A Men’s Study on Daniel, the Apostles, and Paul
Memory Verse
Acts 5:29 (NKJV) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Philippians 1:12 (NKJV) But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.
Overview|Background
For most of history, God’s people have not lived under friendly governments. Israel spent centuries under Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The early church was born under a Roman empire that would eventually call Caesar “lord” and execute those who wouldn’t. Jesus Himself was condemned by a corrupt religious council and an unjust Roman governor who knew He was innocent.
Scripture never pretends this is easy, and it never gives one simple rule for it. Instead it gives us men who lived it. Today we look at three of them. Daniel, carried off as a teenager to serve the empire that destroyed his home, who served it with excellence for seventy years without bending his knee to it. Peter and the apostles, ordered by the authorities to stop speaking about Jesus, who respectfully but flatly refused. And Paul, writing from chains in Rome, who saw his imprisonment as an open door rather than a closed one.
Together they answer three questions every believer under pressure eventually asks: How do I live faithfully inside a system I don’t control? Where is the line where I have to say no? And what is God doing when the regime seems to be winning?
Before we start: Where do you feel the most pressure — at work, in culture, or from authority — to keep your faith quiet or to compromise it?
Section 1 — Daniel: Serve Well, Bow to No One
Read together: Daniel 1:8 (NKJV)
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel was a captive. Babylon had burned Jerusalem, taken him from his family, changed his name, and enrolled him in a program designed to make him a loyal Babylonian. He accepted the new name, the new language, and the new job. But he drew a line early, in his heart, on the thing that mattered — and notice how he did it: he requested. He didn’t stage a protest; he proposed a respectful alternative and let God handle the outcome.
Read together: Daniel 6:4–5, 10 (NKJV)
So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”…
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
Decades later, Daniel is an old man and a top official — and his enemies can’t find a single flaw in his work. The only way to trap him is through his faith. When the law against prayer is signed, Daniel doesn’t change anything. He doesn’t hide, and he doesn’t make a show of it either. He simply does “as was his custom.” His courage in the crisis was built by decades of ordinary faithfulness before it.
Discuss:
- Daniel’s enemies “could find no charge or fault” in his work. If someone wanted to discredit your faith, would your work ethic help them or stop them?
- Daniel decided where his line was before the pressure came (1:8) and kept a daily habit long before the crisis (6:10). What “custom” are you building now that would hold if the pressure came tomorrow?
Section 2 — Peter and the Apostles: Obey God Rather Than Men
Read together: Acts 4:18–20 (NKJV)
So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
The same council that had Jesus crucified now orders Peter and John to stop preaching. Remember who Peter is — the man who, just weeks earlier, denied knowing Jesus to a servant girl. Now he stands before the most powerful men in Jerusalem and politely tells them they’re asking for something he can’t give.
Read together: Acts 5:27–29, 40–42 (NKJV)
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name?…” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.”…
And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
This is the clearest line in the New Testament: when an authority commands what God forbids, or forbids what God commands, we obey God. But look at the posture. The apostles don’t riot, curse the council, or try to seize power. They answer respectfully, accept the beating, and walk out rejoicing — then go right back to work. Their resistance was faithfulness, not rebellion.
Discuss:
- What changed in Peter between the courtyard denial (Luke 22:54–62) and the council chamber? What does that say about where courage actually comes from?
- The apostles “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame.” What would it take for you to see opposition to your faith as an honor rather than a threat?
Section 3 — Paul in Chains: The Gospel Is Not Bound
Read together: Philippians 1:12–14 (NKJV)
But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Paul writes this under arrest in Rome, waiting on a verdict from Caesar Nero — a man who would later execute him. By every worldly measure, the empire has won: the church’s greatest missionary is chained to a soldier. But Paul sees something else. Rotating guards from Caesar’s own elite unit are hearing the gospel shift after shift, and Christians on the outside are getting bolder, not quieter.
