Single lesson
Darius Praises Daniel's God
Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28
These verses record a royal proclamation after Daniel was delivered from the lions. The king speaks to a wide audience and describes Daniel’s God with strong words about life, power, rescue, and a kingdom that will not be destroyed.
Before you teach
The passage is a proclamation from King Darius to all the peoples, nations, and languages in all the earth. In it, he announces a decree about the God of Daniel, explains why this God should be feared, and ends by noting that Daniel prospered in the reigns of Darius and Cyrus the Persian.
Explain the central teaching of Darius Praises Daniel's God, using two details from the reading. This proclamation presents the God of Daniel as living, enduring, sovereign, and able to rescue.
Welcome: Darius Praises Daniel's God
5 minIntroduce “Darius Praises Daniel's God” and locate Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28. This proclamation presents the God of Daniel as living, enduring, sovereign, and able to rescue. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Daniel (Greek) 6:25, Daniel (Greek) 6:27, Daniel (Greek) 6:28
Read and explain the passage
12 minDarius writes broadly, addressing “all the peoples, nations, and languages” who dwell “in all the earth”. His opening blessing, “Peace be multiplied to you”, gives the proclamation a formal and public tone. The message is not private. It is meant to be heard widely across his kingdom.
The proclamation moves from who God is to what God does. Darius says, “He delivers and rescues.” He also says God “works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth”. The specific example in this passage is Daniel’s rescue from “the power of the lions”.
The passage closes briefly with Daniel himself. After the decree, we are told that Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. This ending links the king’s proclamation with Daniel’s continuing well-being in these reigns.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Darius Praises Daniel's God”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Daniel (Greek) 6:25, Daniel (Greek) 6:27, Daniel (Greek) 6:28
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What titles or descriptions does Darius give to the God of Daniel?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This proclamation presents the God of Daniel as living, enduring, sovereign, and able to rescue. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Daniel (Greek) 6:26, Daniel (Greek) 6:27, Daniel (Greek) 6:25
Make and respond: Read and respond sheet
12 minWork on “Darius Praises Daniel's God: Read and respond sheet”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Darius Praises Daniel's God” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Daniel (Greek) 6:25, Daniel (Greek) 6:27, Daniel (Greek) 6:28
Closing: return to Darius Praises Daniel's God
3 minRevisit Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Darius Praises Daniel's God and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Daniel (Greek) 6:25, Daniel (Greek) 6:27, Daniel (Greek) 6:28
Questions to explore
What titles or descriptions does Darius give to the God of Daniel?
Look carefully at the words in the decree, especially the phrases about God’s life, steadfastness, kingdom, and dominion.
Daniel (Greek) 6:26
What actions of God are named in this proclamation?
List the verbs Darius uses, then notice the one specific rescue he mentions as evidence.
Daniel (Greek) 6:27
Who is the proclamation addressed to, and what does that show about its importance?
Notice how wide the audience is in the opening line and connect that with the formal decree that follows.
Daniel (Greek) 6:25, Daniel (Greek) 6:26
Make, think or respond
Darius Praises Daniel's God: Read and respond sheet
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “A key statement”, “A supporting detail”, “A question to discuss”.
- Read Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28. Use “Darius Praises Daniel's God” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write one sentence explaining the passage, using a detail from your sheet as evidence.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Darius Praises Daniel's God connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Darius Praises Daniel's God” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Daniel (Greek) 6:25–28. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Daniel (Greek) 6
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you.
26 “I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; “for he is the living God, and steadfast forever. His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed. His dominion will be even to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues. He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.