Class Lesson February 7, 2021

 

Question 1:

How do you tune out distractions when you really

need to focus?

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Productivity expert Merlin Mann coined the phrase “inbox zero” to describe the concept of retaking control of your life from your computer. Mann’s theory is that if you can clear out your email inbox and keep it empty, you will experience higher productivity, a sense of stability, and lower stress levels. An overflowing inbox does more than curb productivity; it can cast a “sink full of dirty dishes” fog over your life.

Achieving “inbox zero” doesn’t mean you will have to constantly check your email; actually, the opposite is true. Proponents recommend disabling notifications and having your email app closed most of the day in order to focus your attention on your day’s priorities. You’ve achieved zero status when you reclaim attention and retake control of your life.1

While it’s not possible to achieve sinless perfection this side of heaven, it is possible to achieve “confession zero.” Sin buildup is far worse than any accumulation of emails, but through the disciplines of fasting and confession, we can maintain a strong relationship with God. 

THE POINT

Fasting and confession keep

us rightly focused on Christ.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Daniel 9:1-4

1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom—2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.” 

The community of Old Testament believers observed days of fasting as a part of their religion to help them keep their minds focused on God (Jer. 36:6). They also fasted when individuals faced difficult circumstances. For instance, King David fasted when he mourned over the deaths of Saul and his son Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:12). 

Question 2:

What are some good reasons

for fasting?

Fasting is more than just abstaining from food. Simply abstaining from food is not necessarily a positive spiritual activity. For example, Jonathan fasted out of anger against his father (1 Sam. 20:34), and Ahab fasted and sulked as part of a pity party (1 Kings 21:4). However, most of the time the Old Testament writers cast fasting in a favorable light as a way to keep believers focused on greater things than their immediate physical needs.

Daniel fasted and prayed because of extreme circumstances. As he prayed and fasted, Daniel wore sackcloth and sat in ashes, as was customary during that time. For Daniel, this was not a routine observance of his faith. He was deeply burdened.

Daniel was no longer the teenage boy who had been brought to Babylon as a captive during Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (Dan. 1). King Nebuchadnezzar and King Belshazzar had died, and now Darius was king in Babylon. Likely Daniel was around eighty years old, which is significant because Jeremiah had prophesied that Israel’s exile and captivity would last around seventy years (Jer. 29:10). That captivity now was almost over.

Instead of celebrating the inevitability of freedom, however, Daniel put on sackcloth, sat in ashes, abstained from eating, and prayed. His burden for Jerusalem shifted his focus away from food and comfort to what was really important. The burden of his sin and the sin of God’s people drove him to pray a prayer of confession to the Lord. 

Daniel was deeply burdened, but that doesn’t mean he was depressed or pessimistic. Nor did his concern grow out of some stress induced anxiety. It had grown out of spending time in God’s Word. Daniel’s biblical literacy contributed to his time of prayer and fasting. Because Daniel had faithfully studied the Word, he knew Jeremiah had predicted the captivity would last seventy years. Daniel also knew God is faithful to keep His word and covenant. Since the exile would soon be over, Daniel turned to God in prayer. 

Even with the weight of sin burdening him, Daniel still was able to see the glory of God. His prayer began with praise and adoration of “the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (v. 4) and who loves and cares for his people. Fasting doesn’t appear to be as common today as it was in biblical times. However, the discipline of fasting is still an appropriate observation. 

Daniel 9:5-7

5 “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. 7 “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.” 

When Solomon dedicated the temple, he prayed and asked God to forgive the sins of His people, even if those sins resulted in exile and captivity (2 Chron. 6:36-39). God heard and answered Solomon’s prayer, saying that if “my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (7:14).

FOCUS THROUGH FASTING

Using the acrostic below, describe something you could do

with each item to help maintain a focus on Jesus.

Food _______________________________________

Activities ____________________________________

Spending money _____________________________

Time _______________________________________

Instead of eating a meal or snack this week, spend that time

in focused prayer as you commune with Christ.

“Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by

finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food.”

