and Amazing Crafts to Help Teach Children the Bible

Daniel Was a Man of Prayer (with sheet music) (online)
Bible Songs About Daniel (online)
Daniel & the Lions - Donut Man (listen online)
100 Singalong Bible Songs for Kids DVD (Cedarmont Kids)
Dare To Be A Daniel [Cedarmont Kids Music Download]
Here, Kitty Kitty (listen online)
Tell Me about the Bible (with stickers & CD): Wonder Kids-Train 'Em Up
They Threw Daniel in the Lions' Den (Buddy Davis)
They Threw Daniel in the Lions' Den - Buddy Davis (listen online)
VeggieTales: Daniel and the Lions' Den (online)
VeggieTales: Fear Not, Daniel (listen online)
VeggieTales: My Name Is Daniel (listen online)
When I Am Afraid (listen online)

100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs
Action Bible Songs
Bible Songs on CD
Bible Songs on DVD
150 All-Time Favorite Veggietunes
100 Singalong Bible Songs For Kids

Platinum Bible Collection of Classic Christian Songs on DVD
The Bible in a Minute (online)

25 Favorite Sunday School Songs
Children's Music

Daniel - Read and Listen (online)
Daniel and the Hungry Lions
Daniel and the Lions Arch Book
Daniel y los Leones, Bilingüe (Daniel and the Lions, Bilingual—I Can Read)
Daniel and the Lions Den (Arch Books)
Daniel en el Foso de los Leones (Daniel and the Roaring Lions)(Arch Books)
Daniel, God's Faithful Follower: Biblical Values (I Can Read Series)

Discover 4 Yourself, Children's Bible Study Series:
Fast Forward to The Future, Daniel 7-12

Lions and Daniel - Read and Listen (online)
The Beginner's Bible Daniel and the Lions Den (Beginner's Bible)
The Praying Prince: The Story of Daniel

Beginner's Bible
Beginner's Bible for Little Ones
Bible in Pictures For Toddlers
Bible stories
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Early Reader's Bible
100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs w/2 CD
Pilgrim's Progress for Kids
Spanish Children's Books

365 Activities For Kids:
A Bible Story And Activity For Each Day Of The Year

365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories
The Complete Illustrated Children's Bible
The Picture Bible (also in Spanish)
The Preschooler's Bible
Toddler's Bible

Daniel and the Lions [Donut Man Music Download]

Grandes Heroes y Leyendas de la Biblia:
Den Daniel y el Cubil del Leon

Greatest Heroes and Legends: Daniel and the Lions' Den (online)
Sally Lloyd-Jones: Daniel and the Scary Sleepover (online)
Superbook: Roar! Daniel and the Lions' Den (online)

VeggieTales: Heroes of the Bible:
David & Goliath, Esther, and Daniel in the Lions' Den DVD

What's in the Bible: God Speaks —
Isaiah, Jeremiah & the Prophets

Where's God When I'm Scared? (VeggieTales DVD)

All the Shows, Volume 1: 1993-1999
Do You Wonder Why? (online)
God's Story from Creation to Eternity (online)
Read and Share Toddler Bible with DVD
The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit
Bible story DVDs
Children's DVDs

Resources for Parents and Teachers

Be Resolute (Daniel) by Warren W. Wiersbe
Daniel 2 (online)

Legends of Faith - Issue 1: Jonathan / David /
Noah / Daniel - PDF Download [Download]

Daniel Crafts (online)
It's Cool in the Furnace Children's Musical
Lion Crafts and coloring Pages (online)

Free Bible story images (online)
801 Questions Kids Ask About God
Absentee Postcards
African American Resources
Almost Every Answer for Practically Any Teacher
Bible for Children in 232 languages (online)
Children's Ministry
Bible Memory Match Game
Big Book of Bible Games
Bulletin Board helps
Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul
Children's Sermon (online)
Church Supplies
Closing Prayer (online)

FREE materials to Bible schools, Bible colleges, seminaries,
churches, missionaries & individuals worldwide (online)

52 Games That Teach The Bible
Free educational videos (online)
God's Servants Teach Me

God's Wisdom for Little Boys:
Character-Building Fun from Proverbs

Help! I'm a Sunday School Teacher
How To Lead a Child To Christ
How to Make Bible Characters from Milk Cartons (online)
KidMin ToolBox: Boxed Book Set
King James Version Gift & Award Bibles

Leading Little Ones to God:
A Child's Book of Bible Teachings

Lord Teach Me To Pray For Kids
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours
Memory Verse Activities (online)
Memory Verse Resources
Object Talks
Opening Prayer (online)
Parenting Resources
Puppet Scripts
Review Activities for Bible Lessons (online)
Seven Laws of the Learner
Spanish Resources
Sunday school resources
Sunday School Songs: Lyrics and Tunes (online)
Talking to God
Teachers' Reproducible Classroom Pages
Teaching Children Memory Verses Ages 4-5
Teaching Children To Pray Ages 4-5
Teaching to Change Lives
The Beginner's Bible Curriculum Kit
The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit

The Humongous Book of Bible Skits
for Children's Ministry

Vacation Bible School
What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know

Children's resources (online)

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