Bible Story Day 1: The Fiery Furnace

Resources: Christian Newsletter: October 2022, Story Props: The Fiery Furnace

You Will Need:

Before telling the story, become familiar with it so you can tell it in your own words. Read Daniel 3. Also, review the paraphrase below.

Introduction: Turn to the Ten Commandments in the Bible (Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 3). Briefly talk with the children about the commandments. If you have the Story Props from the September Faith Lessons, you may want to review the story of when God gave his people the Ten Commandments (see Related Activities). Explain that in today's story, some young men had to decide how important it was to obey God's commandments.

Tell the Story: Show the Fiery Furnace Story Props as you tell the story.

Nebuchadnezzar (NEH-buh-kuhd-NEHZ-ur) was the king of Babylon. Many people worked for King Nebuchadnezzar. Three of these people were Shadrach (SHAD-rak), Meshach (MEE-shak), and Abednego (ah-BED-nee-goh). They did a good job and the king was pleased.

The king commanded some of his workers to make a very tall golden statue. It was taller than two telephone poles stacked on top of each other! Whenever his musicians played their instruments, everyone in Babylon was supposed to bow down and worship the golden statue. Anyone who did not bow down would be thrown into a fiery furnace! (Show Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Will Not Worship the Statue Story Prop.)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remembered the Ten Commandments that God gave his people. They knew that the second commandment said, "Worship only God." They refused to disobey the commandment and worship another god. People noticed that when the music played, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not bow down. Some men told the king. The king talked to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave them one more chance to bow down to the statue. He warned them that if they did not bow to the statue, they would be thrown into the fire. He said that God could not help them. The three friends would not do it. They told the king that they knew that God was strong enough to protect them. They said that even if God did not choose to save them from the fire, they still would not bow down to the statue. They were willing to die before they would disobey God! King Nebuchadnezzar was angry. He ordered his soldiers to make the fire seven times hotter. They tied up the three friends and threw them into the blazing fire.

King Nebuchadnezzar was watching. He asked, "Didn't we throw three men into the furnace? Weren't they tied up?" Everyone agreed that this was true. But the king said he could see four men walking in the fire! They were walking around and were not tied up. (Show The Fire Can Not Hurt Them Story Prop.) He called to them to come out. Not one hair on their heads was singed. Not one thread on their clothing was burned. They didn't even smell like smoke. The king knew that God had protected Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He made a new law that no one could say anything bad about God!

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not afraid of King Nebuchadnezzar and his fiery furnace. They loved God and put him first. God wants us to love him more than anything or anyone else. He wants to be first in our lives.

Story Treasure: The Story Treasure for this story is a picture of fire. It will remind children of the fire in the fiery furnace. Place the picture in a treasure. (If you started the Faith Lessons earlier, use the box from before.) Continue to add Story Treasures to the box as each is introduced. From time to time, show a treasure and ask the children which story it helps them remember.


Related Activities:
The Fiery Furnace: Introduction and Lesson Preparation This activity provides an introduction to Christian Faith Lessons and ideas to prepare your classroom for the lesson.
Bible Story Day 1: The Ten Commandments Children learn about the Ten Commandments.