North American
Division Pathfinder Ministries
A team Bible knowledge challenge for Daniel & Esther
The PathfinderBibleExperienceApplication Guide
2017/2018 Edition
Created by the North American Division Youth Ministries Department.
Bible Applications written by Scott WardDesign by Glen Milam PBE Logo designed by Ornan Anthony
Copyright © 2017 by the North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. All rights reserved. This book may be used and reproduced without permission from the publisher in local-church printed matter. It may not, however, be used or reproduced in other books or publications without prior permission from the publisher. Reprinting the content as a whole for giveaway or resale is expressly prohibited.
Additional copies of this resource are available from:AdventSource5120 Prescott AvenueLincoln, Nebraska 68506www.adventsource.org402.486.8800
ISBN# 978-1-62909-434-2Printed in the United States of America.
The Pathfinder Bible ExperienceContentsIntroduction for Leaders 3 How to Use this Resource
Introduction for Pathfinders 5About The Pathfinder Bible Experience 6Scripture 7 Translations Scripture Coverage Questions
Team Requirements 8
Preparation 9
The Program 11 Registration Levels How to Progress Event Dates
The Event 13 Event Flow, Play & Details Disqualification
Personnel and Their Duties 17Forms of Recognition 18 Certificates Medals & Bars
Travel, Meals, Insurance and Room Set-up 20
Application Guide 21-82
2017/2018 Edition
The Pathfinder Bible Experience2
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 3
Introduction for Leaders athfindersfromacrossNorthAmericaarecommittingtomemory
verses,chaptersandbooksoftheBibleaspartofThe Pathfinder BibleExperience(PBE).PBEisawonderfulstartingpointforBiblestudyandalife-changingrelationshipwithJesusChrist.Butmemorizationisjust the beginning.
The Pathfinder Bible ExperiencewasdevelopedtohelpPathfindersandyoungpeoplemeditateandreflectonwhattheBiblesaysandhowitappliestotheirlives.ItfeaturesideasforapplicationtohelpPathfindersusewhattheystudyandapplyittotheirdailyexperienceathome,schoolandchurch.
Thereare twoobjectives for thisguide:1)Pathfinderscan learnmoreaboutthepassages theyarestudyingaspartofPBE,examine their livesandgrowstrongerspiritually;and2)PathfinderscanusetheseguidestobecomeinvolvedinoutreachbyleadingoutinsmallgroupBiblestudieswiththeirfriendsandpeersinPathfindersoratschool.ThegoalistoseeyoungpeoplegrowspirituallybothintheirpersonalwalkwithJesusandastheyministertoothers.
This resourcehas thepotential to revolutionizePathfinders’ lives.Help themtakeadvantageofit.Useit.Gobeyondthereadingandmemorizing—godeeper.GetintotheapplicationandbereadytoexperiencewhatadifferenceGodcanmakeinthemandthroughthem.ShowPathfindersthattheydon’tjustneedtomemorizeScripture—theycanalsoliveit.
W.GeneClappNorthAmericanDivisionPathfinderBibleExperienceCoordinatorArmandoMirandaNorthAmericanDivisionYouth/YoungAdultMinistriesAssociateDirector
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PurposeThepurposeofThe Pathfinder
Bible Experienceistopromoteandencouragein-depthBiblestudyandmemorizationbyPathfinders,sotheirunderstandingofscripturewillincrease and their relationship to Christ will grow.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
—Romans 15:4 (nKJV)
The Pathfinder Bible Experience4
How to Use this ResourceKingDaviddidn’thaveaBibleandheneversatonahillsidereadingadevotionalbook.Heprobablycouldn’tevenread—andyetheknewGodaswellasanyonewhoeverwalkedthefaceofplanetearth.Infact,mostpeopleyoureadaboutintheBiblewereilliteratesotheymemorizedlargeportionsofscriptureastheylistened to it being recited by their parents and read by priests and scribes in the local synagogues and sanctuary. David learned to love the Bible through listeningandmemorizingitforhimself.ThroughoutPsalmsDavidtalksabouthowmuchhelovesthesanctuaryandGod’slaw—heevensayshemeditatedon it day and night.
ThemostimportantpassageofscriptureinancientJewishcultureistheShema:
Hear,OIsrael:TheLordourGod,theLordisone.LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartand
with all your soul and with all your strength.ThesecommandmentsthatIgiveyoutodayaretobe
on your hearts.Impressthemonyourchildren.
Talkaboutthemwhenyousitathomeand when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.
When Pathfinders participate inThe Pathfinder Bible Experience they are followinginthefootstepsoftheancientIsraelitesandJesusHimself.Memorizingscripturelocksitintheirmindswherenoonecantakeitfromthem,butifalltheydoismemorizeit,itdoeslittlegood—theymustallowittoguidethemastheywalkthroughlifeeveryday.
ThisguidewillhelpPathfindersinthisjourneyofunderstandingscriptureandlivingit.Thechapterguidesarenotcomprehensive.Theydonotcovereverydetailofeachchapter—thatwouldtakeafewhundredpages.EachchapterguidechoosesafewkeypointstohelpPathfindersstartthinkingdifferentlyaboutscripture—togetbeyondmemorizationandontointernalization.
This booklet includes guides for each chapter featured in the 2017-2018Pathfinder Bible Experience.OncePathfindershavefinishedstudyingachapter,youcansharethecorrespondingchapterguidewiththem.AllowPathfindersto answer questions verbally or by writing their answers in a journal and then discussingthemwiththegroup.
MayJesusChristHimselfblessyourichlyasyouembarkonthisjourneytomakingGod’sWordalivingandvitalpartofwhoyouare.
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
— John 17:17 (nKJV)
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets’ own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
— 2 PeteR 1:20-21 (nIV)
It is not safe for us to turn from the Holy Scriptures with only a casual reading of their sacred pages... Rein the mind up to the high task that has been set before it, and study with determined interest, that you may understand divine truth. Those who do this will be surprised to find what the mind can attain. The mind must be restrained and not allowed to wander. It should be trained to dwell upon the Scriptures and upon noble, elevating themes. Portions of Scripture, even whole chapters, may be committed to memory to be repeated when Satan comes in with his temptations.
— ellen G. WhIte Mind, CharaCter, and Personality,
Vol. 1, PaGe 95
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
— Psalms 119:105 (nKJV)
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 5
Introduction forPathfinders
athfindersfromacrossNorthAmericaarecommittingtomemoryverses,chaptersandbooksoftheBibleaspartofThe Pathfinder Bible Experience(PBE).PBEisawonderfulstartingpointforBiblestudyandalife-changingrelationshipwithJesusChrist.Butmemorizationisjustthebeginning.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience Application GuidewasdevelopedtohelpPathfindersandyoungpeoplemeditateandreflectonwhattheBiblesaysandhowitappliestolifetoday.ItfeaturesideasforapplicationtohelpyouusewhatyoustudyaspartofThe Pathfinder Bible Experienceandapplyittoyourdailyexperienceathome,schoolandchurch.
Therearetwoobjectivesforthisapplicationguide:1)youcanlearnmoreaboutthepassagesyouarestudyingaspartofPBE,examineyourlifeandgrowstrongerspiritually;and2)youcanusetheseguidestobecomeinvolvedinoutreachbyleadingoutinsmallgroupBiblestudieswithfriendsandpeersinPathfindersoratschool.ThegoalisforyoutogrowspirituallybothinyourpersonalwalkwithJesusandasyouministertoothers.
Thisresourcehasthepotentialtorevolutionizeyourlife.Gobeyondthereadingandmemorizing—godeeper.GetintotheapplicationandbereadytoexperiencewhatadifferenceGodcanmakeinyouandthroughyou.Youdon’tjustneedtomemorizeScripture—youcanalsoliveit.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience6
About the Pathfinder BibleExperience
he Pathfinder Bible Experienceisateambasedchallengethatteststhegroup'sknowledgeofsectionsofscripture.Eachyearanewblockofscripture isassignedandexcitedPathfinderscommit to immersingthemselvesinthosepassagesofGod'sWord.
TheninFebruary,aftermonthsofstudy,theygathertogetherwithotherteamsintheirareatotesttheirknowledgeagainstasetofquestionsdrawnfromthescripturestheyhavebeencovering.
Iftheyanswerahighenoughpercentageofthequestionscorrectly,theyadvancetoaconferencelevelevent,thenunionlevel,andfinallyadivisionlevelevent,typicallyheldinApril.
Eachteamcompetesagainstastandard,andallwhoperformtothedesignatedpercentageadvance.Meetingtogetheraddsasenseofexcitementandanadditionallevelofadrenalinethatspursparticipantsontohigherlevelsofrecall.Yetanyandallcanadvance,basedsolelyontheirefforts.
T
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 7
ScriptureTranslations •English:NewKingJames(ThomasNelsonPathfinderEdition
recommended) •Spanish:ReinaValera1995(RVR1995) •French:VersionLouisSegondenFrançais
Scripture CoverageTheNAD Pathfinder Bible Experience teamwill assignabook,booksorsectionsofbooksoftheBible,totalingbetween40and50chaptersperyear.The Pathfinder Bible Experience also includes the relevant introductory text in the SDA Bible Commentaryforthescripturescovered.
QuestionsThe questions for each level of The Pathfinder Bible Experience will be distributed by the NAD Pathfinder Bible Experience Coordinator to the appropriateindividualsateachparticipatingconferenceandunion.
AllquestionsarepreparedbypersonsappointedbytheNADPathfinderDirector.QuestionsaredevelopedfromthePathfinderEditionoftheNewKingJamesVersionoftheBibleandthelatesteditionoftheSDA Bible Commentary book introductions for the associated scriptural passages. Less than 10% of thequestionswillcomefromthecommentary.
Questions are written to stand alone and be able to be answered individually. Most require single word or short phrase answers. The Pathfinder Bible Experience doesnotusemultiplechoicequestions.Thereshouldbelimiteduseoftrueandfalsequestions.Questionsshouldalwaysincludethescripturalreference.
TheNADPathfinder Bible Experience Coordinator will coordinate the translation ofallthequestionsintoSpanishandFrench.
AllquestionswillbeinharmonywiththebeliefsoftheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
— John 17:17 (nKJV)
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophets’ own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
— 2 PeteR 1:20-21 (nIV)
It is not safe for us to turn from the Holy Scriptures with only a casual reading of their sacred pages... Rein the mind up to the high task that has been set before it, and study with determined interest, that you may understand divine truth. Those who do this will be surprised to find what the mind can attain. The mind must be restrained and not allowed to wander. It should be trained to dwell upon the Scriptures and upon noble, elevating themes. Portions of Scripture, even whole chapters, may be committed to memory to be repeated when Satan comes in with his temptations.
— ellen G. WhIte Mind, CharaCter, and Personality,
Vol. 1, PaGe 95
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
— Psalms 119:105 (nKJV)
The Pathfinder Bible Experience8
Team Requirements TeamsaremadeupoftwotosixPathfindersfromasingleclub.Clubsmayhavemultipleteamsparticipate,so
longaseachteamhasatleastfouruniquePathfindersoneachteam.
Teamsshouldbeascompleteaspossible.Forexampleaclubwouldnotbeallowedtofieldthreeteamsoffourparticipants,buttheycouldfieldtwoteamsofsixparticipantsfromthatclub.
Eachteamiscomprisedofthefollowing: •Twotosixcurrentlyenrolled,andinductedPathfinders.MayincludeTLT's. •ATeam CapTain •Uptofiveadditionalteammembers •Analternate •Anon-playingCoaCh
EachteamwillbemadeupofthesamememberswhobeganthePBEtestingattheArea/DistrictLevel.Ifaclubhasmultipleteamsandatoneofthelevelsoftestingaclubteamdoesnotadvance,nomemberofthenon-advancingteammaybeaddedtoorreplaceanyteammemberoftheteamthatdoesadvance.Noteammemberfromanysourcemaybeaddedtoorreplaceanyoneontheteamrosterafterthefirstlevelofofficialtesting,exceptinrareorextremecircumstances.TheConferencePBEDirectormustbeconsultedandwillbethefinalarbiter in those situations.
