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The Lord can best protect those who look to Him and trust in Him. The story of Daniel in the lions’ den is a beautiful illustration of this ideal state of trust in the Lord. Daniel was in the habit of praying to the Lord three times each day, and he continued this practice even though a new law prohibited it. The consequence was being put in a den of ferocious lions, but the Lord protected Daniel, sending an angel to close the mouths of the lions.

READ: "Daniel in the Lions' Den" a sermon by the Rev. Patrick A. Rose
The story of Daniel therefore contains an eternal truth. If we have faith in the Lord, as Daniel
did, then we will be safe from the evil spirits of hell. Though those evil spirits may be as terrifying as hungry lions, we will have far greater power than they. There will be times when the evil spirits seem to gain power over us. There may be times when we shudder with terror at the thought that we ourselves may end up in hell—that we are too selfish and too proud, to ever go to heaven. It is then that we must remember and place our trust in the power of the Lord.

READING THE WORD: Daniel Trusts in His God
Read and discuss the story of Daniel and the lions' den (Daniel 6).
  - Why were some men jealous of Daniel?
  - What law did Darius sign at the urging of the men jealous of Daniel?
  - Did this law cause Daniel to change his daily routine?
  - Why was king Darius sad when he realized that Daniel was disobeying the new law?
  - Why wasn't Daniel afraid of the lions?
  - Would you be frightened if you were in a den of lions?
  - Who protected Daniel? Who protects us from evil?
  - Why could the Lord protect Daniel? (He was "found innocent.")

READ: "Daniel Worships the Lord" by the Rev. Kurt Horigan Asplundh
This is talk for young children has beautiful color illustrations.
(Note: This talk is part of the Early Childhood Program with creative instructional activities for preschoolers of all ages. Contact the Office of Education for more information.)

ACTIVITY: Dramatize the Story of Daniel in the Lions' Den (ages 3-6)
Make simple costumes for Daniel, Darius, the angel, and the lions. Then retell the story while the children act it out. Have the angel go to all of the lions to "shut" their mouths.

PROJECT: Shoebox Diorama of Daniel with Lions (ages 5-9)

COLORING PAGE: Daniel in the Lions' Den by Lisa S. Buss

ACTIVITY: Sequencing the Story of Daniel in the Lions' Den (ages 8-12)
This retelling of the story is ready to be cut into strips for sequencing by one or more children.

SING: "Daniel" by Lori Odhner

ACTIVITY: Make a Story-Line for Daniel in the Lions' Den (ages 8-14)
Make a story line reflecting your perspective on whether the events in this story are happy, sad, or "neutral."

ACTIVITY: King Darius, Daniel, and Me (teens and up)
In addition to protecting Daniel, the Lord also helped King Darius. This activity can help you explore how the Lord helped both King Darius and Daniel, and also reflect on how He helps us.

PROJECT: Close the Lion's Mouth (ages 4-8)
Here is a picture of a lion to color, then fold to close the mouth of the lion. Talk about the Lord sending His angel to close each lion's mouth to protect Daniel and keep him safe.

PROJECT: Make Models of Lions
Use a modeling compound to make a lion. In this story about Daniel, the lions picture the power and danger of evil. But in other places in the Word, a lion pictures the Divine power of the Lord, all powerful against the forces of evil.

ACTIVITY: Jigsaw Puzzle of Daniel in the Lions' Den (ages 5-8)

READING THE WORD: Lions in the Word
You may want to read these quotes about a lion picturing the power of the Lord and about lions when the portray the fury of the hells against what is good and true.

PROJECT: False Teeth (for teens and up)
The teeth of lions picture falsities that want to tear and destroy truths. On this drawing of a lion roaring, write a truth and then a false idea that wants to "tear" our understanding and application of that truth. For example, one of the Lord's commandments is that we should not take His name in vain, using it in talking about something that is not holy. A false idea or rationalization that can damage our application of this truth is that everyone does it, so it can't be that bad.

 
If the Lord did not protect a person moment by moment,
and in every shortest instant, he would immediately perish....
(Arcana Coelestia 59:2)    

We depend on the Lord's protection, for without it we would be powerless against evil.

FAMILY WORSHIP: The Lord Our Protector
Take turns reading aloud quotes From the Word about the protection of the Lord.

READ: "Daniel's Protection" a sermon by the Rev. Jeremy Simons
This sermons explores how the Lord protects every person and what that protection means. Bad
things do happen and they happen to good people as well as bad, so the Divine protection does
not mean immunity from bodily harm. But Divine protection is a very real thing.

SING: "Thou Art Our Watchful Shepherd, Lord"

FOR REFLECTION: The Lord's Care and the Protection of the Eye (ages 12-up)
When the Lord created people, He made sure that the human body is protected. For example, the eye is well protected. Can you think of specific ways it is protected?

READ: "A Little Sanctuary" by the Rev. Peter M. Buss, Jr.
The Lord provides for us continually. Throughout our lives, in all the challenges we face, He's there, protecting us from greater harm and misery, and leading us onward toward better times. There is a phrase in the Psalms which summarizes these concepts very clearly: "Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine" (Psalm 33:18-19). The eye of the Lord is a symbol for His providence - for His continual watchfulness over all the events of our lives.

