Welcome to CALLED Men’s Group!  If you're looking to move forward in your faith, then this is the place for you!  We are a group of men, called by God to understand who He is, who we are, and what we are CALLED to do for Him!  We study the Bible & discuss together, find projects where we can give back, and encourage each other in spiritual growth! 

INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is the tenth meeting of the Fall 2026 Semester for the Called Men’s
Growth Group. We have 2 weeks left this semester; we will meet every Wednesday through November 11, 2026.
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Tonight, we are continuing our SOAP Bible study - Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions, of the
book of Daniel. Reminder: there are no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend, and you do
not have to have been at a previous meeting or a prior semester to attend tonight.

Our purpose tonight, is to come together, read and study God’s word; we should develop an understanding, grow in
our faith and have a friendly discussion. Keep in mind, we are all in different places in our faith journey; we all come
from various backgrounds and have different points of view. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been a believer for 10 seconds,
10-years, or an entire lifetime; everyone is welcome; everyone has a voice and everyone has value. If there are
different points of view, we should not be hostile to one another or feel attacked; it is our various points of view that
adds to the discussion. We came together tonight as friends and brothers in Christ, and we should leave the same -
friends and brothers in Christ.

We need to remember – often there is no clear right or wrong answer; there is only interpretation of scripture. Biblical
scholars don’t even agree all the time; ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.

Reminder: Sometimes we are the only Bible people will ever read. We represent Christ wherever we go. So, we need
represent Christ well in all situations. /// Go around the room and have people introduce themselves. ///

BACKGROUND, HISTORY AND AUDIENCE:
The Book of Daniel stands out in the Old Testament as a unique combination of stories and visions. Written partly in
Hebrew and partly in Aramaic, it captures the tension of God's people living as exiled minorities in a hostile, pagan
empire.
It is also a survival manual for believers living as a minority in a secular culture. Written in a blend of court narrative
and visions, the Book shows how God remains sovereign even when His people are living under pagan rule.

1. Historical Setting: The Babylonian Exile
The book begins in 605 BC, during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon besieged
Jerusalem. Rather than destroying the city immediately, Nebuchadnezzar took the young men of noble and royal
families back to Babylon. The goal was forced assimilation: strip them of their culture, rename them after pagan
gods, re-educate them in Babylonian literature and science, and deploy them into royal service.

Daniel (renamed Belteshazzar) and his three friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (renamed Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego)—were swept into this system as teenagers and subjected to a three-year Babylonian re-
education program designed to strip them of their Jewish identity and assimilate them into pagan service.

Daniel served faithfully through the rise and fall of two world empires: the Babylonian Empire (under
Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar) and the Medo-Persian Empire (under Darius and Cyrus).

2. Structural Overview: Two Distinct Halves, The book splits cleanly into two major sections across 12 chapters:
Chapters 1–6 Court Narratives -- Daniel and his friends standing firm under pressure in Babylon and Persia (Fiery
Furnace, Lion's Den, Writing on the Wall).
Chapters 7–12 Apocalyptic Visions -- Symbolic visions granted directly to Daniel, predicting the rise and fall of world
empires and God's final victory.

The Book of Daniel speaks to two distinct audiences—the immediate historical readers and future generations:
a). Jewish Exiles in Babylon and Persia (6th Century BC):
The primary audience consisted of God’s displaced people living in captivity. Stripped of their land, the Temple,
and political independence, many Jews wondered if the pagan gods of Babylon had defeated the God of Israel.
Daniel was written to reassure them that God had not lost control.

b). Believers Facing Cultural & Political Pressure, The bilingual structure of the book highlights its dual audience:
The Two Languages: Uniquely, Daniel was written in both Aramaic, and Hebrew.

• Aramaic Section (Chapters 2–7): Written in the common trade language of the empire to

declare God’s ultimate authority to the gentile nations and surrounding cultures. , making it
readable to the broader ancient world.

• Hebrew Sections (Chapters 1 & 8–12): Written specifically for the Jewish people to provide

comfort, hope, and prophetic clarity about the future.

3. Timeline of Empires
Daniel lived a remarkably long life, serving through the fall of the Babylonian Empire and into the rise of the Medo-
Persian Empire.

