Opening the Text

   1. Read Daniel 9:1-3. Daniel has now been in exile for about 66 years. What does his continued faithfulness over such a             long period teach us about what it means to follow God for a lifetime?

  2. In verse 2, Daniel turns to Scripture — specifically Jeremiah's prophecy about the 70 years of exile — and this prompts           him to pray. What does this tell us about the relationship between knowing God's promises and praying?

  3. Throughout most of Daniel, God is referred to with general titles like "the Most High" or "the Ancient of Days." But in this            prayer, Daniel repeatedly uses "LORD" (YHWH) — God's covenant name. Why do you think Daniel shifts to this more                personal, covenantal language here?

Daniel's Prayer of Confession

  4. Read Daniel 9:4-11. Daniel confesses Israel's sin extensively — their rebellion, their refusal to listen to the prophets, their          turning away from God's commands. Yet Daniel himself has been faithful throughout the book. Why do you think he              includes himself in this confession?

  5. In verses 13-14, Daniel admits that even after God's judgment, Israel still "has not sought the favor of the LORD our God          by turning from our sins." Daniel is asking God to restore them even though they haven't changed. How can he dare to          ask this?

  6. Read Daniel 9:17-19. On what basis does Daniel make his request? What phrases show us that Daniel is not appealing          to Israel's merit but to God's character? How does this reshape the way we approach God in prayer — especially when        we feel distant from him or ashamed of our failures?

God's Greater Answer

  7. Read Daniel 9:24. Daniel prayed for an end to exile and a return to the land. But Gabriel's response promises something        far greater: to "finish transgression," "put an end to sin," "atone for wickedness," and "bring in everlasting righteousness."        How does God's answer exceed what Daniel asked for?

  8. Daniel wanted God to deal with a specific instance of suffering caused by Israel's sin. God's answer was to deal with              sin itself. What does this tell us about how God responds to our prayers and longings?

  9. Verse 24 also speaks of anointing "the Most Holy" (or "a most holy one"). How does this point forward to Jesus as the              Messiah — the Anointed One — and what he accomplished through his death and resurrection?

Living as Exiles Who Wait

   10. Daniel rooted his life and prayers in God's promises, even when fulfillment seemed distant. As Christians who are                  waiting for Christ's return, how do we keep ourselves rooted in God's promises rather than simply settling into life in                this world?

  11. The sermon emphasized that God's faithfulness — not our worthiness — is the ground of our hope. How does this truth          free you to pray boldly, even when you feel like you don't deserve to come to God?

  12. God's answer to Daniel pointed to an everlasting Kingdom and a final end to sin — something far greater than a return         to the land. How does keeping the ultimate fulfillment in view help us endure the "in-between" time as we wait for                   Christ's return?