Speaking of JESUS

Discussion Questions

1. What experience do you have with performing in an ensemble (i.e., anything from "only as an observer" to "I toured with a choir")?
   
   
2. Thinking about the ensembles of which you've been a part, what were your greatest frustrations? If you never participated in one, were there opportunities you declined? Why?
   
   
3. Why do you think people derive joy and satisfaction from performing ensembles (whether as observers or participants)?
   
   
4. We've been listening to the OT Book of Daniel for 7 weeks. This week, rather than focusing on a single passage of Daniel, we'll discuss a theme of the book, namely, that the God of Israel is orchestrating all of history for the sake of his people, and, ultimately for all creation. The vision from Daniel chapter 2 makes this clear—all the chaos and cacophony of violent, arrogant human kingdoms will ultimately give way to the consonance and harmony of God's Kingdom (Dan 2:44-45). Daniel, however, in the midst of the chaos, doesn't understand how God will do this, and his visions of the future are making him sick and tired (see Daniel 7:28, 8:27, and 10:8-9).
   As you consider the future, how can you relate to Daniel?
   
   
5. When you read Daniel's book, one of the messages is that "God is in control." If we use the metaphor, "God is orchestrating," or, "God is directing creation as his musical ensemble," how does that add depth and dimension to the statement, "God is in control"?
   
   
6. What are the limits of this metaphor? Does it conceal any other important truths from the Bible?
   
   
7. How is this theme from Daniel good news for you?
   
   
8. Coming away from this discussion, what do you want to say to people in your household, congregation, or neighborhood?
   

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