Team CaptainDuringplay,itisthedutyoftheTeam CapTaintolistentotheconsultationoftheteamandthendeterminewhatanswerwillbewrittenbytheteammemberwiththeanswersheet.ItisalsothedutyoftheTeam CapTaintodetermineiftheteamwishestochallengethedecisionoftheirGrader afterananswerisscored.
AlternateEachteamisencouragedtohaveanalternateparticipantreadytofillinifaregularteammemberisunabletoattendanevent,orbecomesillduringanevent.Thealternatemayalsoswitchoutwitharegularteammemberattheintermissionofthegame.Aswitchisonlyallowedonceperteam,pergame.
CoachAclubstaffmember,pastor,orcommittedparentactsastheteam'sCoaCh. Their role is to coordinate training andtomotivatetheteam.Additionaladultsarewelcometoassistwithtraining,butthereshouldbeoneofficialor“chief”coachperclubinchargeofcoordinatingthePBEeffortsoftheclub.
Uniform RequirementsAllteammembersmustbeinfulldressuniformasdescribedbythelatestversionoftheNAD Pathfinder Staff Manualinordertoparticipateatanylevelevent.Thisuniformnormallyincludes:dressuniformshirtwithproperinsignia,dressuniformpantsorskirt,authorizedsocksorstockings,authorizedshoes,Pathfinderbelt,Pathfinderscarfandslide,andPathfinderSash.
Board ApprovalAswithallPathfinderevents,thechurchboard,oraboard-appointedbody,mustvoteparticipationapprovalaswellasacknowledgementofthespecificeventdatesforinclusiononthelocalchurchcalendar.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 9
PreparationDecide to ParticipateParticipation in The Pathfinder Bible Experienceshouldnotbemadelightlyoratthelastminute.Foryoutoachievethepurposeoftheevent,thePathfindersneedtohavemadeaseriouscommitmenttoBiblestudy.Tobefairtothem,thismeansanearlystartandthoroughpreparations.
InSeptember you need to be encouraging participation and promoting theevent.Studyshouldbeginsoonthereafter.
Clubstaffareencouragedtousetheselectedscriptureasathematicfocusformeetingworships,outreacheventsandotheractivitiesasthiswillhelpreinforcethecontent,aswellasconnectnon-participatingPathfinderswiththosewhoarestudyingforThe Pathfinder Bible Experience.
Practice QuestionsDuringthefalloftheyear,havevariousindividualspreparepracticequestionscoveringthesectionsofscripturefortheyearandtherelatedbookintroductionsfromThe SDA Bible Commentary.Askyourpastor,teachers,SabbathSchoolleaders,parentsandregularchurchmembers.Youmightevenarrangetosharepracticequestionswithotherclubsinyourareaorconference.
Questionsmuststandaloneandbeabletobeansweredindividually.Mostshouldrequire single word or short phrase answers. The Pathfinder Bible Experience doesnotusemultiplechoicequestions.Thereshouldbelimiteduseoftrueandfalsequestions.
Questionsshouldalwaysincludethescripturalreference.
Reading and MemorizationEachteammembershouldreadthefulltextmultipletimes.
Manyfindithelpfultobreakthetextintoseveralblocksandhaveparticipantsfocusonsmallersectionssothatyouhavetwospecialistsoneachthirdofthematerial,butmakesurethateachonecoversallofitaswell.
TheageofPathfindersallowsthemtobemastersofmemorization.Whileittakeslotsofwork,itisanextremelyeffectivemethodofpreparationforthechallenge.
ScriptureTherefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
— 1 CoRInthIans 10:31 (nKJV)
Sample QuestionQ:FromActs8:9,whatwasthe
nameofthesorcererwhoboastedthathewassomeonegreat?
A:Simon.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience10
Audio LearningTheNKJVisavailablefromseveralcompaniesontape,CD,andasadigitaldownload.Listeningtothereadingscandramaticallyimproveaparticipant'srecall abilities later. They can be played in a vehicle while traveling to a campout,orasaworship,orevenonheadphoneswhiledoingchoresathomeorcommunityserviceprojectswiththeclub.
Theclubcouldalsomaketheirownrecordingsofthebookandsharethemamongsttheteammembers.
Dramatizedversionsarealsoavailable.ThesemakeitevenmoreinterestingandthePathfinderscanthenseetheversesintheirmindswhenthequestionsare asked.
Practice EventsDuringDecemberandJanuary,provideseveralopportunitiesforthePathfinderstopracticeagainstotherteamsfromwithinthecluborspecialpracticeteamsmadeupofchurchmembers.
HavethePathfinderstaketurnsactingasscribeandwritingouttheanswers.Youmayfindthatsomearemoreskilledatthisthanothers.
YoumaywishtogetotherPathfinderClubstogethertoholdpracticeeventstoencourage everyone to reach the highest level. This way you can share practice testquestionsaswellasgetafeelforwhattherealeventwillbelike.
Meeting FrequencyIftheteamistotrulysucceedtheywillneedtomeettogethermoreoftenthanforafewminutesduringeachweeklyPathfindermeeting.Mosttopteamswillneedtomeetseveralhoursaweekinthefalltostudytogether,andtwoorthreetimesaweekduringJanuaryandearlyFebruary.Theywillneedtocontinuetomeetacoupleoftimesaweekiftheywanttocontinueinfirstplaceatmoreadvanced levels.
Other Creative Ideas• Encouragetheteam—infact,theentireclub—toreadtheassigned
scripturesduringprivateandfamilyworship.• EnlistthehelpoftheSabbathSchooldepartmentstoplaygamesand
have activities that will cover the assigned scriptures.• Haveamockeventwiththeentirechurch.
Team SelectionAtsomepointinlatefall,theCoaCh,inconsultationwiththeclubstaffandtheinterestedPathfinders,willneedtoestablishspecificteam(s)thatwillparticipate.
Audio Bible SourcesCheckthesewebsitestofindaudioNKJVbibles.
adventistbookcenter.com
christianbook.com
amazon.com
biblebible.com
learnoutloud.com
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 11
The ProgramRegistrationIn early January the club should send their registration form to the localconference.
Yourconferencemaydetermineadifferentwaytoregister,ortheymaysendyoutheforminthemailorasane-mailattachmentinlateDecemberorearlyJanuary.
Levels Play takesplaceat four levels:area,conference,union,anddivision.Afterparticipationinthelocalareaevent,allteamsholdingafirstplacefinishadvancetothenextlevel.Afterparticipationintheconferenceevent,allteamsholdingafirstplacefinishadvancetotheunionlevel,andsoon.Thatmeansthatateamcouldparticipateinuptofourdifferentlevelsatfourdifferentlocations.
Area LevelConferences across the division use several different names and methodsof dividing their territory into smaller geographic regions.Somecall themregions,somefederations,somesections,butmostcallthemareas,sothatisthetermweuse.Arealeveleventsbringtogetherteamsfromwithinaportionofaconference.Obviouslyyouwantatleasttwoteamsandpreferablymoreinanareaevent.Ideallyanareaeventwouldincludetwototenteams,butitispossibletohavemore.
Withintheconference,therecouldbeasfewastwoareasormanyareas.Eachteamregisterswiththeconference.Theconferencecoordinatestherunningofarealeveleventsbasedonthenumberandlocationofteamsregisteredtoparticipate.
Theconferenceoracoordinatorarrangesavenueforeacharealevelevent.Ideally the location would rotate over the years to the various churches in the arearepresentedbytheparticipatingteams.Thisencourageschurchparticipationandaddssomehometeamspirit.
Single team in an areaInsomecases,theremightonlybeoneteamparticipatingfromanareainaconference.Ifthisisthecase,thenmultipleareasshouldbecombinedsothereareatleasttwoteamsintheevent.
Inextremecasesyoumighthavetojoinwithteamsfromanentirelydifferentconferenceoruniontocompeteatthislevel.
How to Progress 1.Ateamparticipatesinanarea
levelevent.Iftheyearnafirstplace standing they advance totheconferencelevelevent.
2.Attheconferencelevelevent,allteamsearningafirstplacestanding advance to the union level event.
3.Attheunionlevelevent,allteamsearningafirstplacestanding advance to the division level event.
4.Atthedivisionlevelevent,allteamsearningafirstplace standing will be acknowledged appropriately!
Notallteamswhoearnafirstplacestanding choose to go to the next level due to other obligations or to theexpenseoftravel.
FormsAllformsareavailableonlineatpathfindersonline.org click on PBE
The Pathfinder Bible Experience12
Conference LevelAllteamswithfirstplacescoresareeligibleforparticipationintheconferencelevel event.
Alargeenoughfacility,suchasalargechurch,churchschooloracademythatiscentrallylocatedwouldbechosentohostthenumberoffirstplaceteamsthatwouldbeparticipatinginthislevel.Firstplaceteamsfromtheareadonotneedtoregisterfortheconferencebuttheydoneedtoconfirmthattheywillbe participating.
Single team in a conferenceInsomecases,theremightbeonlyoneteaminanentireconference.Inthiscasetheteamwillneedtomakearrangementstoparticipateinaneighboringconferencesothatthereareatleasttwoteamsintheevent.
Inextremecasesyoumighthavetojoinwithteamsfromanentirelydifferentuniontocompeteatthislevel.
Union LevelAllfirstplaceteamsfromtheconferenceeventareeligibletoparticipateinthe union level event.
A largeenough facility, suchas a largechurch, academyor college that iscentrally located would be chosen within the union to host the event.
AtthisleveleachconferencewillneedtoregistertheirfirstplaceteamswithThe Pathfinder Bible ExperienceUnionCoordinatorsoproperarrangementscanbemade.
Theremaybeanywherefromonetoseveralconferencesparticipating.
Ifthereisnounionyouthdirectortoleadoutintheprogram,thenoneoftheconferencedirectorsoraconferencecoordinatormaycoordinatethislevelsothevariousconferencesmayparticipateatthislevelandallfirstplaceteamswillbeabletomoveontothedivisionlevel.
Single team in a unionInsomecases,theremightbeonlyoneteaminanentireunion.Inthiscasetheteamwillneedtomakearrangementstoparticipateinaneighboringunionsothatthereareatleasttwoteamsintheevent.
Division LevelAllfirstplaceteamsfromtheunioneventaretheneligibletoparticipateinthedivision level event. Those attending the division Pathfinder Bible Experience haveplacedfirstinallthreepriorlevels:area,conference,andunion.Youcannotskipalevel;youmustparticipateatalllevels.EachconferencewillneedtoregistertheirfirstplaceteamsfromtheunioneventwithThe Pathfinder Bible Experience Division Coordinator.
Alargeenoughfacility,suchasalargechurch,academyorcollegewouldbechosen to host the event.
Official Dates for TestingAreaThefirstSabbathinFebruary
ConferenceThefirstSabbathofMarch
Union The last Sabbath in March
DivisionThethirdSabbathinApril
Thelocalconferenceandunionmayalterthedateforwardorbackwarda week according to their unique scheduling needs.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 13
The EventThissectionoutlinestheorganizationalneedsandtasksofcoordinatorsatalllevelsofThe Pathfinder Bible Experience.
CoordinationSee The Program; Levelsonpage8fordetails.
Question DistributionParticipatingconferenceswillreceiveacopyofthequestionsintimefortheirarea and conference levels.Participatingunionswill receive a copyof thequestionsintimefortheirlevel.Eachlevelwillhaveanewsetofquestionsthatwouldincreaseindifficultyasthelevelsincrease.
Event Flow, Play & DetailsTimeslistedareapproximate.Remember, themoreteamsparticipating,themoretimewillberequired.
Event Preparation by the Event Staff - 1:00 pm 1.Arriveatthesitefarenoughaheadofthestartingtimetohavesetup
completebeforetheteamsarrive. 2.Confirmthatthebuildingisopen,lightsareon,temperatureisset,and
restroomsareaccessible. 3.Setuptheequipment. 4.SetupthetablesandchairsfortheQuiz masTer, Clerk and the three
appeal JudGes. 5.Setupseatingfortheparticipatingteams.SixmembersplusaGrader. 6. SetupchairsneartheteamsfortheirCourier. One Courierforevery
fourteams.
