1. This past weekend we celebrated 16 baptisms. What encouraged you from the testimonies shared in the video? Have          you been baptised?

 a. If so, what stands out to you when you think back to your baptism? In what ways was it meaningful to you?

 b. If you have not yet been baptised, is it something that you are considering? Is anything holding you back? What                     questions do you have?

 2. Read through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, found in Daniel, Chapter 3. Although it’s a familiar story         to many, perhaps there are details that you hadn’t noticed before. Take some time to share what you notice about this       text. Does anything stand out or catch your attention?

 3. Why was it important for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to refuse to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol?             Consider the following scripture passages as you reflect on this together:

 a. Exodus 20:1-17

 b. Psalm 95

 c. Philippians 2:9-11

 4. Re-read Daniel 3:13-18.

 a. What does Nebuchadnezzar’s question in verse 15 reveal about his beliefs?

 b. What does the response from Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego reveal about their beliefs?

 5. In their response to the King, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego revealed that they had an “EVEN IF” kind of faith. They         would trust in God and worship Him alone, regardless of the outcome, even if that meant they ultimately had to face           death in order to remain faithful.

 a. Do you ever struggle to have this kind of faith? In what areas do you sometimes find you have more of an “ONLY IF” kind       of faith – one that puts conditions on your ability or willingness to fully trust God, no matter the circumstances.

 b. Can you share a time when you were able to have an “EVEN IF” kind of faith? Is there a moment where you had the               ability to trust in God, even though God was not responding the way that you had expected or hoped?

 c. What do you think would help you to move away from an “ONLY IF” faith and towards an “EVEN IF” faith? Ie: what would          help strengthen your ability to be faithful to God and trust in him fully through difficult times?

 6. Consider verses 19 to 27. Here, we see that God did not save Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire. Instead,         He saved them through the fire.

 a. What does this reveal about how we should think about the suffering and trials that we face in our own lives?

 b. What does the 4th figure in the fire tell us about God’s presence with us in the midst of difficulties? Can you think of any        scripture passages that reinforce this truth?

 c. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire completely unharmed. What does this reveal about God’s               ability to save?

 7. Consider Christ’s saving work on the cross. What parallels do you see as you reflect on the way that the Lord rescued           Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fire? Does it encourage you to know that we follow a God who doesn’t just       avoid the fire, but enters into it, so that we, along with Him, can overcome it?

Pray

Pray for each other out of the items discussed. Pray that your faith would be strengthened to stand firm in the truths that you believe. Pray that the Lord would reveal areas where you still need to let go of an “ONLY IF” attitude towards him, so that you can place your trust more fully in him, “EVEN IF” He doesn’t move in the ways that you hope or expect. Pray that in the midst of the difficulties you each are facing, the Lord would help you to see and feel His presence with you, and to trust in His ability to bring you through it. Close your pray time by reading Isaiah 43:1-3a.