Before You Teach
A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.
Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, were taken from their homes as young men and brought to Babylon. The king pushed them to eat his food, bow to his golden statue, and stop praying. Each time they stayed polite to the king but faithful to God. This week the children learn that Jesus will help them do what is right, even when it is hard.
In Daniel 1, the king's servants give the young men new Babylonian names and the king's food. They ask to eat simple food and drink water for ten days instead. At the end of the test they are healthier than the others, and God gives them wisdom. In Daniel 3, King Nebuchadnezzar builds a golden image and commands everyone to bow to it. The three friends refuse and are thrown into a very hot furnace. The king sees four people walking in the fire, one "like the Son of God," and the three come out unhurt. In Daniel 6, jealous leaders trick King Darius into making a law against praying to anyone but the king. Daniel keeps praying, is thrown into a den of lions, and God shuts the lions' mouths. Daniel comes out safe "because he believed in his God" (Daniel 6:23). After both miracles, the kings praise the God of Israel.
Children ages 8 to 10 feel pressure from friends at school, from screens, and from wanting to fit in. They can understand that Daniel and his friends were young people far from their parents who had to decide for themselves. The "but if not" idea fits this age well: we choose the right because we love God, not only because something good will happen to us right away.
Full Lesson Flow
Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.
Activity options
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Ask: "Imagine you choose the right thing at recess, and nothing good happens. No one notices. Maybe a friend even gets upset. Would it still be worth it?" Let two or three children answer. Then say: "Today we will meet three young men who were asked a much harder version of that question. Listen for what they said."
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Ask: "Imagine you choose the right thing at recess, and nothing good happens. No one notices. Maybe a friend even gets upset. Would it still be worth it?" Let two or three children answer. Then say: "Today we will meet three young men who were asked a much harder version of that question. Listen for what they said."
Hold up a glass of water and a cookie. Ask, "If a king offered you fancy food every day, but you knew God wanted you to eat something else, what would you do?" Tell them Daniel and his friends faced that choice in Daniel 1, and it was only their first test.
Paths
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Tell the story briefly: the king built a giant golden image and said everyone must bow down or be thrown into a burning furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego would not bow. The king gave them one more chance. Have the children find Daniel 3:17–18 and read it with a partner. Point out these words:
our God whom we serve is able to deliver us But if not
Explain: the three friends knew God had power to save them. They also knew He might not save them that day. Either way, they would not bow, because they had promised to worship only God.
Questions:
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Tell the story briefly: the king built a giant golden image and said everyone must bow down or be thrown into a burning furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego would not bow. The king gave them one more chance. Have the children find Daniel 3:17–18 and read it with a partner. Point out these words:
our God whom we serve is able to deliver us But if not
Explain: the three friends knew God had power to save them. They also knew He might not save them that day. Either way, they would not bow, because they had promised to worship only God.
Questions:
Have the children read Daniel 6:10 and count how many times a day Daniel prayed (three). Then read the end of verse 23 together: Daniel was safe "because he believed in his God."
Questions:
Activity options
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The king was powerful and angry, and the three friends were young and far from home. Still, they chose God. In the furnace, the king saw a fourth person with them, "like the Son of God." They were not alone. When you choose the right at school or at home, you are not alone either.
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The king was powerful and angry, and the three friends were young and far from home. Still, they chose God. In the furnace, the king saw a fourth person with them, "like the Son of God." They were not alone. When you choose the right at school or at home, you are not alone either.
The three friends said "but if not" before they knew how the story would end. Sometimes we keep a commandment and the blessing comes later. We obey because we trust Heavenly Father and love Him.
After the furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar praised God (Daniel 3:28–29). After the lions' den, King Darius told his whole kingdom to honor "the God of Daniel" (Daniel 6:26). Your choices help your friends and family see what you believe.
Activity options
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Materials: 6 to 8 situations written on slips. Zero-prep: make them up as you go. Connection: the friends stood when others bowed (Daniel 3:18). Question: Which of these would be hardest for you, and who could help you?
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Materials: 6 to 8 situations written on slips. Zero-prep: make them up as you go. Connection: the friends stood when others bowed (Daniel 3:18). Question: Which of these would be hardest for you, and who could help you?
Materials: three pictures. Zero-prep: write the three story names on the board. Connection: retells Daniel 1, 3, and 6. Question: Which friend in these stories would you most like to be like, and why?
Materials: paper and crayons. Zero-prep: children name places out loud while you list them on the board. Connection: Daniel prayed even when it was against the law. Question: When is a time you felt better after praying?
Idea A (default): Ask: "Where might you need to stand strong this week? On the bus, at recess, online?" Have each child quietly pick one place.
Idea B: Talk about the Word of Wisdom. Daniel and his friends were blessed for taking care of their bodies (Daniel 1:15–17). Heavenly Father gives us a law of health today too (Doctrine and Covenants 89).
Take 30 seconds as part of the close. Ask: "How do you think the three friends felt when they saw they weren't alone in the fire?" Invite anyone who wants to share how Jesus has helped them do something hard. Do not push anyone to share.
This week, when you feel pressure to do something wrong, remember the words "but if not" and choose the right anyway. Pray each morning and each night, like Daniel, and ask Heavenly Father to help you be brave. Next week, be ready to tell the class about one time you stood strong.
If you are running late, skip ahead to the activity you picked. Stand Strong needs no supplies and works well for a wiggly class.