Event Preparation by the Team - times vary according to distance 1.Bedressedinfulldressuniform. 2.Arriveatthesiteontime.
Staff Briefing - 2:00 pm • The pBe CoordinaTormeetswiththeeventstafftoreviewpoliciesand
answerquestionsandhasprayerwiththem.
Team Check-in - 2:15 pm •Astheteamchecksintheyareassignedacircleofchairs. • They are given their answer cards and their pen. • They are introduced to the Grader •Teammembers turnoverallelectronicdevices,Bibles,andnotes in
theirpossessiontoclubstafforattendingparents.
Welcome - 2:30 pm • The Quiz masTer welcomesthegroupandintroducesthestaffandthe
participatingteams.
Equipment & Supplies NeededEach location hosting The Pathfinder Bible Experience event will need to havecertainequipmentandsupplieson hand. •Alargeprojectionscreen •AnLCDprojector •Acomputerloadedwith
MicrosoftPowerPoint,andapower cord
•APowerPointpresentationofthe proper level questions and answers
•Aprojectorstand •Atableforthecomputer • Cables to connect the
computertotheprojector •Atablefortheappeal JudGes •Threechairsfortheappeal
JudGes •Apodiumandmicrophone
fortheQuiz masTer •AtablefortheClerk (the
Quiz masTermayalsositatthe table rather than stand at a podium)
•Twochairs,onefortheClerk andonefortheQuiz masTer
•AstopwatchorothermethodofkeepingaccuratetrackofsecondsoftimefortheClerk
•100sheetsofpre-numberedpaperorcardstockperteamonwhichtheteammemberswill write their answers
•Amarkerperteamforwritinganswers
•AscorecardandpenforeachteamGrader
ScribeThe scribe is whoever is writing the answer to the question. Because therewillbeteammemberswhoaremostknowledgeableoverspecificsegmentsoftheBibleStudyBook,thepen/pencilandanswersheetmaybepassedtothatpersonontheteamtowritetheanswer.Itisnotrequired that the scribe be only one designatedpersonontheteam.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience14
Opening Exercises - 2:35 pm • Prayer • Pledge and Law •PathfinderSong
Song Service (Optional) - 2:40 pm • Two or three songs
Instructions - 2:45 pm • The Quiz masTerreviewstherulesofplaylistedunderQuizPart1.The
rules should be projected on the screen while the Quiz masTer reviews them.
•Theyalsoreviewthegroundsfordisqualificationandexpulsionaslistedinthemanualandremindthemthatnooneontheteammayhaveanyelectronic device on their person during the event.
•RemindtheaudienceandtheteamsthatChristiandecorumisexpectedofallpresent.
Quiz Part 1 - 2:50 pm •Halfofthequestionswillbeaskedduringpart1. •ThefirstquestionisprojectedonthescreenandtheQuiz masTer reads
ittwice.IfthequestionisworthmorethanonepointtheQuiz masTer willannouncethepointvaluebeforereadingthequestion.Forexample,“Fortwopoints,nameAdam'sfirsttwosons.”
• When the Quiz masTer has read the question twice, the Clerk starts the stopwatchandrunsitforthedesignatedtimeforthatquestion.Duringthis time the teamdiscusses,determinesandwrites theanswer.TheCapTainmakesthefinaldecisionandtellsthesCriBe what to write.
•At10secondsfromexpirationoftimetheClerkwillcall“10seconds.”The sCriBemustwritetheansweronthepre-numberedpaperforthatquestion.
•Atexpirationoftimetheclerkwillsay“showyouranswer”,bywhichtimeThesCriBewillhavehandedthegradertheteamanswersheet.
•Answersmaybewrittenbeforetimeiscalled. •Afteranappropriatepauseofabout3secondstheQuiz masTer will
change the slide and read the answer twice. •AtthistimetheGraderwilldetermineiftheteamcorrectlyanswered
the question and writes the question score on the score card and keeps arunningtotaloftheteam'scompletescore.Iftheteamdidnotprovideananswerwhen“time”wascalled,theydonotreceivepointsforthatquestion.
•IftheteamfeelsthattheGraderscoredthemincorrectly,theysaytotheGrader,“Challenge.”TheGrader then takes the answer card and gives it to a Courier, who walks the card to the appeal panel. The appeal panel JudGesconsidertheansweranddeterminethefinalpointvalueoftheanswer,writingthescoreonthecard.Theirdecisionisfinal.Noadditional appeal is allowed. The Courier then returns the card to the Grader who adjusts the score per the appeal panel instructions.
Response TimingFollowingthesecondreadingofthequestion,theteamswillbegivenaspecifiedamountoftime,dependingonthepointvalueofthequestion,withoutregardtowhetherthetimeisfordiscussionorwriting.A10second warning will be given prior toexpirationoftime.Attheendofthespecifiedtime,timewillbecalled and the scribe will hand their completedanswersheettothegradertodeterminepointsawarded.Noadditionaltimewillbegranted.
Discussion/Responsetimesareasfollows:
1pt=25seconds2pts=30seconds3pts=35seconds4pts=40seconds5pts=45seconds6pts=50seconds7pts=55seconds8pts=60seconds
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 15
Regularplaycontinueswhileappealsarebeingmade. Gradersmaynotrefuseachallenge.
The appeal panelmaydenyateamtherighttoappealiftheteamisfelttobechallengingeverywronganswertheysubmit.Howevertheappeal panelshouldbeverycautiousintheirdecisiontodenyateamfurtherappeals,justastheteamshouldbereasonableinthefrequencyoftheirchallenges.
•AttheendofthehalftheQuiz masTerannouncesintermission. • The Graderwritesinthetotalscoreforthehalfonthescorecard.
Intermission - 3:35 pm •5minutes •DuringthistimetheGrader double checks the running totals. •Duringintermission,ateammaychoosetoreplaceoneoftheirteam
memberswiththeirdesignatedalternate.
Quiz Part 2 - 3:40 pm •Thesecondhalfofthequestionsareasked. •PlayproceedsinthesamemannerasoutlinedinQuizPart1. •Attheendofplay,theGraderwritesthesecondhalftotalonthe
scorecardandalsothetotalforbothhalves. • The Graderdoublechecksthesecondhalftotalandthefinaltotal. • The Grader then takes the score card to the Clerk.
Devotional (Optional) - 4:25 pm •A10minutedevotionalbasedonthesectionofscripturethatisbeing
covered. • This also gives the Clerktimetofinalizetheawards.
Offering (Optional) - 4:35 pm •ThecollectionofanofferingisatthediscretionofthepBe
CoordinaTor.Ifoneiscollected,thefundsshouldbeusedtodefraytheexpensesoftheprogramortoprovidetravelsupporttotheteamsmovingontothenextlevel.
Presentation of Awards - 4:40 pm • The pBe CoordinaTor or the Quiz masTer will present the awards
earnedduringtheevent.Everyteamreceivesanaward,asallarewinnersasthechildrenofGod.
•Tolessenthecompetitivespirit,exactpointsarenotgivenorstatedpubliclyduringtheprogram.Onlytheplacestandingsareannounced.
• Standings are announced by calling the clubs in alphabetical order andstatingtheirstanding.ItisPBEpolicythatspecificscoresarenever announced or released.
•Eachteamreceivesacertificateofparticipation. • Each individual participant receives a PBE pin with the year and
level.
Closing Prayer - 4:50 pm
Variations of NKJVThereareatleasttwodifferentmanuscriptsfortheNewKingJamesVersionoftheBible.Thevariationsareminorandinfrequent,buttheydoexist.Teamsareencouragetobring along the actual Bible with which they studied.
PathfindersshouldbeencouragedtousethelatesteditionofthePathfinderBible.
Language VariationsItisrecognizedthatsomeparticipatingteamsmayincludememberswithdifferentfirstlanguages.Ateammayansweranindividual question in whatever languagetheyaremostcomfortable,buttheentireanswerforthatquestionmustbeinthesamelanguage.Ifmultiplelanguagesare used, the answer will not be accepted.ThelanguageofthesubmittedanswerwilldeterminetheofficialBibletranslationusedtojudge the answer.
FormsAllformsareavailableonlineatpathfindersonline.org click on PBE
PBE PinsPathfinderBibleExperiencepins,year and level bars are available fromAdventSource at www.adventsource.org or402.486.8800.
Note: ThePBEpinsmayonlybepurchasedbyconferenceorunionleadership.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience16
Optional Ideas •Arrangetohaveaphotographerpresenttotakehistoricaland
promotionalpicturesthatcanbeusedintheconferenceorunionpaperorwebsite.Youmayneedtohaveeveryonesignaphotorelease,thoughinmostcaseslikethisyouarenotrequiredtoasitisapubliceventandthephotoswillbeusedforeditorialratherthancommercialpurposes.
•Havecannedorlivemusicplayingintheeventareaastheteamsandaudiencearrive.However,sometimesthiscontributestoeverincreasing noise levels.
•Haveprogramsprintedthatlistthedetailsoftheevent,therulesandtheteamsparticipating.Youcouldalsolistthenextlevelevent,date,and location.
•Provideblankanswersheetstoaudiencememberssothattheycantesttheirownknowledgeofthescriptures.
Disqualification
Individual DisqualificationAteammemberwillbedisqualifiediftheyarenotwearingthecompletedressuniformoriftheyarenotqualifiedtobeateammember.
CoaChesaretoseethateachteammemberisinproperuniform.
Team DisqualificationBecausethesamequestionsareusedinallareas,conferences,andunions,teamsareprohibitedfromcommunicatingwithotherteamsinregardstoanyofficialquestionbeingusedandatanylevelofThe Pathfinder Bible Experienceprogramthatyear.
Ifthiskindofcontacttakesplaceandisdiscoveredtheteamwouldbedisqualifiedfromanyfurtherparticipationandwouldforfeitallstandingsfrompriorparticipationthatyear.
Eachteammembermustsignan Integrity Pledgeateachlevelaffirmingamongstotherthings,thattheyhavenothadusageofofficialquestionsexceptduringtheeventitself.TheIntegrity Pledge is available online.
Point Disqualification & Team ExplusionAnypointsearnedduringplay,whilebeingcoached,commentedto,orproddedbyanaudiencememberthroughanychannelormethodwillberevoked.
Asecondinstanceduringthesamedayofplaywillresultintheteambeingexpelledfromplay,andmakesthemineligibletoparticipateinanyhigherlevels that year.
Standings90questionswillbeaskedateachlevelofplay.Pointsareawardedforcorrectanswers.Rankings are established by gradingon the curve.Rankingisasfollows:
• Ascoreof90%orabove,ascomparedtothetopscore earned at the event, earnstheteamafirstplacestanding.
• Ascoreof80-89%,ascomparedtothetopscoreearned at that event, earns theteamasecondplacestanding.
• Ascoreof79%,ascomparedtothetopscoreearned at that event, or belowearnstheteamathirdplace standing.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 17
Personnel & Their DutiesPersonnel are appointed by the pBe CoordinaTor forthelevelatwhichtheywillbeworking.Forexample,theConferenCe pBe CoordinaTor would appoint the Quiz masTer, Clerk, Graders, JudGes and Couriersfortheconferencelevel event.
Quiz MasterThe Quiz masTeractsashostandMCfortheevent,andreadsthequestions.Theyreadeachquestiontwice.ItisrecommendedthatthepBe CoordinaTor not be the Quiz masTersothattheymaydealwithissuesthatmayariseduringplay.
They can be the YouTh direCTor, ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor, a PasTor, an area CoordinaTor or even a loCal paThfinder direCTor.
ClerkThe Clerk,withtheuseofastopwatchorothertechnology,regulatesthetimeperiodwhiletheteamdeterminestheanswerthatwouldberecorded.ThetimebeginsafterthequestionisreadtwicebytheQuiz masTer.
The Clerkwillcalltheendoftimeloudenoughforalltheparticipatingteamsto hear.
The ClerkreceivesthecompletedscorecardsfromeachGrader and tabulates finalteamstandings.