Read together: Philippians 1:20–21 and 2 Timothy 2:8–9 (NKJV)
…according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
Here’s the final piece. Daniel showed us how to live inside the system; the apostles showed us where the line is. Paul shows us how to think when the system seems to be crushing us. A regime can chain a man, but it cannot chain the Word of God. And a man who can honestly say “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” has nothing left for a hostile government to take from him.
Discuss:
- Paul’s chains made other believers bolder. How might your response to pressure — at work, in your community, in your family — be strengthening or weakening the faith of the men watching you?
- “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” What are you still holding onto that gives the world leverage over you?
Going Deeper: Scripture on Living Under Authority
Optional — for personal reading during the week, or for the group if time allows.
Seek the welfare of the city — Jeremiah 29:4–7 (NKJV)
Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit… And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. (v. 5, 7)
This is the letter Daniel’s generation received in exile. God didn’t tell them to withdraw or revolt — He told them to build, work, and pray for Babylon’s good. Daniel lived this out for seventy years.
Honor the king — 1 Peter 2:13–17 (NKJV)
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake… For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men… Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Peter wrote this under Nero — the same emperor who would execute him. The same man who said “we ought to obey God rather than men” also said “honor the king.” Both are true: honor is the default, and refusal is reserved for when obedience to man would mean disobedience to God.
The purpose of governing authority — Romans 13:1–7 (NKJV)
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (v. 1)
Paul also wrote under Rome. Read this alongside Acts 5:29 — God establishes authority for order and justice, but no earthly authority sits above Him.
Pray for those in authority — 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NKJV)
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Jesus before Pilate — John 19:10–11 (NKJV)
Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.”
The ultimate example of living under injustice: Jesus stood before an unjust ruler, knowing exactly who was really in charge.
Point of Application
- Be excellent where you’re planted. Like Daniel, let your work be so faithful that the only “charge” anyone could bring against you is your faith. Pick one area of your job or home where you’ve been coasting and give it your best this week.
- Settle your line now. Daniel “purposed in his heart” before the test came. Decide ahead of time — and say it to another man in this group — the one thing you will not compromise, no matter who asks.
- Keep your custom. Daniel’s courage in the crisis came from a daily habit of prayer. Commit to a specific time and place to pray this week, including for those in authority over you (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
- Remember the Word isn’t chained. When the culture or a boss seems to be winning, ask Paul’s question: How might God be using this “for the furtherance of the gospel”?
Closing Prayer
Father, You are the King over every king, and no ruler has any power except what You allow. Thank You for Daniel, who served a pagan empire with excellence and never bowed his heart to it; for Peter and the apostles, who honored their rulers but obeyed You first; and for Paul, who saw his chains as an open door. Forgive us for the times we’ve kept quiet to stay comfortable, and for the times we’ve answered opposition with anger instead of grace. Make us faithful in our work, settled in our convictions, and steady in prayer. Help us seek the good of the places You’ve put us, pray for those in authority, and stand firm when standing costs something. Whether by life or by death, let Christ be magnified in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Prayer List
Doc – renewed vigor to join us on Saturdays
Richard Brooks – faith and courage during the next stage of his journey in Christ
Bob & Gaynelle – walk with
Julia (Arras) – praise for health
Jim Allen, friend of Daryl, heart issue, praise
Jim Sachs – praise
Darryl’s employee Tara – went to be with Jesus
Darryl’s Son Jonathan and Wife Lizz – spiritual renewal
Tom and Jeanice – praise and prayers for continued recovery
Lee Davidson – heart surgery due to a valve leak. Had to crack a rip to operate on the heart. Still a difficult situation health wise for both.
Jim & Melissa, father-in-law’s heart condition and spiritual health, marital closeness
Mike Arras’ daughter, praise
Mike Allen – sister Adele and brother
Joe & Deb – continued prayers for Deb’s Dad, travel for Deb
Brian – Job situation
JC – checking for glaucoma and now stage 3 renal disease
JC’s granddaughter Kylie, Tiffany, and Tommy
Todd – medical issues (sinuses, hands)
Wisdom about meeting location
Our country & our world
Gayle (Karl’s wife) – wisdom, peace, strength in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds
Karl’s friend, Jesse – PRAISE! Found a good church body to join
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