Sunday School Lesson February 14, 2021

Subject: Maintaining Focus on Jesus  

The Point:  Fasting and confession keep us rightly focused on Christ.

The Passage: Daniel 9:1-7, 17-19

Study The Bible: Daniel 9:1-4

1). Fasting helps us focus on greater things than just our physical needs.

1. In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by birth, who was made king over the Chaldean kingdom—

 2.In the first year of his reign, I Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be seventy.

3. So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
4. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: Ah, Lord—the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him and keep his commands—

Lasting truths from: Daniel 9:1-4

• The Bible gives us hope even when our circumstances are dire.
• When God reveals His will in the Word, we must begin to pray even more earnestly.
• Prayer can be strengthened through fasting and confession.

2).   Confession draws our focus to God who forgives.

Daniel 9:5-7

5. we have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commands and ordinances.
6. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, leaders, ancestors, and all the people of the land.
7. Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but this day public shame, belongs to us; the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel—those who are near and those who are far, in all the countries where you have banished them because of the disloyalty they have shown toward you.

Lasting truths from: Daniel 9:5-7

• We can sin against God in many ways.
• Ignoring God’s clearly revealed Word is an offense to God.
• God is not unjust when he brings judgement against sin.
• Confession turns our attention to the God we have offended.

3). Prayer and fasting draw our focus to God who answers.

Daniel 9:17-19

17. Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of your servant. Make your face shine on your desolate sanctuary for the Lord’s sake.
18. Listen closely, my God, and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that bears your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before you based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion.
19. Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for your own sake, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your name.

Lasting truth from: Daniel 9:17-19

• We should focus our prayers on God, who is willing to answer our prayers.
• We should appeal to God based on His character, not on our deserving an answer.
• We represent God’s name to the nations, so we must take care in how we appear to them.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions.

1. In what situations might fasting be appropriate as a spiritual discipline?
2. Why is it necessary that confession be a part of prayer?
3. What is the difference between prayer that is based upon God’s righteousness rather than our own righteousness?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You, In Jesus’ name, Amen”