The Clerk is appointed by the pBe CoordinaTor at each level. They should beanadultwithnospecificclubaffiliation.
GraderEachteamneedsanadultGrader.Theymustbefromadifferentclubthantheone they are grading. The GradershouldbeinclassAuniform.
The Grader'sjobistodetermineiftheanswergivenbytheteamiscorrectornot.Oncetheyhavemadethedeterminationtheyrecordthescore.
The Graderkeepstrackoftheteam’sanswerscoreandcumulativescoreontheteam'sscoresheet.
Atintermissionandattheendoftheroundtheywilldoublechecktherunningtotalforaccuracy.
It is also the Grader'sdutytowatchforinappropriatecommunicationbetweenteammembersandanyone in theaudience.Anypointsearnedduringplay,while being coached, commented to, or prodded by an audience memberthroughanychannelormethodwillberevokedbytheGrader, and reported to the pBe CoordinaTor.
PBE CoordinatorThepersonresponsibleforThe Pathfinder Bible Experience at each level is the pBe CoordinaTor.
Atthearealevelthiswouldnormallybe the area CoordinaTor or their designee. *
AttheconferencelevelthiswouldnormallybetheConferenCe YouTh direCTor, ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor or their designee.*
Attheunionlevelthiswouldnormallybetheunion YouTh direCTor, union paThfinder direCTor, union paThfinder CoordinaTor, their designee or a person appointed to that role by the ConferenCe YouTh direCTors in that union.
Atthedivisionlevelthiswouldnormallybetheapersondesignatedby the division YouTh direCTor.
The pBe CoordinaTors responsibilitiesare: •tooverseeorganization
ofatleastoneleveloftheprogram,fromregistrationthroughcompletion.Aconferencelevelcoordinatorwillmostlikelyoverseeallarea levels as well as the conferencelevel.
•toarrangefortheneededpersonnelinatimelymanner
•toarrangeforthemeetingvenue
•inthecaseofconferenceandunion level coordinators, to act as contact with the division pBe CoordinaTor
*IfaclubwishestoparticipateinthePBEprogram,buttheirconferencedoes not wish to participate, the club pBe CoaCh should contact the division pBe CoordinaTor directly forfurtherinstructions.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience18
Asecondinstanceofcoaching,etc.duringthesamedayofplaywillresulttheintheteambeingdisqualifiedfromthatlevelandanyfuturelevelthatyear.
Specific issues of gradingAccuratespellingisnotrequired,buttheanswermustberecognizable.
AllanswersforquestionsmustbegiventotheGraderbeforetheanswersaregivenbytheQuiz masTer so they canbecheckedoffonebyone.
The Pathfinder Bible Experiencequestionsarenotmultiplechoice.Therefore,additionalanswersgivenbeyondthenumberrequestedarenotaccepted.Theteammustcrossoffanyanswertheydonotwantinthelistorthefirstanswerswillbetheacceptedones.
DirectquotesfromtheBibleandfill-in-the-blanksmustbeexactwordsintheexactorder.
Appeal Panel JudgeThree adults serve as appeal panel JudGes. appeal panel JudGes determinetheteam'sscoreforagradetheyhavechallengedonaspecificquestion.
appeal panel JudGesshouldbeindividualswithbiblicalknowledgeandakeensenseoffairplayandjustice.Pastors,churcheldersorBibleteacherswouldbeexcellentcandidatesforthesepositions.
Thepanelalsomeetsonehourbeforetheeventtoreviewthequestionsandconfirmthattheyareasclearaspossible.Ifthereisanychangemadeinaquestion,itmustbemodifiedontheJudGes printed question list AND theelectronicfiletheQuiz masTer uses.
Iftwolanguagesareused,thentheremustbeatleasttwojudgesperlanguageforatotaloffourjudges.Therecould be up to three judges per language.
Ifthreelanguagesareused,thenagaintheremustbeatleasttwojudgesperlanguageforatotalofsixjudges.There could be up to three judges per language.
Specific issues on judgingDirectquotesfromtheBiblewithfill-in-the-blankanswersmustbeexactwordsintheexactorder.
The judges are to uphold the answers given by the Quiz masTerforeachquestion.Iftheanswerisdifferentthanthe one given by the Quiz masTer,itcanonlybeacceptedifitisfoundtobecorrectintheprintedversionoftheNew King James Version, Reina Valera 1995, Version Louis Segond en Français and the SDA Bible Commentary book introductions.
CourierIncaseofachallenge,aCourier walks the contested answer sheet to the appeal panel JudGes. The pBe CoordinaTor will provide a Courier forevery four teamsor fraction thereof.Couriers canbenon-playingPathfindersorAdventurers.Oncetheappeal panel JudGeshavemadeadecision,theCourier will return the contested answer sheetbacktotheteamGraderforgradeupdating.
Song LeaderAsonG leader,pianist,guitarist,orpraiseteamtoleadashortsongserviceatthebeginningoftheevent.
Devotional SpeakerSomeonetogivea10minutedevotionalbasedonthesectionofscripturethatisbeingcovered.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 19
Forms of RecognitionPinsEachparticipantwillreceiveaPBEpinwiththeyearandlevel.Pins,yearandlevelbarsareavailablefromAdventSourceatwww.adventsource.orgor402.486.8800.
Note: ThePBEpinsmayonlybepurchasedbyconferenceandunionleadership.
CertificatesEachteamparticipatingreceivesacertificateindicatingthelevelofplay(area,conference,union,ordivision)andtheirstanding(first,second,orthird)intheevent.
Thesecertificatescanbeprintedupbeforetheevent,exceptofcoursefortheirstanding.
Certificate SealThecertificatehasafoilsealthatisattachedattheendoftheeventtoindicatethestandingoftheteamatthefinishofthe level event.
Authenticating SignatureEachcertificateissignedbythepBe CoordinaTorforthelevelinwhichtheyareparticipating.
Atthearealevel,thiswouldtypicallybeanarea CoordinaTor, YouTh direCTor or ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor. AttheconferencelevelitwouldtypicallybetheYouTh direCTor or ConferenCe paThfinder direCTor. The union it couldbeeitherthepersoninchargeofPathfindersfortheunion,theunion pBe CoordinaTor or the union presidenT. Atthedivisionitwouldbethedivision pBe CoordinaTor, the division YouTh direCTor, or the division presidenT.
The Pathfinder Bible Experience20
KeyQuizMasterClerkAppealPanelJudgeGradersTeamMembersCouriersAudience
Team 1 Team 2 Team 3 Team 4 Team 5 Team 6
Audience at least 15' away from the teams
Appeal Panel
Screen
Quiz Master & Clerk
Additional NotesTravel & Lodging ExpensesTraveltoandfromtheeventlocationistheresponsibilityoftheclubunlessotherarrangementsaremadebyyourconference.Thereisapttobeeconomicvalueforteamstotraveltogethertounionanddivisionlevelevents.
MealsMealsfortheteamaretheresponsibilityofthelocalclub.Sometimestheeventhostchurch,cluborschoolwillarrangeafellowshipmealfollowingtheevent.
Attheunionanddivisionlevel,leadershipisencouragedtoprepareatleasttheeveningmealifnotlunchaswell.
Drivers & InsuranceAlldriversaretobeapprovedbyyourlocalchurchboardalsoandeachvehicleusedtotransportPathfindersistobeinsuredaccordingtoyourlocalconferenceguidelines.
Make It FunAsyouleadyourPathfindersintoThe Pathfinder Bible Experience, be sure to keepitfunandenjoyable.Thestudyofscriptureisseriousbusiness,butifyoubecomeoverbearingandilltemperedintheprocess,youwillnegatemuchoftheblessingoftheevent.
Typical Room Set Up
The Pathfinder Bible Experience 21
Application Guide for the Daniel1. Warm-up
Questionsforindividualreflection/smallgroupdiscussion.ThesequestionswillattempttohelpparticipantsrelateaspectsoftheirownlivestothelivesofBiblecharacters.Thiswillinvolvepersonalsharing.
2. Engaging the Chapter Thiswillincludesomediscussionofthechapterandoneormoreofthefollowing:
a.Enteringtheversesasaparticipantorbystandertohelpimaginethescene
b.Relevanthistorical/backgroundinformation
c.Reflection/discussionquestionsthatgodeeperintothechapter
3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life
a. Thought provoking application questions
b.Callsforcommitmenttoaction
4. Time of Prayer Mayincludeanyorallofthefollowing:Adoration/confession/requests/praises/silentprayer/conversationalprayer.
5. Outreach Ideas Somechapterguidesincludeideasforgettingoutsideofyourgroupandreachingtheworldaroundyou—that’showyouliveit!
Recommended Companions for this Series Andrews Study Bible,http://bible.andrews.eduAuthentic: Committed for LifebyScottR.Ward,(catalog#623935)www.adventsource.orgLiving It High School Outreach Resources for Pathfinders,http://livingiths.org/resources/pathfinders
The Pathfinder Bible Experience22
Daniel Chapter 11. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Ifyouhadtobecapturedbyforcesfromaforeigncountry,whichcountrywouldyouwantittobe?
Why?Whatdoyouthinklifeincaptivitywouldbelikethere?Explain.
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b. Whatisyourfavoritekindofethnicfood(Mexican,Italian,Indian,etc.)?Whatisyourleastfavoritekindoffood?Explain.
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Whatwouldyoudoifyouwerestuckinacountrywhosefoodyoudidn’treallylike?Whatwouldyoudo?Whatwouldyoueat?
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: ThisisoneofthemostfamiliarstoriesinalloftheBible.Asyoureadthischapteragain,trynottothinkofitasthesameoldstoryyou’veheardforyears.Trytofindsomethingnewinit.Whatdoyouthinkitwasliketobe“besieged”inJerusalem?HowlongdoyouthinkittookforthepeopleofJerusalemtorealizetheyhadnowayoutanditwasonlyamatteroftimebeforetheirpossessionswereeithertakenordestroyed?Howdoyouthinkitfeltforthemtorealizethattheywouldbecomeslavesorbekilled?
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DoyouthinktheJewsknewtheywouldbecarriedofftoBabylon,ordoyouthinktheythoughttheywouldbeleftJerusaleminpovertyliketheSamaritanswere?Explain.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience 23
WhatdoyouthinkDaniel’sparentstoldhimduringthebesiegementtopreparehimforwhatwascoming?DoyouthinktheyfeltlikeGodwasabandoningthem,ordoyouthinktheystillfeltthatGodwaswatchingoverthemandhadaplan?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
a. Trytothinkofatimewhenyousawthatsomethingreallybadwasgoingtohappeninyourlife.Explainindetailwhatthiscomingtragedywasandhowitmadeyoufeelatthattimetoknowitwascomingandyoucouldn’tstopit.
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Oncethetragedyhadpassed,whatwasyournewperspectiveonit?Explain.
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HasthewayyouseethistragedychangedatallinlightofDaniel’ssituationandhowherespondedtoit?Explain.
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WhatnewthingdoyouthinkyoucouldlearnfromthestoryofDanielthatcouldhelpyoutobemorepreparedthenexttimeyouhavetopersonallydealwithadifficultsituation?Explainindetail.
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4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
a. PrayandaskGodtoremindyoutospendtimewithHimeveryday,notonlysothatyoucanenjoyHispresencemore,butalsosothatyouwillbemorefullypreparedforwhateverdifficultsituationsyoumayneedtofaceinthefuturetoo.
b. Prayforpeopleyouknowthataredealingwithdifficultiesrightnow.PrayandaskJesustohelpthemtoseebeyondthehardtimesandtoknowthatabetterdaywillcome.Prayforthemtohavewisdom,peace,andagreatertrustinGod.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience24
Daniel Chapter 21. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Approximatelyhowoftendoyouhavedreams?Aretheyvividorhazyandhardtoremember?Whatis
themostmemorabledreamyou’vehadthatyoufeelcomfortablesharing?Describeitindetail.
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b. Haveyoueverseensignsoradvertisementsforfortunetellersorpalmreaders?Doyouknowanythingabouthowtheyclaimtotellthefuturebasedonlinesinpeopleshandsortarotcards?Explain.Doyouthinkthisisanaccurateandreliablewaytoknowwhatwillhappeninthefuture?Whyorwhynot?