• 605 BC: Deportation to Babylon, Reign of Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel is taken captive to Babylon as a teenager

and enters royal service (Daniel 1).

• 539 BC: Fall of Babylon, Reign of Belshazzar - Babylon falls in a single night after the "handwriting on the wall"

judgment (Daniel 5).

• 539–536 BC: Medo-Persian Rule, Reign of Darius & Cyrus - Persia takes over; Daniel serves under King Darius

and experiences the lions' den (Daniel 6).

4. Core Purpose and Takeaways
For a reader navigating the text today, the Book of Daniel delivers three primary themes:
a. Uncompromising Integrity: Showing how to draw a line in the sand or establishing a boundary on convictions
while maintaining respect and excellence in work (Daniel 1 & 6).
b. The Limits of Human Power: Kings, presidents, and empires think they hold ultimate power, but God sets
boundaries on every earthly ruler (Daniel 4).
c. The Coming Kingdom: The visions in the second half point forward to an eternal kingdom established by
"someone like a Son of Man" (Daniel 7:13–14)—a prophecy Jesus directly applied to Himself in the Gospels.

5. Major Themes in Daniel
The Book of Daniel serves as the apocalyptic anchor of the Old Testament, bridging ancient Near Eastern history with
end-times prophecy. The book is structured around five major visions and prophetic dreams that outline the rise and
fall of world empires, the arrival of the Messiah, and the ultimate establishment of God's everlasting kingdom.
A. The Sovereignty of God Over World Empires
The dominant theme throughout the book is that human kingdoms, no matter how powerful, are temporary. God
determines who rises and falls.

B. Faithfulness in Culture (Uncompromising Integrity)
Daniel and his friends demonstrate how to live faithfully under hostile pagan rule without compromising core
convictions, whether refusing non-kosher royal food (Ch. 1), refusing to bow to an idol (Ch. 3), or continuing daily
prayer despite a royal decree (Ch. 6).

C. The Coming Eternal Kingdom
Daniel's visions introduce the foundational Old Testament imagery of the "Son of Man"—a messianic figure who
receives an everlasting kingdom from God (the Ancient of Days). Jesus frequently used this exact title ("Son of
Man") for Himself in the Gospels.

PRAYER: This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your
word. Lord thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus. Father, give me courage as we put our trust in you with our
future; thank you for your presence and Your power that conquers all evil and evil forces that come against us that we
cannot defeat on our own. In Jesus name – Amen

Scripture - Read: Daniel Chapter 10 (21 Verses)

Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)

Discussion Questions: Daniel Chapter 10
Daniel chapter 10 pulls back the invisible curtain between the physical world and the heavenly realms, serving as the
dramatic prologue to the final, sweeping prophetic revelation of chapters 11 and 12. Set in the third year of King Cyrus
of Persia, an aged Daniel enters a three-week period of mourning, fasting, and intense prayer beside the Tigris River.
The chapter provides one of Scripture’s most detailed glimpses into spiritual warfare, angelic ministry, and the unseen
cosmic conflicts that influence earthly geopolitical affairs.
Key Takeaway: "Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble
yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer."
— Daniel 10:12

Discussion Questions
1. Mourning Amid Partial Restoration (Daniel 10:1–3) In the third year of Cyrus, some Jewish exiles had already
returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel, yet Daniel remains in Persia, mourning for three full weeks. He eats no rich
food, touches no meat or wine, and uses no fragrant lotions.

• Question: Why might Daniel have been mourning even though the decree to return home had already been

issued (consider Ezra 4 and the intense opposition rebuilding the temple faced)? How do you maintain spiritual
burden and intercession for God’s work even when initial victories or partial answers have already arrived?

2. The Vision by the Great River (Daniel 10:4–6) Standing on the bank of the Tigris River, Daniel looks up and sees a
heavenly figure dressed in linen with a belt of pure gold, a body like chrysolite/gemstones, a face like lightning, eyes
like flaming torches, limbs like polished bronze, and a voice like the roar of a vast multitude.
Question: This description closely mirrors the Apostle John’s vision of the glorified Christ in Revelation
1:12–16. How does encountering the sheer brilliance, purity, and holiness of God’s heavenly messengers
shatter our casual, domesticated concepts of God and the spiritual world?

