Repentance, Daniel 9: 3-19

Questions for Reflection/Discussion: 1. Can you think of a song you have sung in church recently that basically leads us in a corporate repentance or lament? Why do you think there is such a lack of such songs in the American church repertoire? What might that reflect? Why do you think it is so hard for us to corporately or communally repent? 2. Daniel repented on behalf of his people once he heard the news that the destruction of Jerusalem was going to last 70 years. What do you think it will take for the church in America to come to such a posture? How about your church? 3. Read verse 4. Notice how Daniel addresses the Lord. What does that tell us about how Daniel thinks of God? How might that differ from how we normally address the Lord in prayer. How does this differ or how is this similar to other prayers we have studied in this series so far? 4. Read verses 5-11. What do you notice about Daniel’s confession? How inclusive is he? Why do you think he includes himself in this confession (notice he uses the pronouns ‘we’ ‘our’ and ‘us’). What does that tell you about Daniel? Do you think it is possible to corporately repent if we don’t include ourselves as part of the problem? 5. In verses 11-14 Daniel acknowledges that God’s ways are right and Israel is getting what it rightly deserves and what God always said he would do. Is there any correlation here for the Church? Do you think the United States may in any way be experiencing judgment from God? How do you see this? 6. (Verses 15-19). If we are asking God to turn from his anger and wrath (v.16) we need to be willing to turn from our corporate and communal sins. What do you think the church in the United States might need to confess and repent of? What would you put on that list? Is there any way that you, like Daniel did, could, on behalf of the Church, confess? What do you think that would accomplish? In the world? In your heart? How have you contributed to the problem and what can you do in your own life to make matters right?