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: InthischapterDanielfindshimselfinadesperatesituationwhereheneedsGod’shelpinordertosavehisownlifeandthelivesofhisfriends.ThewaythestoryistoldintheBible,Danielseemstoberathercalmaboutit.Doyouthinkhereallywasthatcalm,coolandcollected,ordoyouthinkhefreakedoutabitandwentthroughalotofstressbeforegoingtoGodwiththeproblem?Explain.
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WhatdoyouthinkitisthatdetermineshowquicklypeoplegotoGodwithproblemsversushowlongtheytrytofigureitoutthemselves?DoyouthinkitdependsonhowbigtheproblemisorhowclosethepersonfeelstoGod,oracombinationofboth?Explain.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience 25
ItisinterestingtoseehowquicklyDanielgivesspecialthankstoGodforhelpinghimknowandunderstandthedream.ManytimespeopleforgettothankGodassoonastheygettheanswertheywantbecausetheyjustgetexcitedandforget.WhatdoyouthinkitwasthathelpedDanieltoremembertothankGodimmediatelyafterhereceivedtheanswertohisprayers?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
TrytothinkofseveralthingsyoucandotofeelclosertoGodandtothinkofHimmorequicklywhenyoufacetroublesinyourlife.Makealistofthreethingsyouwouldliketotry,andthenmakeplansforhowtoimplementtheminyourlife.
TalkoveryourlistwithsomefriendsoradultswhocanhelpyoutobesuccessfulinaccomplishingthewaysinwhichyouwanttotryandgetclosertoGod.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
Prayoveryourliststogetherwithsomefriendsinasmallgroup.Writedowneveryone’slistsandrequests,andprayforeachotherandencourageeachothereverydayforoneweek.Attheendoftheweekcheckinwitheachothertoseehowit’sgoingandthensayaprayerofthanksgivingforthesuccessesyouarehaving.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience26
Daniel Chapter 31. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Haveyoueverhadtostandupinfrontofsomeoneinauthorityandtellthetruthaboutsomethingthat
happenedtoyouorsomeoneyouknew.Wasithardoreasytotellthetruthinspiteofwhatothersaroundyouweredoingandsaying?Explain.
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b. Haveyoueverbeenpressuredtotellalie?Haveyoueverbeenpressuredtosimplystayquietinsteadofspeakinguptotellthetruth?Howdiditmakeyoufeel?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: Thestorytoldinthischaptersoundslikeanincredibleparty!Canyouimaginethethousandsofpeoplesurroundingthishugestatuethatthekinghadorderedtobebuiltinhislikeness?Wouldn’tyouimaginetherewerealsoothernicedecorationsandimpressivesurroundingsaroundthestatuewherethepeoplegathered?Thentherewereallthemusiciansplayingmusicandforsomereasonevenafieryfurnacepreparedto“encourage”thepeopletheretoworshipthekingandhisimage.
HowdoyouthinkitwouldhavefeltfortheaverageBabylonianwhowasthere?Doyouthinkitwouldhavebeenlikesomeofthepopularfestivalsofourdaywithsellingfoodvendorsanddrinksandotherthingsforpeopletoenjoy?Explain.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience 27
Howdoyouthinkitmadethekingfeeltoseehissubjectsworshippinghim?HowdoyouthinkitmadehimfeelwhentheGodofthethreeHebrewsturnedouttobemorepowerfulthanhim?WhydoyouthinkhisangryarrogancesoquicklyturnedtohumilityandanordertoworshiptheGodoftheHebrewswhenhesawthathehadclearlybeenoutdone?DoyouthinktheannouncementtoworshiptheHebrewGodwasmadetotheentirecrowdofpeoplewhohadcometoworshiptheimage,orjusttothosearoundthefieryfurnace?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Trytothinkofatimewhenyouweresureyouwererightandwantedyourway.Whenyoufindyourself
insuchasituation,isiteasyorhardforyoutoadmitthatyoumayactuallybewrongwhenyoufindoutyouare?Whatdoyouthinkyoucoulddotobemoreopentoinputfromothersinsteadofbeingsosetinyourownwaysinthefuture?
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b. Doyouthinkyouwouldhavebeenabletostandupboldlyfortruthinthemidstofavastcrowdalldoingwhatwasexpectedbytheungodlyking,justlikethethreeHebrewsdid?Whyorwhynot?Makealistofthreethingsyoucoulddothatcouldhelpyoutobebolderinstandingupforwhatisright.
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4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PraywithasmallgroupandaskGodtohelpyoutothinkclearlyaboutthechoicesyoufaceonadailybasis.AskhimtohelpyoutobemindfulofwhatisrightthroughoutthedayandtogiveyouthecouragetostandupforGodandHisways.Remembertopraydailyfortherequestsmadeinyourgroupforthecomingweek.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience28
Daniel Chapter 41. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whoisthemostarrogantpublicfigureyoucanthinkoftoday?Whatdoesthispersondoandsaythat
makesyouthinktheyarearrogant?Doyouhaveanyideawhatmakesarrogantpeopleactthewaytheydo?Explain.
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b. Whoisthemosthumblepersonyoucanthinkof?Whatisitaboutthispersonthatmakesyouthinktheyarehumble?Doyouthinkbeinghumbleshowsstrengthorweakness?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: InthischapterKingNebuchadnezzarhasanotherdream,butthistimeherememberswhatitwasabout.It’sinterestingthateventhoughthewisemenweretoldthedreamthistime,theystillcouldn’tinterpretit.Inchapter2thewisemensaidtheycouldinterpretthedreamifthekingtoldthemwhatitwas.Whydoyouthinktheycouldn'tcomeupwithanyinterpretationofthisdreameventhoughthekingwasabletotellthemwhatitwasabout?Don’tyouthinktheycouldhavemadeupsomething?Whyorwhynot?
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Doyouhaveanyideasastowhythekingdidn’tcallforDanielfirstinsteadoftheotherwisemen?Afterall,hewastheonlyonewhocouldinterpretthelastdream.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience 29
ThischapterbeginswiththekingsendingamessagetoallhispeoplepraisingGod,andyetheisstillhumbledfor7yearsbecauseofhisarrogance.Isn’tthisopeningatributetoGodasignofhumility?Whyorwhynot?Explain.
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WhydoyouthinkittooksuchdrasticmeasuresforKingNebuchadnezzartolearnthelessonGodhadforhim?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Thinkthroughyourlifeandthewayyoutreatothersandthewayyoutalkaboutyourself.Doyouthinkyoustrugglemorewitharroganceorlowself-esteem?Talkaboutthischapterwithaclosefriendoradultthatyoutrustandaskthemtobehonestwithyouaboutthewaytheyseeyou.Trytothinkofsomegoalstogetherthatwouldhelpeachofyoutobemorelikethepeopleyouwanttobecome.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskJesustohelpyoutohaveahealthyself-imagebasedonHisloveandsacrificeonyourbehalf.AskHimtohelpyoutocontinuallylooktoHislifeasrecordedinthegospelsasamodelforyourlifetofollow.Chooseachapterinoneofthegospelstoprayoverandapplythelessonstoyourlifeeverydaythisweekforyourdevotionaltime.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience30
Daniel Chapter 51. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whenyouwerealittlekid,didyoueverwishyoucouldcomeacrosssomeincrediblemysteryandsolve
it?DidyoueverwanttobeadetectivelikeSherlockHolmes?Explainindetailthegreatestmysteryyoueverdreamedofsolving.
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b. Whatisthebesttrickyouhaveeverplayedonanyone?Explainindetailwhathappenedandwhatmadethe trick work.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: Inthischapterwehavethestoryofanewkingwhodidn’tlearnthelessonsfromthehistoryofthekingthatreignedbeforehim.So,here,asGod’scondemnationisfallingonhim,DanielgivesBelshazzarabriefhistorylessonofwhatheshouldhavelearnedfromthelifeandtimesofNebuchadnezzar.
SincethestoryofNebuchadnezzareatinggrassforsevenyearslikeacowmadeitintotheBible,you’dthinkitwasalsoawellknownstoryoftheday,right?Wouldn’tthatbeprettyincredibletoknowthatthekingofyourcountrywastaughtsuchanamazinglessonforalltheworldaroundhimtolearnfromtoo?HowmucharrogancedoyouthinkittookforBelshazzartoignoreallthatrecenthistoryandgetrightupinGod’sface—sotospeak—bydesecratingthesacredobjectsfromtheHebrewtemple?ExplainhowyouthinkBelshazzarandhisonethousandfriendscouldgettothepointofhavingsuchadeliberatelydisrespectfulpartycompletewithdrinking,carousing,andwhateverelsetheycouldthinkof.Dowestillseethiskindofdisrespectattimeswiththechildrenofrichandfamouspeople?Explain.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience 31
3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Thinkaboutsomeofthelifelessonsthatyouhavehadahardtimelearning.Thinkaboutsomeofthelifelessonsthathavebeeneasierforyoutolearn.Trytofigureoutwhathelpsyoutolearnfromotherpeople’smistakesaswellasyourown.Trytofigureoutwhatmakesitharderforyoutolearnfromotherpeople’smistakesaswellasyourown.Whenyouthinkyouarestartingtounderstandhowyoucanlearnmorefromlife,discussyourdiscoverieswithafriendoradultyoutrusttogettheirinputaswell.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskJesusforthewisdomtolearnfromthepastandtodobetterinthefuture.TheBiblecallsthisprocessoflearningandgrowingspiritually"sanctification."LookupsomeBibleversesthatusethiswordandprayoverthem,askingGodtohelpyoulearnandunderstandandbecomemoreandmorelikeHimwiththehelpofHisSpirit.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience32
Daniel Chapter 61. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Trytothinkofatimewhenyoureceivedaspecialawardorhonorforsomethingyoudid.Howdoesit
makeyoufeeltohavesomeoneorsomegrouptellyouthatyouhavedoneagoodjob?Explain.
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b. Whatkindofawardwouldyouliketoreceivesometimeduringyourlifetime?APurpleHeart,NobelPrize,collegescholarship,promotiontoemployeeofthemonth,orsomeotherrecognition?Explainwhythisawardwouldbemeaningfultoyou.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: ThisisanotherofthebestknownchaptersintheBible.ThestoryofDanielandthelion’sdenisoneofthefirstBiblestoriesthatistaughttochildren.InthisstoryDanielstandsoutfromtherestofthecrowdbecausehehaschosenhisownpathinlifeandisfiercelycommittedtowhathebelievesin.HeiswillingtofollowGodatanycost.
Wouldyouratherbeknownasa“HolyRoller”orassomeonewho“fitsin”withtherestofthecrowdandgoesalongwithwhateveryoneelseisdoing?
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HowharddoyouthinkitwasforDanieltostandapartfromeveryoneelse?WhatroledoyouthinkhisfamilylifebackinJerusalemplayed?
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Doyouthinkit’seasiertostaytruetothecultureyougrewupwithwhenyouarelivinginaforeignlandthatisverydifferentfromyouroriginalculture,ordoyouthinkit’seasiertoassimilateintothenewculture?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Thinkaboutyourlifeandtrytodecidewhichcultureyourlifematchesupwithmore—theculturethatsurroundsyouwhereyoulive,ortheidealspiritualculturetheBibleteachesustobeapartof.HowhardisitforyoutotaketheadviceoftheapostlePaulwhoinstructsustobe“intheworldbutnotoftheworld"?
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MakealistofthreethingsyouwouldliketostartdoinginyourlifetohelpyoubemoreapartofGod’sidealculture as taught in the Bible.
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4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskJesustohelpyouhavetheboldnesstostandapartfromtherestoftheworldanddowhatyouknowisright.AsktheHolySpirittoremindyoutoprayoveryourspiritualgoalsthreetimesperdayjustlikeDaniel did.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience34
Daniel Chapter 71. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whatisthemostconfusingriddleyouhaveeverheardthatyoueventuallyfiguredout?Whywasit
confusingtoyouatfirstandwhathelpedyoutofinallyunderstandit?Explainindetail.
