The Story
Mar 31, 2019 • Chris Reighley
The Story:
The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
by Mac Lucado & Randy Frazee
The Story tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time!
God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about: the story of the Bible, God’s great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!
Daniel models unwavering conviction in the heart of Babylon, showing us how to live holy lives in hostile cultures. Decades later, God stirs the heart of a pagan king to send His people home. Yet even after exile, God’s people struggle with misplaced priorities. Through Haggai, Zechariah, and the leadership of Ezra, we see that God is not just restoring a nation—He’s rebuilding hearts for worship.
Passages:
- Daniel 1–3; 6; Jeremiah 29–31
- Ezra 1–6; Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1; 8
Main Idea: Faithfulness in exile lays the foundation for restoration at home.
Lesson 12: Daniel in Exile & The Return Home
I. Belly of the Beast – Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 1)
- Daniel and friends are taken from Judah
- Names are changed, culture imposed
- They resolve not to defile themselves with the king’s food
- God honors their faithfulness with wisdom and favor
II. Dreams – God Reveals the Future (Daniel 2)
- Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue
- Only Daniel, by God’s power, can interpret it
- The stone not cut by human hands destroys the kingdoms of the world
- Christ is the eternal King of a coming kingdom
III. Decisions – The Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3)
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow
- Cast into the fiery furnace—but God walks with them
- Nebuchadnezzar praises the one true God
IV. A Message for the New King (Daniel 6)
- Under King Darius, Daniel is targeted for his faith
- He prays despite the threat—thrown into the lions’ den
- God shuts the lions’ mouths—Daniel is delivered
V. Unshakable Promise – Jeremiah’s Letter (Jeremiah 29–31)
- God assures exiles that He has a plan for them (Jer. 29:11)
- They are called to seek the peace of Babylon, but not lose heart
- A new covenant is promised—written not on tablets, but on hearts
VI. Coming Home Again – Return Under Cyrus (Ezra 1)
- Cyrus fulfills prophecy and sends Israelites home
- God stirs hearts and moves history to fulfill His word
VII. Building the Temple – Worship Restored (Ezra 3–4)
- The altar and foundation are rebuilt with mixed emotions
- Opposition rises, and the work halts for years
VIII. Priorities – God Sends Prophets (Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 1; 8)
- Haggai rebukes the people for neglecting the temple
- Zechariah gives visions of hope: “Return to Me…and I will return to you.”
- God calls them to build with courage, purity, and trust
IX. Whatever Is Needed – God Provides (Ezra 5–6)
- Prophets inspire the leaders
- The Persian king affirms the work and funds the temple’s completion
- The temple is finished and dedicated with joy
Key Themes & Takeaways
- You can stand for God even in a culture that doesn’t.
- God’s sovereignty is active in exile, politics, and promises.
- Revival begins when our priorities are aligned with God’s.
- God always keeps His promises—even when we forget them.
- From Babylon to Jerusalem, He is building a people who worship in spirit and truth.