Power, Love and Self-discipline: On Learning

Daniel 1:1-6, Isaiah 1:17 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

2 Timothy 17 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

This story takes place in difficult circumstances

The people of Israel are captiveIn a foreign landForeign languageForeign culture

Fear looms

Daniel 1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god.

But even in tough times… Certain people have an advantage

What you knowWho you know

3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.

The king is looking for people who know and want to know more

“Healthy”Good appearance

“Knowers of knowledge”Informed

Able to understandServing in “strength” / “power”

These young men Who had learned

Who were deemed teachableWere to be fed the best foods

Trained for three yearsBecause the king wanted nothing

but the best

He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among these were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Why were there young men chosen?Train the trainable

Teach those who already knowThose who know how to studyThose who want to know more

Parable of the talentsThe more you have…

The better you manage it…More will entrusted to you

Learning and studying is a basic Christian tenant

BibleTeach

Worship

Acts 829 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Isaiah 117learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

We also live in a worldIn an economy

In a particular timeWhen education is important

In 605 BC

In this world we live…It is important to be educated

To want to knowTo be curious

To want to learnTo know how to study

We live in a time in which…we need to be educated

About our faith and our valuesWhat we believe in

In a trade or skillA specialty or degree

Be prepared

Ephesians 411 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…