PROJECT: The Lord Protects Us with the Light of Truth (ages 4-8)
Have children make a picture of the Word above them, showing the light of truth flowing from the Lord through the Word. (Use a yellow highlighter or golden glitter to make the light.) The Lord protects people by means of Divine truth, surrounding those who are receptive of His truth with a sphere of light (see Apocalypse Explained 395:2).

ACTIVITY: Make a Collection of Prayers Seeking the Lord's Protection
Write prayers that seek the Lord's protection. You may want to adapt the selected quotes From the Word about the Lord's protection, look through the Psalms in the Word, and consult Learning to Pray: Prayers from the Word for Personal Use collected and arranged by the Rev. Kurt Horigan Asplundh (available through the General Church Book Center). You could print these in a special book to read whenever you feel the need for the Lord's protection. Or memorize a few so they are always with you!

FOR REFLECTION: Hell Is Like a Huge Lion (teens and up)
Reflect on ways that the forces of evil are like a fierce lion or other wild animals by considering Mark 1:13 and True Christian Religion 123:4,6. Why couldn't we fight our evils and be led to heaven without the Lord's help?

INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY: Symbols of the Lord's Protection (teens and up)
Try the flash animation showing illustrations of symbols of the Lord’s protection and quotes from the Word.

ACTIVITY: Match the Symbols of Protection (ages 11-up)
Print out quotes from the Word and symbols of protection to match "offline."

PROJECT: Make a Collage of Symbols of Protection (for all ages )
Make a collage of quotes and symbols of the Lord's protection. This can be a collaborative project for the whole family or done individually.

SING: "If Thou But Ask the Lord to Guide Thee" 

 

 WHO CAN THE LORD PROTECT?

The Lord cannot protect a person unless he acknowledges the Divine and lives
a life of faith and charity; for otherwise a person turns himself away from the Lord.
(see Heaven and Hell 577:3)  

The Lord our heavenly Father wants nothing more than to keep us safe from evil and falsity. But He also treasures our freedom to choose between good and evil, and the way we choose to live affects the extent to which the Lord can protect us.

JOURNAL PAGE: Strong in Truth (for teens and up)
What truths have you learned that protect something precious in your life? Use this journal page with a beautiful pattern of light to write down examples of these truths, such as the teachings about conjugial love.

PROJECT: Make an "Invisible" Shield (ages 9-up)
Write favorite quotations from the Word on a piece of clear plastic to illustrate the protective quality of truth.

SING: "I Pray You, Lord, to Guide My Ways"

ACTIVITY: A Demonstration of the Lord Protecting Us (ages 4-12)
How can a clear glass, a cotton ball, and a bowl of muddy water help you illustrate the Lord's "invisible" protection of those who look to Him?

 TRUSTING IN THE LORD'S PROVIDENCE

Peace holds within itself trust in the Lord, the trust that He governs all things
and provides all things, and that He leads toward an end that is good.
(Arcana Coelestia 8455:1)  

Sometimes it can be challenging to trust in the Lord's providence. When things don't seem to be going well, we may wonder if the Lord is caring for us. Whether or not we believe it, He is always trying to lead us toward eternal happiness. If we can believe it, then we feel at peace even when troubles come our way.

READ: "How Providence Works" by the Rev. B. David Holm
Evil is never intended or sent by the Lord. He is a God of love and forgiveness who never punishes us. Neither does He inflict harm upon the innocent, nor even upon the guilty. Still, it is a law of order that every evil brings its own punishment upon itself. Evil is reluctantly permitted by the Lord, for the sake of human freedom and for the sake of salvation. If we are truly free, then we must be free even to turn from the Lord and do evil. In no other way can we be brought into heaven freely and rationally.

ACTIVITY: Food for Thought - Trusting in the Lord (for teens and up)

PROJECT: Decorate a Calligraphy About Peace (ages 8-up)
Make a lovely border for this quote or print it onto beautiful paper.

ACTIVITY: Divine Providence Story-Telling
In Arcana Coelestia 8480, we read that those who trust in the Lord are constantly receiving good from Him and that whatever happens, whether it seems to be advantageous or not, is nevertheless good, for it serves as a means contributing to their eternal happiness. Have a family discussion about this teaching. Share examples from personal experience or draw on movies and books to illustrate this idea. Remember that it is granted that a person can see the operation of the Lord’s Providence in the past but not the present (see Divine Providence 187).

SING: "Trust and Obey"

ACTIVITY: Food for Thought - How the Angels Protect Us (for teens and up)

ACTIVITY: A Helping Hand in Trial
When you find yourself in a difficult situation where you are tempted to break one of the Lord's commandments, try this: Picture yourself as the disciple Peter, walking on the water, but starting to sink. Evil spirits are trying to drag you down and under. Then, in your mind's eye, visualize the Lord's hand reaching out to grab your hand. Your trust and confidence in the Lord is restored. You have the strength to resist in temptation.

SING: Jesus, Tender Shepherd, Hear Me

ACTIVITY: Providence Family Float Trip (or do this as a meditation exercise)
When the weather is warm, try going on a family float trip using a raft, canoe, or inner tubes.
Relax and let the river current carry you along. Think about how the Lord is "carrying" us as He endeavors to lead us toward the happiness of heaven. Think of floating down the river as illustrating us when we are trusting in the Lord and letting Him be our guide. Try paddling upstream - fighting the current. This pictures how much harder we make things for ourselves if we trust ourselves rather than the Lord! Relax again, trust in the Lord, and enjoy the ride. (Remember to use sunscreen!)