Lesson 1: DECIDE WHO YOU'LL SERVE BEFORE THE FIRE COMES

Daniel 3:13-16 NIV

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what godwill be able to rescue you from my hand?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 

SETTLE YOUR CONVICTIONS BEFORE YOUR CONVICTIONS ARE TESTED

ROMANS 12:2 NIV

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Lesson 2: TRUST GOD EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW THE OUTCOME

Daniel 3:17-18 NIV

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Proverbs 3:5 NIV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” 

LESSON 3: THE FIRE DOESN'T MEAN GOD HAS LEFT YOU 

Daniel 3:24-35 NLT

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

WHEN you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and WHEN you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. WHEN you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

LESSON 4: SOMETIMES THE FIRE BURNS WHAT WAS HOLDING YOU BACK 

Daniel 3:25 NLT  

“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!

1 Peter 1:7 NLT

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Romans 8:28 NIV 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

LESSON 5: YOUR FAITH IN THE FIRE BECOMES YOUR TESTIMONY 

Daniel 3:27 NLT 

Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

Daniel 3:28 NLT

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

YOUR FAITH THROUGH THE FIRE MAY BECOME SOMEONE ELSE'S REASON TO BELIEVE