Why do you think that the satraps are so intent on finding some sort of leverage against Daniel?  (6:1-5)  Why do they find this task  so challenging?  What do they have to resort to?  (6:5-9)

The text mentions several times that the decree from the king cannot be changed.  (6:8, 6:12, 6:15, 6:17)  Why is this significant?  What does it say about the king(s) in the ancient world that they saw their word as infallible, and their decrees as unchangeable and irrevocable?  How might this serve as a cautionary tale for us?

In what was do we see Daniel being subject to the governing authorities?  (Romans 13:1-7)  In what ways do we see him refusing, and determining to obey God rather than men?  (Acts 5:27-32)  What does it look like for us, as Christians, to hold those two commands in tension, and obey them both today?

Describe how King Darius appears to think and feel about Daniel.  (6:14, 6:16, 6:18, 6:19-20)  

It seems as it Darius has the best of intentions when it comes to Daniel.  Why is it important for us, as Christians, to have “good intentions”?  Is it true that merely having good intentions is not sufficient in the Christian life?  Why or why not?

What happens to the men who accused Daniel?  How does their story serve as a warning for us? 

Why did God deliver Daniel from the lions’ den?  How does God’s deliverance change the way that Darius sees and thinks about God?  (6:21-22, 6:25-27)  

Describe the similarities that we see between this account (of Daniel and the lions’ den) and Daniel 3 (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and the fiery furnace).

Describe the similarities that we see between the person of Daniel, and the person of Jesus.

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