DALLAS WILLARD

Now, more than 400 years later, Daniel and his fellow Jews were experiencing the very exile and captivity in Solomon’s prayer. Perhaps thinking of God’s promise in 2

Chronicles 7 and knowing God would hear him, Daniel prayed a prayer confessing both his personal sin and the sins of all Israel.

It’s often easier to see the sins of others rather than our own sin. When we forget about our own sinfulness, it’s human nature to gossip and talk about other people’s sins. However, when we remember our own sinfulness, we move away from gossip about the sins of others and go straight to confession.

Daniel didn’t question God’s love for them, in fact, he did the opposite; he affirmed the special love God had for His people (v. 4). Daniel also didn’t question why they were in captivity.

He confessed the sins of the Jewish community, even while they were in exile. He included himself in his confession of corporate sins. He was thorough in his confession.

No excuses. No mitigating circumstances. God’s people were absolutely, unequivocally wrong. As Daniel confessed their sins, he also declared God’s righteousness. Daniel was able to bear his soul and confess with outright transparency because he knew what God would do when he confessed his sin and the sins of the people. As God had promised: “I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14b). 

Question 3:

Why is confession an important

part of our spiritual lives?

Daniel 9:17-19

17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” 

As Daniel concluded his prayer, he included a phrase from a blessing given in the law: “The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you” (Num. 6:24-26). However, instead of asking for God’s face to shine on his people, Daniel prayed for God to “look with favor on your desolate sanctuary” (v. 17).

Daniel’s petition was not based on the worthiness of God’s people, but on God’s great compassion. He wanted God’s name to be lifted up by raising Jerusalem again. That’s not to say he prayed just for buildings and walls to be rebuilt. Yes, Jerusalem bears God’s name, the temple was built for His glory, and rebuilding the city and temple would glorify God, but the people also bore His name. Daniel pleaded with God to hear, to forgive, and to act, for the Lord’s sake. 

Question 4:

What obstacles might hinder us

from praying, confessing, and fasting in our lives?

Daniel’s attention wasn’t on getting something from God; his focus was on God himself. Burdened with a heavy heart, Daniel shifted his focus from food and comfort. We’ve already seen that his prayer included confessing his sins and the sins of the people without making excuses or allowances. Now with his attention focused exclusively on God, he prayed for God’s name to be lifted up as He restored His people from captivity.

Confession and repentance are always the right things to do; these humbling actions make it possible to restore our relationships. However, if we don’t confess our sins, we can’t see clearly; our minds remain on our sin. Because we carry guilt about our sins, we can’t pay attention to God. But when we confess our sins, God forgives, the fog lifts, and we are able to focus on Him. 

Question 5:

What are the benefits of praying,

confessing, and fasting as a community?

LIVE IT OUT

What will you do this week to keep your focus on Christ? Choose one of the following applications: 

• Confess. Spend time confessing any sin you haven’t previously brought to God. Confession is “agreeing with God” that your actions were sinful. Don’t make excuses. Confess—and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

• Fast from technology. Choose something that you do daily, such as watching television or connecting on social media, and commit to a fast from that activity for the next week. Use that time for uninterrupted prayer and to focus on Christ.

• Fast from food. If your health allows, spend next weekend in an extended fast. Join others who are doing this Bible study in praying for a spiritual awakening in our nation.

“Confession Zero” is our goal. We must leave no sin unaddressed in our hearts. Rather, we should diligently search our hearts for hidden sin, confess it to the Lord, receive forgiveness, and experience the stability and peace that comes from fellowship with God.

Teacher's Notes:

Maintaining Focus on God

Fasting and confession keep us rightly focused on Christ.

The Passage: Daniel 9:1-7,17-19

Click Here to Watch

What kinds of things pull your focus off of God?

 

The Setting: The Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar II (ruled 605–562 BC) invaded Judah in 605 BC, the first of three invasions (in 605, 598, 586 BC). It was during this first invasion that the Judean nobility, including Daniel, were taken as hostages to Babylon – Daniel was 15 years old. Despite being a hostage, Daniel would minister as a prophet of God for about seventy years.

