Living by the Book/Living by the Book Workbook Set (83 page)

As Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, do you think he had absolute confidence that God would see him through this trial alive?

Do you think he expected to die?

Do you think he might have been the least bit scared?

If you were in Daniel’s position, what would you be thinking?

We know that Daniel didn’t die; yet try to envision his ordeal. For example:

• He spent the night in the den of lions. Could he even see the big cats, or could he only hear them pacing?

• How do you suppose the place smelled (in the days before kitty litter)?

• How would you have passed the time?

• As hours went by without being mauled, would you grow more confident or more nervous?

Upon your release, would you have been as gracious as Daniel was to the king (vv. 21–22)? How would you have felt about the judgment that was pronounced on your accusers (v. 24)?

These questions are likely to raise others of your own. Learning to read this and other passages imaginatively causes the Bible to come to life more than you might ever expect.

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

John 2:1–11

TIME COMMITMENT:

30–60 minutes

“If we always read Scripture in the same way and in the same place time after time, we run the risk of making it into a routine exercise with little interest or excitement. What a tragedy, especially when we consider that history’s greatest works of art and music have been created by people who learned to read the Bible imaginatively” (p. 110).

R
ead John 2:1–11. You probably know the story, but let’s try to use our imagination a little bit.

Think back to the last wedding you attended of someone who was close to you. Suppose that person and his or her new spouse showed up at their reception to discover that for some reason there were no beverages. There were expensive canapés and extravagant desserts, but nothing to wash them down with. And all the nearby stores were closed. The newlyweds had no Plan B. How do you suppose they would feel? How would you feel as you saw them in such an embarrassing position on what should be their special day? Do you think everyone would be content to toast them with water?

With that in mind, how do you think Jesus felt when He heard that the newly married couple at Cana was running out of wine for their guests?

Do you feel there is any significance in the fact that this was the first of Jesus’ miracles? If so, why?