God Humbles the Proud

Can you name a time in your life when you went into something overconfidently and later realized it, but it was too late?

Read Daniel 4:28-33

What might the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliation communicate to ancient Israelites living under foreign rule? What warning might it send to those who elevate themselves above God?

Read Daniel 5:1-9, 24-30

What did Belshazzar fail to learn from his father’s mistake? How should these stories inform the way we live today?

Why would it be important for the audience of Daniel’s narrative to see these two stories side-by-side? What is the overarching point that these two stories are making?

Have you seen the principle—God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble—ring true in your life? Explain.

Where do you place your source of confidence? How have you seen your confidence in the God of the Bible strengthened in your life? How can we encourage one another to find our confidence in God?