Lesson 46. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego
Bible Story
This Week's Scripture
Story Summary Below is an overview of the Bible story from this week
This is a very famous story and is also relatively short (mostly contained in Daniel 3). Therefore, refer to the scripture to get a summary of the story.
There are a couple of items to note about the story:
- In the last lesson, we learned that Nebuchadnezzar is the King of Babylon that besieged Jerusalem and carried away many of the Jews to Babylon.
- As part of his assimilation strategy, he brought some of the best and brightest from Judah to be incorporated into the king's palace. He educated them, pampered them, and changed their names.
- Four of those youth are the subject of many stories in the Book of Daniel:
- Daniel (Belteshazzar)
- Hananiah (Shadrach)
- Mishael (Meshach)
- Azariah (Abednego)
- The Bible doesn't explicitly tell us who the 4th man in the furnace is (in Daniel 3:25). Some have theorized that it was an angel who protected them, some say it was Christ himself.
Videos
God's Story - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
From Crossroads Kids Club
The Fiery Furnace
From Saddleback Kids
The Fiery Furnace Bible Story
From Kids on the Move
Resource Sheet
Shadrach, Meschach & Abednego Coloring Sheet
This coloring sheet depicts the 3 Israelites remaining steadfast in their worship of God and not the King's statue.
During the Week
Comprehension Questions you can ask your child these questions to see how much of the story they remember
- What country was King Nebuchadnezzar king of?
- Babylon
- What did he want to do with the people of Babylon
- To bring the best and brightest to stay in his palace, be educated in their language, and to eat from the king's table
- Who were the 4 youths that the book of Daniel tells stories about?
- Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah
- What did the king's servant change their names to?
- Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
- What did King Nebuchadnezzar make?
- A golden statue of himself
- What law did he make about it?
- That at the sound of music, everyone was to bow down and worship the statue
- What was the punishment for anyone who didn't fall down and worship the statue?
- They were to be thrown into a fiery furnace
- Who did not bow to the statue?
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
- What did the King do to punish them?
- He heated the furnace 7 times hotter than it had been and threw them in
- What surprised the King after he threw them into the furnace?
- He only threw 3 men into the furnace, but he saw 4 men walking around in the furnace, not bound, and walking around
- What did the King do after they came out of the furnace unharmed?
- He made a new law that said everyone in Babylon was to worship the God of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego
Faith Questions help them apply the story to their lives and open up a conversation about faith and the gospel
- In this story, we see three men who were steadfast in their worship of God and only God. The other Israelites were not this way at all. Remember, that's why God judged them and sent them into exile!
- Are you willing to serve only God in your life? No matter what?
Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:11-12