Daniel in the Lions' Den

Day 2 for Vacation Bible School had the theme of "Making Good Choices" using the Bible story of Daniel in the Lion's Den (Daniel 6).  Our "train ride" visited another part of Babylon and the King at that time was Darius.  Darius liked Daniel, but many of his men did not.

The men talked the King into making a rule that people should only worship the King.  The King signed the law and the men went about their evil plot to get Daniel.  When he was found praying to God, they went back to the King - who liked Daniel, but who had made the law - and Daniel was charged with the crime.  His punishment was to be thrown into the lion's den.

The lions' mouths were closed by an angel of God and Daniel was found unharmed - much to the delight of the King.  Daniel made a wise choice.  He didn't care about the rules of men.  He only wanted to do what God wanted him to do.....which was to worship and pray to only HIM.

Making good choices is one of the most important spiritual disciplines children can learn.....and we all can learn.  Learning to make wise choices - with God's help and choices that glorify Him - will help guide our lives in the right direction.  It will keep us from a lot of struggles, too!

My 1st and 2nd graders made cute little lion plates as a craft on Day 2.  We hung them from the ceiling to display them for open house that evening.  The children were so proud of their creations!

I found lion masks at a party store, so the children took turns acting out the story.  Of course everyone wanted to be a lion, but we needed a Daniel, a King, an angel and the men who were out to get Daniel.  

Another fun part of the story were the lion snacks.  This one has peanut butter, but a few children were allergic to that....so they just made their lion without that part.  The Reeses eyes were substituted with chocolate chips.  There were all sorts of variations on the lion, of course, but that's what makes it even more fun!

So.....on this first day of this new week and the beginning days of a new month, let's all challenge ourselves to make good choices.....just like Daniel!