Nobody can do what you ask! . . . What you're asking is impossible . . .  Daniel 2:10-11 (Msg) 

Suggestions for This Week’s Study

·         Why do you think we are so fascinated with things that seem to do the impossible?

·         Recognize that only God knows the future and only God can do what is impossible with people.

·         Close in prayer, recognizing that only God knows the future and ask him to help you take the steps Daniel took whenever you are asked to do the impossible. 

We all have an insatiable curiosity to know the future. Why? We think that by knowing it, we can control it. The more insecure you are in life, the more you want to control situations and people. Some of us are so desperate for control—and for hope, really—that we put our trust in all the wrong people and things in order to discover what our future holds. But there are reasons God doesn’t want you to know your future. One of them is so that when you’re asked to do the impossible, as Daniel was, you will put your trust completely in God. As an overview for the lesson, read Daniel 2 and then let’s Talk It Over. 

Open your group with a prayer. This is only a guide – select the points you want to discuss.

“Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends…He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven” Daniel 2:17-19 

1.       No one knows the future except God—not mediums, psychics, fortune tellers. They are just frauds and fakes. To consult any of these counterfeits is failure to trust God. According to Daniel 2:17-19, who did Daniel enlist for help and prayer when he found himself faced with an impossible situation? Who are the people you turn to when you have a challenge that seems impossible to overcome? 

God says, “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.” Jeremiah 33:3 (Msg) 

2.       Share a time when you called out to God and he answered you. How did that experience give you confidence and faith to ask him what you need?  

3.       The test of a true prophet is 100% accuracy. After Daniel prayed and sought God, the Lord revealed to him what the king’s dream had been. As a result of Daniel’s sharing that revelation with the king, others were saved and the king praised Daniel’s God (see Daniel 2:24, 27-30). Who in your life does God want you to talk to about him?  

4.       How do we overcome the things that keep us from sharing what God has shown us?  

5.       There are eight steps Daniel took when he was asked to do the impossible (Daniel 2:14-30): 1) don’t panic or be afraid; 2) ask why; 3) ask for time to get a solution; 4) enlist prayer support from friends; 5) pray and expect God to give you supernatural help; 6) worship God; 7) use what God shows me to save others; and 8) point people to God. In preparation for facing the impossible, which step most needs strengthening? How will you go about fortifying this area?