Anglican Bible study - STUDY 36, SEPTEMBER 4, 2022 
STUDY 36
Anglican Bible study - STUDY 36, SEPTEMBER 4, 2022, 12TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY SEPTEMBER 4 2022
THEME: THE LORD GOD AND THE REIGN OF PEACE
SUB THEME: Mandate of the Church for a noble and godly rule (3)
TOPIC: Spiritual and Intellectual Enlightenment
TEXT: Daniel 1:17 – 20
AIMS:
i. To highlight the reasons for Christians to possess sound knowledge of politics, culture, and history alongside the Bible and
to discuss how sound knowledge of scriptures, history and current affairs can enable God’s people effect positive change to national events and politics for their benefit.
INTRODUCTION: The text shows that Daniel and his friends learned all they could about their new culture, so they could do their work with excellence; at the same time they maintained a steadfast allegiance to God, and cleverly influenced the government and culture towards godliness. The urgent need for Christians to be enlightened both in the word of God, and current affairs – politics, culture, history, etc cannot be overemphasized. A good blend of these will enable the church raise the Daniels who will bring the will of God to bear on our national life (Daniel 4:1 – 4).
STUDY GUIDE
1. Highlight some advantages which sound knowledge of politics, culture, history and current affairs gave to Daniel and his friends in the government of Babylon (Dan. 1:17–20; 9:1 – 4).
2. From these scriptures: Dan. 9:1 – 4; 22-23; Esther 4:11, 5:1-3, 8:3 – 8; Nehemiah 1:1 – 4, 2:1 – 6; discuss how sound knowledge of scriptures, history and current affairs enabled God’s people bring change to national events and politics to their advantage.
3. What lessons can the church draw from the experiences of God’s people in this study to bring change and reform to our nation? Discuss in line with 2Peter 1:5
4. Identify two important steps Mordecai took in Esther 4:1-2,12-14 What is the danger and immunity lessons we can draw from these references?
CONCLUSION
There is no doubt Christians need more than spiritual knowledge to survive in a pluralistic world. A good blend of spiritual, political, historical and constitutional knowledge etc, will certainly be of great advantage if our Christianity must be impactful.
FOOD FOR THOUHT: Knowledge gives us power.
MEMORY VERSE: Dan 1:17 “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams”.