Lead Pastor, Phil Hopper, teaches in-depth historical insight in our new series on the book of Daniel. Follow along in person, or online with Abundant Life Church’s current sermon series on Daniel, for more background. When studying the bible, there are three questions to ask: Historical Application, “What happened?” Doctrinal Application, “What is God teaching?” and Devotional Application, “How does this apply to my life?” God teaches four points through His word: What to believe (Doctrine), What not to believe (Reproof), What not to do (Correction), and What to do (Instruction). Pastor Phil states, “Daniel was humble, holy, and hopeful. He was not angry nor defiant. That is why he had such profound influence over even pagan and wicked Babylonian kings.” Daniel was one of the many Hebrew children taken from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon. Throughout the bible, “Babylon” is used as a metaphor for a wicked world system, one that is always in opposition to God’s will. The plan was to indoctrinate these young Hebrew children to learn to ways of Babylon. Daniel could never get out of Babylon, but they could never get Babylon into Daniel. He remained faithful to God even when it went against the culture around him. Let this be an inspiration to us today, as this Babylonian world system creeps in again, now dressed as Neo-Marxism, first feeding our children through the education system, and spreading to more areas of our government and culture. The same advice is true for Daniel’s time as it is for ours today; ministry begins in the home. As our children are young and moldable, teach them the truth about who God is, be an example of a heart changed by Jesus, and stand firm in the truth. livingproof.co