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b. Trytothinkofsomeoneyouhaveheardaboutoracharacterfromabookormoviethatwasdifficulttorelatetountilyougottoknowmoreaboutthem?Whatitisaboutgettingtoknowsomeonethathelpsyoutounderstandthembetter?Explainindetailandgiveatleastoneexample.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: ThischaptercontainssomeofthegreatestmysteryintheentireBible.Thefoundersandpioneersofourchurchwrestledwiththischapterformanyyearstryingtodecipherit,andpeoplearestilldisagreeingoveritandformingnewunderstandingofittoday.
Whydoyouthinkitissohardtounderstandthetypeofimageryusedinthischapter?
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Whydoyou thinkGodspoke toDanielwith imagesofbeastsandcreatures insteadofspeakingplainly ineverydayterms?
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience 35
DoyouthinkthereisanythingwecanstilllearnfromthischapterthatcanhelpusgettoknowGodbettertoday?Explain.
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WearegivencounseltospendmostofourBiblestudytimewiththeclearpassagesthatareeasiertounderstandandlesstimewiththesereallydifficultpassages.Whydoyouthinkthatis?Whatpercentagesoftimedoyouthinkshouldbespentontheeasyversusthedifficultpassagesofscripture?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
WhenwasthelasttimeyoutriedreallyhardtounderstandadifficultpassageofScripture?Whydoyouthinkyoustruggledwithit?
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HowmuchtimedoyouspendreadingmoreeasilyunderstoodpassagesofScripture?Whydoyouthinkthatis?
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ChooseoneeasypassageandonedifficultpassagefromthebookofDanieltofocusonthiscomingweekinyourdevotions.Tryspending75%ofyourtimeontheeasypassageand25%onthedifficultpassage.Makenotesaboutwhatyoulearnandthenshareitwithyourgroupthenexttimewithyoumeetandtellthemaboutwhatyoufound.
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4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskJesustohelpyoufocusonbeingledbytheHolySpiritasyouchoosepassagesofScripture,andbesuretospendtimeinprayerbothasyou'repreparingtostudyandallthroughoutyourstudytimeeachday.AllthroughouteachdaythisweekaskGodforunderstandingandtrytoletyourmindwanderoffintothesepassagesasfotenasyoucan.Tryyourbestto"soakin"God'sword.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience36
Daniel Chapter 81. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Doyouhaveaworstnightmare?Haveyoueverhaddreamthatwassoscaryandhardtounderstand
thatitbecameverydisturbingtoyouandyouthoughtaboutitfordays?Explain.
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b. Haveyouevertriedtoimagineorcreatecreaturesoraworldthatnoonehaseverthoughtofbefore?Whatisthemostinterestingcreationyouhavecomeupwith?Explainindetail.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Readtheentirechapterandthentryyourbesttodecipherverses23-26.IfevenDanielfaintedandfeltsickwhiletryingtounderstandthemessageinthem,howdowehaveachancetoday?Lookcloselyatthelastpartofverse26.
Amisunderstandingoftheprophecyinverse14ofthischapterledtotheGreatDisappointmentof1844.ItisaverycomplexprophecythatcanonlybeunderstoodinthecontextofmanyotherdifficultpassagesinDanielandRevelation.1844wasbackinthehorseandbuggydays—longbeforecomputersandbeforetherewasalotofinformationonthebiblicalGreekandHebrewlanguages.TheseprophecieswerestudiedextensivelybyChristianswhomostlyhadnocollegedegreesandverylittletraining.Whydoyouthinktheyweresointerestedinthedeeppropheciesliketheonesinthischapter?Whydoyouthinktheytriedtostudyitthemselvesinsteadofcallinginsomeexpertsfromauniversitysomewhere?Explain.
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DoyouthinkitwaseasierorharderforthepeoplestudyingDanielinthe1800stodependontheHolySpirithelpthemunderstandtheprophecies?Doyouthinkit'seasier,harder,orthesamedifficultyforpeopleofourdaywhowanttounderstandthebookofDaniel?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
DoyoutendtoreadtheBibleandjusttrytodecidewhatitmeansforyoupersonally,ordoyoutrytounderstandtheBiblemorebystudyingitwithotherpeople?Doyoueverconsultcommentariesandotherstudymaterials?
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ChooseoneofthechaptersofDanielthatwehavealreadytalkedaboutandreviewwhatyouhavelearnedfromit.Now,findsomecommentariesandbooksonDanielandreadwhatsomeprofessionalscholarshavelearnedaboutthepassage.Talktosomefriendsaboutwhatyoulearnandhaveadiscussionabouttherolethatcommentariesandotherpeople'sthoughtsonScriptureplayinyourspirituallife.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtohelpyoubeasthoroughasyoucaninyourstudyofScripture.AsktheHolySpirittohelpyouunderstandthedifferencebetweenBiblestudyanddevotionaltime.AskJesustohelpyoutoalwaysgrowinyourrelationshipwithHimasaresultofyourtimeintheBible.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience38
Daniel Chapter 91. Warm-up (5-10 min)
a. Haveyoueverexperiencedananswertoprayer?Whatisthemostdramaticanswertoprayeryouhaveeverpersonallyexperienced?Explainindetail.
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b. Whatisthemostamazinganswertoprayeryouhaveeverheardofhappeningtosomeoneelse?Wasitsomethingthathappenedtosomeoneyouknow,someonefromastoryyoureadinabook,orsomeonethatyourememberfromtheBible?Explainindetail.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: InthischapterDanieldecidestointercedeinprayerforhisfellowHebrews.HeisprayingduringthetimethatIsraeliscaptiveinBabylonandJerusalemislyinginruins.TheBibletellsustheHebrewswereallowedtobecapturedbecausetheywerenolongerfollowingGodastheyshouldhavebeen.Now,manyyearsintothecaptivity,Danielfeelsinspiredtorepentandstartprayingforhispeople.
DanielwasoneofthegodliestpeopleintheentireBible.Thereisnorecordofhimmakingmistakesorcommittinganysin—thereareonlystoriesofhisgreatfaithfulness.WhydiyouthinkDanielprays"Forgiveus"and"wehavesinned"?Whydoyouthinkheisconfessingsinsthat—fromwhatwecantell—hedidn’tnecessarilycommithimself?Explain.
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ItseemsthatDanielbelievesthathisprayersactuallymakeadifferenceinwhatGodisabletodo,andiswillingtodotohelpHispeople.Doyouthinkthatprayerscanactuallychangetheoutcomeofthingssodramatically?Explain.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience 39
WhydoyouthinkDanielisaskingforgivenessforwhatpeopleseveralgenerationsbeforehimdid?HowdoyouthinkthesinsofpreviousgenerationsimpactedthecurrentgenerationinDaniel'sday?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
HaveyoueverfeltGod’spresencecomeandfillyouorimpressyouorspeaktoyouwhenyou'vetakenspecialtimeforprayer?Trytothinkofanissuethatisonyourmindregularly.GosomewhereandfindaquietplacewhereyoucanintercedebeforeGodforthisissue.Setasidemaybe20-30minutestospendwithGodaboutthisissue.Spendthefirst5-10minutesexplainingyourconcerntoGodandthenspendthenext15-25minutesjustlisteningforGod’sreply.Trythiswheneveryouhavegreatconcernsandseewhathappens.YoumayactuallyhearGod’svoiceorfeelHisguidanceinsomewayjustlikeDanielandmanyothershave.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayasdescribedaboveasoftenasyoucanandlistenforsomekindofleadingordirectionfromGod.Hisdirectionmaycomeinvariouswaysincludingwiseadvicefromspiritualpeopleyoumayknoworclearerunderstandinginyourownheartandmindasyouprayovertheissue.Journalingyourprayerscanbeveryhelpfulaswell.
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Daniel Chapter 10 & 111. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whatisthestrangestritualorriteyouhaveeverheardof?Isitasecrethandshake,password,hazing,
orsomeothertraditionthataccompaniedasecretgrouporclub?Explain.
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b. What is themost interestingBiblical traditionorsymbolyouhaveheardof (baptism,communion,fasting,etc.)?Whyisitsointerestingtoyou?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: In these two chapters we see one long narrative where Daniel continues to receive secret detailed messagesfromGod.WhydoyouthinkDanielreceivedmessagessoregularlythathewasabletowritethemdownordeliverthemtoothers?WhydoyouthinkthemessageswentthroughDanielinsteadofdirectlytothepeoplewhoneededthem?Explain.
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DoesthismakeDanielaprophetornot?Explain.
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DanielobviouslyhadagreatloveforGod’speopleandagreatdesiretoservethemandhelpthemtoknowGodbetter.Wheredoyouthinkadesirelikethiscomesfrom?Whydoyouthinkpeoplechoosetogivetheirlivestoservingothersinsteadofmakingmoneyandhavingfun?Explain.
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Verse12saysthatthewordsofDaniel’sprayerwereheardthedayhespokethemandhewasnowreceivingananswerbecauseofthatprayer.Doyouthinkwestillhavetoaskinordertoreceiveananswerorsolutiontoday?Explain.
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Verse14saysthatGodchosetorevealtoDanielsomethingthatwouldnothappenformanyyears?Whatisthepointintellingpeopleaboutfutureevents?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Trytothinkofsomethinginyourlifethatyouwishwasdifferent.Notsomethingtooextreme,butrathersomethingthatcouldrealisticallychange.TrytothinkabouthowmuchtimeyouhavespentintercedingandaskingGodtohelpeachindividualinvolvedinthesituation.
Choosethesituationyoujustthoughtof,anotheroneinyourownlifeyoumayprefermore,oronefromthelifeofsomeoneyouknowwhoneedshelp.Writedownindetaileveryoneinvolvedandallthedynamics.NowmakealistthatwillhelpyoutoprayindetailforeveryaspectofthissituationandcommittoprayingatleastthreetimesperdayforGod’sbestsolutionratherthanyourown.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
Start prayingnowand commit toprayingover the situation listed above for at least aweek—preferablymore—andmakenotesonhowGodacts.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience42
Daniel Chapter 121. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Doyourparentsevertellyouto“justdowhattheysay,”evenifyoudon’tunderstandwhy?Howdoes
itmakeyoufeelwhenthathappens?Explain.
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b. Howmucheffortdoyouthinkparentsshouldputintoexplainingthingstheywantyoutodoinsteadofsaying“justdoit”?Howmuchofabreakdoyouthinkyoushouldgiveyourparentswhentheyaretiredandfrustratedandjustdon’tfeellikeexplainingwhattheywantyoutodo?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: Daniel here is told clearly that he will not understand the visions and prophecies that he has had beengivenandhaswrittendown.Howharddoyouthinkitwouldbetoorganizeyourthoughtsandpresenttootherssomethingthatyoudon’tunderstandforyourself?Wouldyoubetemptedtothinkyouarecrazyorthatmaybeit’snotreallythatimportant?Explain.
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HowwouldyouknowifyouaresimplynotunderstandingandcluelessaboutwhatGodwantsyoutodo,orifyouaremisunderstandingandwritingdownthewrongthing?Explain.
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WhatdoyouthinkitwasaboutDanielthatcausedhimtobefaithfulinrecordingallthesethings,eventhoughttheymadelittletonosensetohim?Explain.
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DoyouthinkyouwouldbeasfaithfulasDanielwasorwouldyougiveup?Explain.
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HowmuchdoyouthinkDaniel’sdailyrelationshipwithGodandlearningtoknowHisvoicemadeadifferenceinhisabilitytodowhatGodaskedhimtodo?
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HowimportantdoyouthinkitisforyoutohaveacloserelationshipwithGodandlearntohearHisvoice?DoyouthinkGodcouldeverchooseyoutodelivermessagestoothers?Whyorwhynot?
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Trytothinkofsomepeopleinyourlifethatyousometimesmisunderstandorhaveconflictwith.Thesemaybefamilymembers,friends,oracquaintances.Trytothinkofsomewaysthatyoucouldworkonimprovingyourrelationshipwiththeseindividualssothatyoucangetalongbetter.Maybespendtimejusttalkingorhavingfuntogetherandseeifthathelpsyoutogetalongbetterinothersituations,suchaswhenyouneedtoaccomplishtaskstogetherordootherthingsthatoftenleadtoconflict.