3. The Solitude of Spiritual Revelation (Daniel 10:7–9) Daniel alone sees the vision. The men with him see nothing, yet
sudden terror grips them and they flee to hide. Left alone, Daniel’s strength drains completely away, his face turns
deathly pale, and he faints face down in the dust at the sound of the being's voice.
Question: Spiritual insight often involves loneliness; those around Daniel sensed the atmospheric weight of
God's presence without understanding what was happening. Have you ever felt isolated or misunderstood by
peers when God was doing a deep, sobering work in your life? How did you navigate that tension?

4. Heaven’s Assessment: "Very Precious to God" (Daniel 10:10–11) A hand touches Daniel, setting him trembling on
his hands and knees. The messenger addresses him: "Daniel, you are very precious to God... Stand up, for I have been
sent to you."
Question: Daniel was physically exhausted, overwhelmed, and flattened by holy awe, yet the angel’s first
words reaffirm his identity: he is deeply loved and highly valued by God. When you feel spiritually drained or
spiritually inadequate, why is it essential to anchor your confidence in God’s love rather than your personal
strength?

5. Immediate Answers vs. Invisible Delays (Daniel 10:12) The messenger tells Daniel: "Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since
the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard
in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer."
Question: Daniel prayed and fasted for twenty-one full days before the answer visibly arrived, yet heaven
responded on day one. How does knowing that God acts immediately when you humble your heart encourage
you not to give up when you experience long delays in prayer?

6. The Cosmic Conflict Behind the Curtain (Daniel 10:13, 20) The messenger reveals the reason for the delay: "For
twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came
to help me, because I was left there with the king of Persia." He later notes he must return to fight the prince of Persia,
and after that, the prince of Greece will come.
Question: Scripture reveals that fallen spiritual powers actively contest and attempt to influence world
empires and government policies. How does understanding that earthly political tensions often have unseen
demonic roots reshape how you pray for your nation and world leaders?

7. Human Weakness and Angelic Strengthening (Daniel 10:15–19) Daniel tells the messenger that his strength is gone
and he can barely breathe. The messenger touches his lips and his body, saying: "Don’t be afraid... for you are very
deeply loved by God. Be at peace! Take heart and be strong!" As the angel speaks, Daniel reports: "I felt strengthened
and said, 'Now you may speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.'"
Question: Three separate times the messenger physically touches and verbally strengthens Daniel. What does
this teach us about God's gentleness toward human physical limits? Where do you currently need the Holy
Spirit to minister peace and strength into your physical or emotional weariness?

8. The Ministry of Michael the Great Prince (Daniel 10:21) The angel notes that no one stands with him against these
demonic forces except Michael, "your prince"—the archangel specifically assigned to guard and defend God’s covenant
people.
Question: God uses angelic hosts to actively contend for and protect His people behind the scenes. How does
knowing that God deploys heavenly resources on behalf of His church build your confidence when cultural and
spiritual opposition seems overwhelming?

9. Preparation for the Written Truth (Daniel 10:14, 21) The messenger explains the purpose of his arrival: to make
Daniel understand what will happen to his people in the future, noting that he will first reveal what is written in the
"Book of Truth."
Question: Before Daniel is entrusted with the intense, granular geopolitical prophecies of chapters 11 and 12,
God first settles his heart, reminds him of his beloved status, and shows him the reality of spiritual warfare.
Why must our hearts be grounded in God’s character and peace before we try to grapple with heavy prophetic
or cultural truths?

Supporting Scripture to Review: (Discuss Among the Group)
1. On Mourning, Fasting, and Contrite Seeking
Scripture Reference: Ezra 9:3–6 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Upon learning of the people’s unfaithfulness, Ezra
tears his tunic and cloak, pulls hair from his head and beard, and sits down appalled until the evening sacrifice. At that
time, surrounded by those who tremble at the words of God, he rises from his mourning, falls on his knees with hands
spread out to the Lord, and confesses with deep shame that their sins are piled higher than their heads and their guilt
reaches up to the heavens.
Connection to Daniel 10: Mirrors Daniel 10:2–3, where Daniel enters three full weeks of deep mourning,
abstaining from rich food, meat, wine, and festive oils. Both statesmen demonstrate that genuine intercession
for the spiritual condition of God's people requires personal sorrow, bodily fasting, and solemn humility before
heaven.

