Living Out Your Values to Create a Better Future

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do:

5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp,pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.

6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”

12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.
- Daniel 3:4-6, 12

5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.

6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.

7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says:
- Jeremiah 29:6-8a

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
- Psalm 137:1

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[a] from Your Majesty’s hand.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
- Daniel 3:16-18

Rule #1 – Don’t reconstruct your future by trying to reclaim your past.

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Mixer

What is your favorite memory about school lunch?

‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In Pastor Harry’s 4/27/21 entry, Enthusiasm, he reminds us that we have a choice in how we live each day. How would you finish this list and step into that day with enthusiasm: “Because of who Jesus is and what He can do... today could be the day that ____________ turns around.”

Sermon Questions

Scripture: Daniel 3:4-6, 12-18; Jeremiah 29:6-8; Psalm 137:1

1. How were Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego able to stand for their faith (see Daniel 3:16-18) no matter what? Who are you when the music plays?
2. How do I live beyond Sunday in a world that doesn’t share my values?
   - Do you keep your faith private and you bow to worldly values post Sunday?
   - What does your faith look like when you are standing on the dock with the “salty” fishermen (at work, in parenting, and in relationships)?
3. Pastor Jared said that over time, “feeling the squeeze” will eventually force your faith into apathy. Agree or disagree?
4. Are you looking back at 2020 like the Psalmist in 137:1, sitting by the riverbank crying to return to what was? How can you begin to live out of imagination going forward (What can God use you for in this moment?) instead of out of memory (of what was)?
5. In our city, what are some ways that we can “Be for Babylon”? What does it look like to not condemn or argue, but to wish prosperity and peace upon our city?

Go Deeper - with Goodbook

Dr. Mark Strauss and Pastor Ken Ingold
Week 14 || Chapter 5 || The Life and Letters of Paul: Part 1

1. In what ways was Paul uniquely prepared to be the Apostle to the Gentiles?
2. How did Paul’s passion for his own Jewish faith result in persecution of the Christians?
3. Can you recall the reason for writing and the central theme of Paul’s letter to the Galatians? 1 Thessalonians? 2 Thessalonians? 1 Corinthians? 2 Corinthians?
4. In what ways is Paul’s faith and perseverance a good model for us?

*Are you joining the Goodbook Q&A Zoom on Tuesday evenings? Email ken@thechurchrb.org

Serve

Mark your calendars! Our next Good Neighbor Day is Saturday, May 8! Registration is open at thechurchrb.org/serve or in the Church Center App! Grab your Table Group and be Good Neighbors out there!

Pray

Pray this week that we would be people who would say to the world: “I’m just going to be faithful to my God.” God, renew our faith, strengthen our faith, and fill us with the courage to stand in faith with our brothers and sisters - like Meschach, Shadrach and Abednego - in unity and in passion for You and Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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