605 Judah invaded Daniel taken at 15

538 First year of Darius’ reign

67   Years Israel had been exiled to Babylon – prophesy was 70

15   Daniels’ age when taken hostage

82   Daniels’ age at the time of this lesson

 

Daniel 9:1-4

1 In the first year of Darius son of Xerxes (a Mede by descent), who was made ruler over the Babylonian kingdom—2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments.”

Fasting: The community of Old Testament believers observed days of fasting as a part of their religion to help them keep their minds focused on God (Jer. 36:6). They also fasted when individuals faced difficult circumstances. For instance, King David fasted when he mourned over the deaths of Saul and his son Jonathan (2 Sam. 1:12).

What are some good reasons for fasting?

• Fasting helps us focus on greater things than just our physical needs.
• Fasting is an act of devotion by which a person demonstrates his need for God by refraining from eating. The normal fast involved total abstinence from food but not water.

 

What life events might cause us to seek the Lord through prayer and fasting?

• End times - Country in turmoil / Times of great distress and need for God / Sin

 

What prompted Daniel to pray and fast?

• The reading of God’s Word. God reveals Himself, His promises, and His will through His Word – we would do well to spend time studying and obeying it to.
• In times of despair, we need to seek the Lord through prayer, demonstrating our humility and rendering our praise to Him as the awesome God that He is.
• God is faithful to His promises to us; we ought to be faithful to our promises to Him.

 

 

Daniel 9:5-7

5 “We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. 7 “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you.”

What can we learn about genuine confession from Daniel’s prayer?

• Confession draws our focus to God – why – because He forgives
• Daniel’s confession of the greatness of God led to confession and repentance of sin. Any time we are in the presence of the righteous, holy Lord we become aware of our own unrighteousness and sinfulness.

 

Why is confession an important part of our spiritual lives?

• Sin – tartar build-up / getting your teeth clean
• Now it’s not possible to achieve a sinless perfection this side of heaven, it is possible to get your teeth clean. It’s called Confession. Sin build-up is far worse than tartar build-up on your teeth. Daniel tells us this morning that the discipline of fasting and confession will cleanse our relationship with God and help us maintain a strong relationship and focus of Him.

When Solomon dedicated the temple, he prayed and asked God to forgive the sins of His people, even if those sins resulted in exile and captivity (2 Chron. 6:36-39). God heard and answered Solomon’s prayer, saying that if “my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (7:14).

 

Daniel 9:17-19

17 “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

How does confession of sin affect our relationship with Christ and with others?

• It gets God’s attention – prayer and fasting draw our focus to God – why – because He answers.
• Daniel’s petition was not based on the worthiness of God’s people, but on God’s great compassion. He wanted God’s name to be lifted up by raising Jerusalem again. Daniel pleaded with God to hear, to forgive, and to act, for the Lord’s sake.

 

What do you see as the greatest hinderance to praying, confessing, and fasting in our lives?

• Sin itself - If we don’t confess our sins, we can’t see clearly; our minds remain on our sin. Because we carry guilt about our sins, we can’t pay attention to God.

 

What are the benefits of praying, confessing, and fasting as a community?

• But when we confess our sins, God forgives, the fog lifts, and we are able to focus on Him.

The Point: Fasting and confession keep us rightly focused on Christ.

 

Close:

Prayer: How do you evaluate the consistency of your prayer life?

Fasting: Even if you do not fast in the sense of refraining from eating, how do you exemplify the concept in your own life by setting aside something to give attention to the Lord?

Humility: How do you maintain a spirit of humility before the Lord?

Marriage.com suggests that a lack of communication is the third leading cause to the breakdown in marriages. Communication is key to any relationship. Furthermore, communication is of utmost importance in our relationship with Christ. Our spiritual growth will be in direct proportion to our communication with God. Remember: when we pray, we are talking to God. And, when we read the Bible, God is talking to us. The more we talk to God and the more we allow God to talk to us, the more we become more like Jesus Christ.