2. On the Vision of the Glorified Celestial Being
Scripture Reference: Revelation 1:13–17 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): John sees one like the Son of Man standing
among seven golden lampstands, dressed in a long robe with a gold sash across His chest. His head and hair are white
like wool or snow, His eyes blaze like flames of fire, His feet resemble polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His
voice booms like the roar of rushing waters. In His hand are seven stars, a sharp two-edged sword comes from His
mouth, and His face shines like the sun in all its brilliance. When John sees Him, he falls at His feet as though dead, but
the Lord places His right hand on him and tells him not to be afraid.

Connection to Daniel 10: Connects directly to Daniel’s encounter by the Tigris River in Daniel 10:5–9. The
golden belt, eyes like flaming torches, limbs like polished bronze, face like lightning, booming voice, and
Daniel's resulting physical collapse face down in the dirt serve as the Old Testament precursor to John’s vision
on the island of Patmos.

3. On Human Fragility and Overwhelming Awe Before Divine Glory
Scripture Reference: Isaiah 6:1–5 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah sees the Lord
seated on a high and exalted throne, the hem of His robe filling the temple. Attending seraphim call out to one another
that holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and the earth is full of His glory. At the sound of their voices, the
doorposts shake and the sanctuary fills with smoke. Terrified, Isaiah cries out in despair, declaring himself ruined and
doomed because he is a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips, yet his eyes have seen the King.
Connection to Daniel 10: Reflects Daniel’s physical and emotional reaction in Daniel 10:8–9 and 10:16–17.
Encountering the raw purity and majesty of heaven strips away all human self-assurance, leaving both Isaiah
and Daniel completely powerless, drained of strength, and breathless until divinely touched and cleansed.

4. On Heaven Answering Prayer from the Very First Day
Scripture Reference: Psalm 139:1–5 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): David reflects on the Lord’s intimate knowledge,
noting that God has examined his heart and knows everything about him. The Lord knows when he sits down or stands
up and perceives his thoughts from afar; He charts his path, knows where he stops to rest, and is familiar with all his
ways. Before a single word is formed on David's tongue, the Lord already knows it completely, surrounding him front
and back with His protecting hand.
Connection to Daniel 10: Connects to the angelic revelation in Daniel 10:12: "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the
first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been
heard in heaven." Even when Daniel saw no tangible outcome for twenty-one days, God was intimately
attuned to his heart and had dispatched the answer the moment his prayer began.

5. On the Unseen Warfare of Dark Spiritual Rulers
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:10–14 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Paul commands believers to be strong in the
Lord and in His mighty power, putting on the full armor of God to stand against the devil’s schemes. He explains that
our struggle is not against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against
mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Because of this, believers must take up
every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the evil day and stand firm.
Connection to Daniel 10: Daniel 10:13 and 10:20 pull back the veil on this exact realm of invisible warfare. The
angel explains that his journey was contested for twenty-one days by the demonic "spirit prince of the
kingdom of Persia" and that he would soon have to battle the "prince of Greece," demonstrating that
geopolitical regimes are influenced by territorial spiritual forces.

6. On Michael the Archangel Defending God's People
Scripture Reference: Jude 1:8–10; Revelation 12:7–9 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Jude notes that even Michael,
one of the mightiest archangels, did not dare bring an insulting accusation when disputing with the devil over Moses'
body, but simply declared, "The Lord rebuke you!" Meanwhile, Revelation describes war breaking out in heaven, with
Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon and its angels. The ancient serpent, called the devil and Satan, is not
strong enough to hold his ground and is hurled down to the earth alongside his forces.

Connection to Daniel 10: Corresponds to Daniel 10:13 and 10:21, which introduce Michael as "one of the
archangels" and "your prince" who stepped in to assist the messenger against the prince of Persia. Daniel
identifies Michael as the heavenly warrior prince specifically charged with protecting God's covenant nation
against adversarial demonic powers.