Chooseoneperson that youmayhave thought of as you read theparagraph above andmake a plan forimprovingyourrelationship.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtoblessandguideyouasyoumakeplanstoimproveyourrelationshipswithothers—especiallywithparentsandotherswhomayhaveauthorityoveryou.PrayespeciallyhardwhenyoufeelconflictarisingwiththispersonorpersonsandpraythatGodcanalleviatetheconflictbeforeitgetsworse.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience44
o
Esther Chapter 11. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Whatistheworstconsequence/punishmentyouhaveeverexperiencedfordisobeyingyourparentsthat
youcantalkabout?Doyouthinkitwasfair?Explain.
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b. Doyouthinkthatitisgoodtopunishwrongdoers,ordoyouthinkeveryoneshouldbefreetodowhatevertheythinkisrightintheirowneyes?Ifyoudobelievethatpunishmentforwrongdoersisimportant,howdoyoudeterminewhoshouldgettomaketherulesandwhoshouldgettoenforcethem?
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: Thischaptertellsthestoryofadisobedientqueen.Inthetimeofthisstoryitappearsthatthequeenwas expected to do whatever the king told her to do and when she disobeyed there was a very serious consequence. Infact,thereisagreatdealofdiscussionabouttheexamplethequeenwassettingforalltheotherwomenoftheempireandwhattheconsequencesofnotpunishingherwouldhavebeen.
DoyouthinkQueenVashtiwouldhavebeenconsideredapioneerforwomen’srightsifshehaddonethatinthe1800sinsteadofthousandsofyearsagointheOldTestament?Whyorwhynot?
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Doyouthinkthisstorywouldhaveunfoldeddifferentlyifithadhappenedtodaythanifithadbackthen?Explain.
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Doyouthinktherearestillcountrieswherewomenaretreatedthiswaytoday?Doyouthinkthisisfair?Whatdoyouthinkshouldbedoneaboutit—orisitnotourbusiness?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Ifyouaremale,takeafewminutestothinkabouthowyoutreatthefemalesthatyouinteractwith.
Doyouthinkyouarefairandunbiased?Trytothinkofsomewaysthatyoucanhelpwomenintheirstruggleforequalityinourworld.Trytothinkofsomewomenorgirlsthatyoucouldstandupfororencourageinsomeway.Haveaseriousdiscussionwithsomefemalefriendsandaskfortheiropinionandinputonthisimportanttopic.
b. Ifyouarefemale,takeafewminutestothinkabouthowyouandtheotherfemalesyouinteractwithwouldliketobetreated.Makealistofthethingsinyourownlifethatyouwishweredifferentinregardstogenderequality.Gettogetherwithsomeofyourfemalefriendsandplantohaveaseriousdiscussionwithsomemalefriendsandaskfortheiropinionandinputonthisimportanttopic.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
Takesometimetoprayoverhowyoutreatyourfriendsandtheadultsinyourlifewithregardstogenderequality.AskGodtorevealanyhiddenbiasesyoumayhave.PrayandaskGodtohelpyouunderstandtheBiblebetterandtounderstandhowGodwantsusalltoloveandtreateachother.
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Esther Chapter 21. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Haveyoueverenteredacontestyoureallywantedtowin?Describewhatkindofcontestitwasand
howhardyouworked.MaybeitwasforanhonorinPathfinders,tryingoutforasportsteam,ormakingsomethingforthecountyfair.Describeindetailtheprocessyouwentthroughtotrytowinormakethecut.
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b. Haveyoueverwonaprizeatanamusementparkgameboothorfairofsomekind?Describethetypeofgameitwasthatyouplayedandwhatyoudidtowin.Describehowitfelttowin.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background:ThischapterisallaboutthebeautypageantthatEstherenteredinordertotrytobecomequeen.Sheworkedhardanddideverythingthatheruncletoldhertodoindetail.Howimportantdoyouthinkitwasforhertoberespectfulandespeciallytokeepthefamilysecretthatheruncletoldhertokeep?
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DoyouthinkEstherenteredthecontestsimplysoshecouldbecomethemostbeautifulwomaninthekingdomandhavealltheprivilegesofbeingqueen,ordoyouthinkshewasmotivatedbysomethingelse?Explain.
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Whatdoyouthinkisthedifferencebetweentryingtolookyourpersonalbestandtryingtobebetterlookingthaneveryoneelse?Whatdoyouthinkisthebestapproachtomanagingandmaintainingyouroutwardappearance?Explain.
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IntheBible,Paulclearlystatesthatyourbeautyshouldcomefromyourinnerpersonratherthanfromhowglamorousyoucanmakeyourselflookontheoutside.HowcanyouapplythisprincipletothestoryofEsther?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Thinkindetailabouthowyoufeelaboutyouroutwardappearance.Thinkindetailabouthowyoufeelaboutthekindofpersonyouareontheinside—howloving,kindandniceyouare.Asyouthinkaboutit,wheredoyouthinkyourself-esteemcomesfromthemost?Isitmostlyfromhowyouappearandwhatyouhaveorposses,ordoesitcomefromwhoyouareontheinside?Spendsometimejournalingorthinkingaboutthekindofpersonyouwouldultimatelyliketobecome.Thinkofthreethingsyoucanfocusontotrytobecomeabetterpersoninthenextmonth.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandtalktoGodaboutthepersonthatyouareandthepersonthatyouwanttobecome.AskHimtoguideyouasyousetgoalsforhowyouwanttobecomemorelikeHim.Makeyourselfanotetopraythreetimesperdayaboutwhoyouare,andaskGodtohelpyoutobemoreawareofhowyoutreatotherssothatyoucanbemorefocusedonbeinggood,kind,andloving.
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Esther Chapter 31. Warm-up (5-10 min)
Doyoufeellikeyouhaveeverbeentreatedunfairly?Whatdoyouthinkitmeanstobefair?Doyouthinkitispossibletotreatallpeopleexactlythesameordoesfairnessmeansomethingdifferentthantreatingpeoplethesame?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background:ThecultureofEsther’sdaywascertainlyalotdifferentthanculturetoday.Peopledidthingsthenthatseemunthinkabletopeopleinourtime.
Whatdoyouthinkitwouldbeliketohavetobowandpayhomagetopeoplewhohadauthorityoveryou,suchasyourteachers,parents,andoldersiblings?Howwouldthatmakeyoufeel?Explain.
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Doyoufeellikethereshouldbemorerespectforeldersinourculturetoday?Whyorwhynot?Explainindetailhowthiscouldhappenifyouthinkitshould.
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HowmuchdoyouknowabouttheWWIIholocaust?DidyouknowthatHitlerwasnotthefirstpersontoordertheexterminationoftheJews?WhydoyouthinkGod’s“chosen”peoplehaveenduredsomuchpersecutionforsomanythousandsofyears?HowdoyouthinkyouwouldfeelifyouwereapersonofJewishheritage?Explain.
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Whatpeopleorgroupsofpeopledoyouthinkareparticularlypersecutedtoday?DoyouthinkMuslims,Christians,Hispanics,Syrians,orotherpeoplearebeingunfairlypersecutedtoday?Whyorwhynot?
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Thinkaboutthewaythatyoutreatotherpeople.Doyoufinditeasyordifficulttotreateveryoneyougotoschoolorworkwiththesame?Doyoufeelatendencytotreatmaleandfemalesdifferently?Doyouhaveahardertimeacceptingpeoplefrombackgroundsandculturesthataredifferentthanyours?Takesometimetothinkaboutwhythismayormaynotbe.Trytothinkofthreepeoplethatyouwouldliketotreatbetter.Trytofigureoutwhyyoutreatthemthewayyoudoandhowyoucanmakeapositivechange.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtohelpyoutobekindandlovingtoallpeople.AskHimtohelpyoufilteroutthingsyouhearinthenewsorfromfriendsthatmaybeaffectingthewayyoutreatsomeotherpeople.PrayandaskJesustohelpyoutoloveallpeoplethewayHetreatsyouinspiteofyourfaultsandmistakes.
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Esther Chapter 41. Warm-up (5-10 min)
Whatdoyouthinkitwouldbeliketobeareal-lifeprinceorprincess?Whatwouldyoudoifyouwereaprincesswhohadanumberofmaidsand/orservants?Whatwouldyouhaveyourservantsdoforyouthroughouttheday?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
InthischapterMordecaiandtheJewsacrossthekingdomarereceivingwordaboutthedecreetokillalltheJewsinthekingdom.Howdoyouthinkyouwouldfeeltolearnthatallpeoplefromyourethnicbackgroundhadbeencondemnedtodeath?Howwouldyourespondtosuchextremehatred?Wouldyourespondwithequalhatredorwitheffortstomakeanescapeplan,orwouldyousimplyrelyonprayingtoGod?Explain.
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InthisscenariotheattentionissuddenlyturnedtoqueenEsther,whomostpeopledon’tevenknowisapersonofJewishdescent.HowdoyouthinkEsthermaybefeelingatthispoint?Herlifehasbeenturnedupsidedownduringthepastcoupleofyears.Shehasgonefrombeinganorphantothequeenofthekingdom.Howmuchpressuretoyouthinkshewasfeelingatthistime?
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WhenEstherpointsoutthefactthatgoingintothekinguninvitedcanleadtoinstantdeath,MordecaishowsastrongfaithinGodandHisleading.WhatdoesthisscenariotellyouabouttherelationshipbetweenEstherandMordecaiandthethingshehastaughtheraboutGodsinceshewasachild?Explainindetail.
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DoyouthinkparentsandcaregiversarestillteachingchildrentorelyonGodlikethistoday?Whyorwhynot?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Whatdoyouhonestly thinkyouwoulddo if you foundyourself in a situationwhereother peopleweredependingonyoutotakeastrongstandforGod?DoyoufeellikeyoucurrentlyhaveastrongenoughfaithinGodtomakeastandforsomethingimportant?
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ThinkaboutwhereyouwishyouwereatinyourwalkwithGod.Comparethatwithwhereyoufeelyouarenow.TakesometimetothinkabouthowEstherandMordecaimayhavedevelopedtheirrelationshipswithGodunderstandingthattheirtimeandcallingwasabitdifferentthanourstodayinmanyways.
InspiteofwhereyourotherfamilymembersareintheircommitmenttoGod,youcanalwaysimprovewhereyoustandwithHimpersonally.Takesometimetosetsomegoalsandplansforhowyouwouldliketogrowspirituallyinthenextfewweeks.Talkaboutyourplanswithyourparents,pastor,oryouthleaderforinput.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtoblessyouasyoumakeplansforyourspiritualgrowth.PrayandaskJesustogiveyourfamilyandfriendsthedesiretogrowspirituallyaswell.Besuretosetasidespecifictimeseachdaytoprayand to work on your spiritual growth plan.
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Esther Chapter 51. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Imagineyouarearoyalprincess.Describeindetailwhatyourroyalrobes/dress/outfitwouldlooklike
andwhattypeonentourageyouwouldhave.WouldyoubemorelikeaDisneyprincessorlikePrincessKateMiddleton?Describeindetail.
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b. Imagineyouarearoyalprince.Describeindetailwhatyourlifewouldbelike.Whatkindofcarwouldyoudrive,whatkindofbodyguardswouldyouhave,wherewouldyoulive,etc?
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: WhenyoureadthischapteraboutEsthergoinginbeforethekingattheriskofherownlife,diditmakeyoucringeorputyouinanykindofsuspense,oristhestorysofamiliarthatyoudidn’treallyfeelanything?TrytoimaginehowEstherfeltasshewentthoughthisepisodeinherlife.Howdoyouthinkyouwouldhavefeltifyouhadbeeninherplace?Explain.
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WhydoyouthinkEstherwassosubtleandsecretiveinthewaysheproceededwithherrequest?Whydoyouthinksheinvitedthekingtobanquetsratherthanjustmakingherrequestimmediately?Explain.
