Owning Religious FreedomDaniel 5:8-18; 6:10-13; Mark 12:13-17; Acts

5:27-29; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17

David & Jason Benham

Baphomet

1. What are the historic origins of religious liberty?

2. Is there a difference between religious liberty andseparation of church and state?

3. What are some challenges to religious liberty today?

4. How should believers respond to events like the recent Supreme Court decision relating to gay marriage?

5. What is our responsibility when it comes to religiousliberty?

John Bunyan

Owning Religious Freedom

• The Court and Conscience in Conflict – Daniel 5:8-18; 6:10-13

• A Taxing Question about Taxes – Mark 12:13-17

• Whom Should We Obey? – Acts 5:27-29; Romans 13:1-7

• An Appropriate Response – 1 Peter 2:13-17

Discussion Guide:1. The first verses of Daniel 5 describe a banquet in the

palace of King Belshazzar in which the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote a message in the plaster wall. How did the King react to the writing on the wall? Who was brought to interpret the writing? How did Daniel respond to the King’s words? (Daniel 5:8-18)

King Belshazzar was frightened by the writing on thewall. Daniel was called to interpret the writing. Daniel

refused the King’s gifts but promised to read thewriting.

Discussion Guide:

2. The first verses of Daniel 6 tell of a time when King Darius issued a decree stating that anyone who prayed to any god or man except for the King, for the following thirty days would be thrown into the den of lions. How did Daniel respond to the King’s decree? (Daniel 6:10)

When Daniel heard about this decree he wentto an upstairs room in his home and prayed to

God, just as he had always done.

Discussion Guide:

3. What was the result of Daniel’s civil disobedience? (Daniel 6:11-13)

Daniel’s enemies observed him praying andreported him to the king.

Discussion Guide:

4. What do these events from the life of Daniel tell us about religious freedom?

Discussion Guide:

5. How did the religious leaders try to entrap Jesus? (Mark 12:13-15)

The religious leaders tried to entrap Jesus byasking him a controversial question about

taxes.

Discussion Guide:

6. What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s?” What does this tell us about religious freedom?

Discussion Guide:7. What was the High Priest’s accusation

against Peter and the other apostles? (Acts 5:27-28)

The Sanhedrin and the High Priest remindedPeter and the apostles that they had been

given strict orders not to teach in the name ofJesus.

Discussion Guide:

8. What reason did Peter give for their disobedience? (Acts 5:29)

Peter told the High Priest, “We must obey Godrather than men!”

Discussion Guide:

9. What would you do if the government threatened you with imprisonment or death if you continued to pray, read your Bible or talk about God in public?

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10. How should a believer respond to the laws and leadership of government? (Romans 13:1-7)

Believers must submit to governing authoritiesbecause they have been established by God.

Discussion Guide:

11. Why does Peter urge believers to submit themselves to governmental authority? (1 Peter 2:13-15)

Peter says that it is God’s will, because whenwe do good we silence the ignorant talk of

foolish men.

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12. What did Peter say that believers should not do with their freedom? (1 Peter 3:16)

Peter says that believers should not use theirfreedom as a cover-up for evil.

Discussion Guide:

13. How might believers use freedom as a cover-up for evil?

Discussion Guide:

14. What role does respect play in our attitude toward government? (1 Peter 3:17)

Peter says that we should respect everyone,even the king.

Discussion Guide:

15. As we have done our scripture study today it seems that there have been two seemingly conflicting teachings. What are they? How can we reconcile them?