7. On Angels Ministering and Imparting Supernatural Strength
Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 19:4–8 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): Fleeing for his life into the wilderness, Elijah sits
under a broom tree and prays that he might die, confessing he has had enough. As he lies asleep, an angel touches him
and tells him to get up and eat. Looking around, Elijah finds fresh bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water. He
eats, drinks, and sleeps again until the angel touches him a second time, warning him that the journey is too great for
him alone. Strengthened by that food, he travels forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God.
Connection to Daniel 10: Parallels Daniel 10:10, 16, and 18–19, where Daniel is three times physically touched
by a celestial messenger. The angel gently recognizes Daniel's physical exhaustion, restores his speech, speaks
peace and courage into his spirit, and supplies the physical strength he needs to stand and receive revelation.

8. On Believers Being Deeply Loved by Heaven
Scripture Reference: Zephaniah 3:14–17 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): The prophet calls the daughter of Zion to
sing and rejoice with all her heart, because the Lord has taken away her punishment and driven out her enemies. The
King of Israel is in her midst, and there is no longer reason to fear disaster. On that day, Jerusalem is told not to be
afraid or let her hands hang limp, because the Lord her God is with her as a mighty Savior who delights in her with
gladness, calms her with His love, and rejoices over her with joyful songs.
Connection to Daniel 10: Directly echoes the tender assurance spoken to Daniel in Daniel 10:11 and 10:19:
"Daniel, you are very precious to God" and "Don't be afraid... for you are very deeply loved by God. Be at peace!
Take heart and be strong!" In the midst of cosmic warfare and intimidating visions, God's anchoring message
to His servant is His deep, delighting love.

9. On Prophetic Revelation Sealed in the Heavenly Book of Truth
Scripture Reference: Psalm 119:89–92, 160 Passage Overview (Paraphrase): The psalmist declares that the Lord's
word stands firm forever, settled unchangeably in heaven. God’s faithfulness extends to every generation, just as He
established the earth and it stands. Everything serves His sovereign purposes to this day. Had God's law not been the
psalmist’s delight, he would have perished in his misery; he concludes in verse 160 that the very essence of God's
words is truth, and every righteous regulation endures forever.
Connection to Daniel 10: Connects to Daniel 10:21, where the angel explains the purpose of his mission: "I will
tell you what is written in the Book of Truth." This confirms that the geopolitical turmoil and detailed historical
prophecies unveiled in chapters 11 and 12 are not subject to human whim or demonic interference; they are
already fixed and settled within the sovereign counsel of God.

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Other questions to explore:

• What was the context? What was going on at the time this was written?
• What and where is this happening?
  • What makes what was happening meaningful?
  • Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?
• Who is involved?
  • How do they respond to God?
  • What character traits do you notice about them?
  • What is the significance of their involvement?

• What do you think is the key message?
• Did anything that surprised or stood out to you? What was it? Share with the group and discuss.
• Are there any key verses that stand out to you? Discuss among the group.
• Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you? What were they?

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• Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss, and

research.

• Biggest takeaway?

Elements of today’s Bible study were referenced from:
1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation
https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/
2. ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway,
Wheaton, Illinois.
3. NIV Study Bible, Revolution, copyright 2011. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV); copyright 1973,
1978, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan. https://www.zondervan.com/p/niv-bibles-for-teens- true-images-revolution/
4. NLT Parallel Study Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2011 Tyndale House Ministries
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation
5. HCSB/CSB The Apologetics Study Bible, copyright 2007. The Holy Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible
(HCSB/CSB); copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holmon Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
7. https://www.jeremiahstudybible.com/Daniel/

August 2026:
_X_ 001, 08/26 Daniel, Introduction, Chapter 1
September 2026:
_X _ 002, 09/02 Daniel, Chapter 2
_ x_ 003, 09/09 Daniel, Chapter 3
_ x_ 004, 09/16 Daniel, Chapter 4
_x _ 005, 06/23 Daniel, Chapter 5
_ x_ 006, 06/30 Daniel, Chapter 6
October 2026:
_ x_ 007, 10/07 Daniel, Chapter 7
_ x_ 008, 10/14 Daniel, Chapter 8
_ x_ 009, 10/21 Daniel, Chapter 9
_ x_ 010, 10/28 Daniel, Chapter 10
November 2026:
_ _ 011, 11/04 Daniel, Chapter 11
_ _ 012, 11/11 Daniel, Chapter 12*