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Doyouthinkyouwouldbesopatientandtakesolonginmakingyourappealinregardstosuchanimportantissue?Explain.
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WhatdoyouthinkEsther,theking,andHamantalkedaboutduringthebanquets?Doyouthinkitwasabitawkwardordoyouthinktherewasplentytotalkaboutbesidesherpressingrequest?HowharddoyouthinkitwouldhavebeenforEsthertoentertainthekinginthissituation?
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WhydoyouthinkHamanfeltsospecialinthissituation?Explain.DoyouthinkitwasmeanforEsthertomakehimfeelsospecialrightbeforesheexposedhim?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Thinkaboutyourrelationshipswithotherpeople.Areyouthetypeofpersontogetstraighttotheheartofthematterandjust“sayitlikeitis”?Ordoyoutrytotakethetimetolistentopeopleanddevelopabetterrelationshipwiththembeforediggingintoadifficultissuethatyouthinkneedstobeaddressed?Listwhatyouseeastheprosandconsofgettingintoissueswithpeoplebothslowlyandquickly.
TakesometimetothinkaboutEsther’sapproachandmakesomenotesregardingwhatyoucanlearnfromhowsheapproachedthekingandHaman.Trytothinkofatleasttwopastsituationswhenaslowerandmoredeliberateapproachwithsomeonewouldhavebeenmorebeneficial.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtoguideyouinhowyoudealwithotherpeople.AskHimtohelpyoutoslowdownandcarefullythinkandtalkthroughasmanydetailsasyoucanbeforehavingseriousconversationswithothers.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience54
Esther Chapter 61. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Talkaboutatimewhenyouhaveexperiencedjealousy.Wasityoubeingjealousofsomeoneelseor
someoneelsebeingjealousofyou?Didthejealousyendupbeingagoodorabadthing?Explainindetail.
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b. Talkaboutatimewhenyousawsomeonestandupandtreatsomeonefairlywhenothersweretryingtobeunfair.Explainwhathappenedindetailandhowitmadeyoufeeltoseesomeonestandupforsomeoneelse.Talkabouthowthiscaninspireyoutostandupforothersthatareinneedofhelp.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background:Thischaptersaysthatthenightbeforethebanquetthekingcouldnotsleep,sohehadsomeonebringinthebookofroyalrecordsandreadittohim.Doyouthinkthiswasanincrediblecoincidence,astrokeofluck,oranactofGodthatcausedthistohappen?Explainindetail.
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WhydoyouthinkHaman’smindsetwassostronglysetonreceivinggloryandhonor?AllthroughthisbookHamanseemstothinkofnothingbuthimself.Howcanyoukeepfromfeelingthiswayyourself?Whatdoyouthinkisthedifferencebetweenhavinggoodself-esteemandbeingoverconfident,selfish,andarrogantlikeHaman?Explain.
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HowdoyouthinkHamanwasfeelingduringthelastpartofthischapterashecouldseehisschemetokillalltheJewsunraveling?Howdoyouthinkpeoplewhodon’tbelieveinGoddealwithtragediesthattheyfaceinlife?Explain.
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HowdoyouthinkapersonalrelationshipwithJesusand“lovingyourneighborasyourself”cankeepyoufromfallingintothesamesituationasHaman?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Spendsometimetryingtothinkofatimeinyourlifewhensomethinggoodhappenedthatyouweresurewasnotacoincidence.Trytorememberallthedetailsofwhathappened.Whatdoyouthinkwouldhavehappenedorwhatdifferentdirectiondoyouthinkyourlifewouldhavetakenifthis“actofGod”hadnothappened?
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SpendsometimethinkingthroughyourlifelookingforotherwaysthatGodhasbeenleadinganddirectingyouinyourlife.StartajournalofalltheincidencesyoucanthinkofuptothispointinyourlifeandthenkeepthejournalonhandtocontinuerecordingGod’sworkinyourlife.TheBiblecallstheseactsofGodinourlives“Ebenezers.”Theyaretoberecordedandrememberedtohelpstrengthenourfaithduringdifficulttimes.
Spendsometimetalkingwithyourparentsaboutmiraclestheyhaveseeninyourlifethatyoumightnothavenoticed,andwritethemdowninyourjournalaswell.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtohelpyoutorememberthetimesHehasworkedinyourlife.AskHimtoremindyouofeventsyoumayhaveforgottenorsimplydidn'tnoticebecauseyouweresocaughtupinthemiddleofthesituation.Praytogetherwithsomefriendsand/orfamilyandthankGodforthewaysHehasbeeninvolvedinyour lives over the years.
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Esther Chapter 71. Warm-up (5-10 min)Choose one:a. Haveyoueverhadoneofyourplansbackfire—somethingyouthoughtwouldgoonewaybutinstead
wentcompletelywrong?Explainindetailwhathappenedandwhatyoulearnedfromtheexperience.
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b. Haveyouevergoneintoasituation—maybeanewschoolorapartyoravacationofsomekind—thatyouthoughtwouldbeterrible,butactuallyturnedouttobegreat?Explainindetailwhathappenedandhowitmadeyoufeel.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: InthischapterHaman’sevilplanisfinallyunraveledasthequeenrevealsherrequest!Thekingwentintoarage,thevillainfellapartandjusticewasserved!
Doyouseeplotslikethisstillhappeninginourworldtoday?Whyorwhynot?Explain.
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Esther’sworldmayseembarbarictous—withitspublichangingsandbodiesleftondisplay,etc.—buthashumannaturereallychangedthatmuchovertime?Dopeoplestillseekselfishgainandtodobadthingstoeachotheroutofjealousyinourday?Explain.
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WhatdoesthisteachyouabouttheAdventistconceptcalled“theGreatControversy”?DiscusswhatyouknowabouttheGreatControversybetweenChristandSatanandhowitstillimpactsourworldtoday.
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DiscusswithyourgroupthreewaysyoucanbeapositiveinfluenceintheGreatControversyandhelpotherstochooseGod’ssideinsteadofSatan’s.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Trytothinkofsomesubtleworldlythingsthattemptyoutobejealousandunhappywithwhatyouhaveinlife.Weallhaveweaknessesandthingsthattempteachofusmorethanothers.Trytoidentifyatleastthreetemptationsthatyouneedtobecautiousofthatcouldleadyoudownawrongroad.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtohelpyoutonotbeledintotemptationastheLord’sPrayerteachesustodo.TurntoMatthew6:9-13andpraythroughtheLord’sPrayer,applyingeachphrasetoyourownlife.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience58
Esther Chapter 81. Warm-up (5-10 min)
Ifyouweresuddenlygiventhepowertomakeanydecreeorlawyouwantedthroughoutthecityyoulivein,whatwoulditbe?Whatdoyouthinktheresultsofyourdecreeorlawwouldbe?Wouldmostcitizensofyourcitybefororagainstit?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: AfterHamanwasgoneandhispowerandauthoritywasgiventoMordecai,therewasstillaneedforquickactioninordertosavetheJews.Theoriginaldecreecouldnotberescinded,sotheyhadtofigureoutsomethingelsetodo.Howdoyouthinktheycameupwiththenewdecreetocountertheoriginalone?Canyouthinkofanotherdecreethatcouldhavebeenjustaseffective?Explain.
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WhydoyouthinkthiskingwasstillusingthelawoftheMedesandthePersians?Whydoyouthinkitwasimportantatthattimetomakelawsthatcouldnotbeundone?Doyouthinkitmaderulersthinkmorecarefullyaboutthelawstheymade?Explain.
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DoyouthinkthatinthiscaseitwasbetterthattheoriginallawstayedineffectbecauseitthengavetheJewstheopportunitytoavengethemselvesoftheirenemies?Doyouthinktheycouldhavedonethisotherwise?Explain.
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WhydoyouthinkthisscenarioendedupbeingsuchagoodwitnessthatmanypeopledecidedtobecomeJews?Explain.
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Trytothinkofsomethinginyourlifethatlookedatfirstlikeitwouldbetotallydevastatinginsomeway,butendedupbecomingagreatblessing.Now,trytothinkaboutsomechallengesyouarecurrentlyfacingormaysoonfacethatseemhopeless.DoyouthinkthereisanypossiblewaythatGodcanbringgoodoutofthesedifficultcircumstances?Spendsometimethinkingandtalkingthrougheverydetailwithsomefriendsand/orfamilymembersandlookforpossiblewaysgoodcouldcome.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtobringgoodandunexpectedresultstothedifficultiesyoufaceonaregularbasis.Praythroughdifficultrelationshipdynamics,familysituations,andanydifficultiesyourfriendsandfamilymembersmaybefacingaswell.AskGodtobringyoupeaceandtogiveyoufaiththatHecanbringgoodoutsituationsthatseemliketheycanonlybebad.
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Esther Chapter 9 & 101. Warm-up (5-10 min)
a. Ifyoucouldchooseonetypeofpestorscarycreatureinnaturetocompletelykilloff,whatwoulditbeandwhy(mosquitos,spiders,snakes,etc.)?Whatdoyouthinktheconsequencesofeliminatingthiscreaturewouldbe.Howwoulditeffecttheecosystem?Explain.
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b. Ifyoucouldrunforanyelectedofficeinthenationwhatwoulditbe(governor,mayor,president,judge,etc.)?Whywouldyouwantthispowerandwhatwouldyoudowithittohelppeople?Explain.
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2. Engaging the Chapter (15-20 min)
Background: InthischaptertheJewswereallowedtokillthousandsoftheirenemieswithGod’sblessing.HowisitpossibletounderstandallthekillingthatgoesonintheBible?Dowesimplyneedtounderstandthatpeopleandcultureswerejustbarbaricatthattimeandinthatplace?ItseemslikemuchoftheOldTestamentinvolvesthekillingofpeoplewhohateGod’schosenpeople.Whydoyouthinkthatis?Doesallthiskillingseemhardtounderstand?Whyorwhynot?
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DoyouthinkthatiftheseenemiesoftheJewshadnotbeenexterminated,theywouldhaveeventuallyfoundawaytokilltheJews?Explain.
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DoyouthinkitispossiblethattheseavowedenemiesoftheJewshadalreadycommittedtheunpardonablesinandwerebeyondsavinganyway,soGodallowedthemtodiesothattheywouldstoptemptingandpersecutingHischosenpeople?Whyorwhynot?
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Whydoyouthinkitwasimportanttoestablishafeast/festivalinhonorofthisgreatvictoryforGod’schosenpeople?WhatdoyouthinkwastheJewishperspectiveonthisgreatevent?Howdoyouthinkyouwouldhavefeltifyouhadbeenintheirplaceatthattime?Explain.
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WhydoyouthinkGodallowedDaniel,Esther,andMordecaitoholdsuchhighpositionsinthegovernmentsoftheirtime?DoyouthinkitisstillokayforChristianstoholdhighpublicofficestoday?Whyorwhynot?
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3. Applying the Chapter to Your Life (5-10 min)
Trytoputyourselfintheshoesofsomepeoplefromanotherculturethatarefacingtroubleorsomekindofpersecutiontoday.Howdifficultisitforyoutorelatetootherpeople’sstruggles?TakesometimetodoalittleresearchontherefugeesfromSyriaorsomeothercountrywherepeoplearestrugglingtosurvive.Tryyourbesttobeobjectiveinyourresearchandunderstandtheplightthesepeoplemaybegoingthrough.Trytoseeanotherperspectiveotherthantheperspectivesyouhearmostcommonlyamongstyourpeers.
4. Prayer Time (3-5 min)
PrayandaskGodtointercedeinthelivesofthepeopleyouhearaboutthatareindifficultsituationsaroundtheworld.Includepeopleyoumayhaveheardaboutinthenews,suchas:NorthKoreans,Syrians,Mexicans,Iranians,Iraqis,andanyoneelsewhocomestomind.Trytospendsometimeeachdayinthecomingweekprayingforthosetrappedincountriesthatareinvolvedinsomekindofconflictorpersecution.
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The Pathfinder Bible Experience62
North American
Division Pathfinder Ministries
A team Bible knowledge challenge for Daniel & Esther
The PathfinderBibleExperienceApplication Guide
2017/2018 Edition