So I decided a couple of years ago that I would provide a “test” on the books of the Bible that we covered in Bible study on Wednesdays. I determined to do this for the pedagogical reason that we learn best when we are held accountable for what we learn and too often no one holds us accountable for what we learn in the congregational setting…so I try to hold my folks accountable. I hand it out and we go over it the following week. It is a simply multiple-choice test that I never actually collect up and don’t see their answers so they don’t actually receive a “grade” of any sort from me, but I’ve found it to be somewhat effective in helping to think about the major characters, themes and theological motifs of a book as well as to discuss the things they’ve learned or still wonder about. I’d be interested to know what others think of this idea used in a congregational setting…. (Below is the “Test”)
1) What were the Hebrew names of Daniel’s three friends?
a) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
b) Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael
c) Larry, Moe and Curly
d) Nebuchadnezzar, Belteshazzar and Darius
2) Where were Daniel and his three friends taken into captivity?
a) Jerusalem
b) Susa
c) Ninevah
d) Babylon
3) Who was the king that was humbled for seven “times” because of his pride?
a) Nebuchadnezzar
b) Darius
c) Xerxes
d) Cyrus
4) What was the meaning of “mene mene tekel upharsin” written on the wall as Belshazzar was in a drunken party?
a) His days were numbered, he was measured and found wanting, and his kingdom was divided.
b) He would be given over to madness for seven “times”, repent, and be restored to his kingdom.
c) There would be four kingdoms to follow his own each represented by another beast, but the final one would be more terrible than any other.
d) An image with a head of gold, chest of silver, legs of bronze and feet with toes of iron mixed with clay would be completely destroyed by an uncut stone that would grow into a great mountain.
5) What doctrine/s does Daniel give particular emphasis to that most of the other books of the Old Testament do not do as clearly? (Choose as many as apply)
a) The Messiah
b) The Resurrection
c) The Last Things
d) The Angels
6) What are the names of the two angels specifically named in Daniel? (more than one)
a) Raphael
b) Gabriel
c) Azrael
d) Michael
7) What king wrote a chapter of Daniel and why?
a) Darius – to give glory to Daniel’s God.
b) Belshazzar – to denounce the gods of Babylon.
c) Cyrus – to show God’s sovereignty to the end.
d) Nebuchadnezzar – to give the glory to the Most High.
8) What was the name of the “little horn” in Daniel 8 and the “contemptible person” who becomes the king of the North in Daniel 11 (he ends the daily sacrifices, causes the abomination that causes desolation and breaks covenant with Israel)?
a) Antiochus IV Epiphanes
b) Ptolemy I Soter
c) Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
d) Alexander the Great
9) What was Daniel known for that separated him from others? (Choose as many as apply)
a) Wisdom
b) Ability to interpret dreams
c) Faithfulness
d) Prayers that received answers
10) What seems to be the point of Daniel?
a) That God’s people will never suffer for doing what is right.
b) That God is Lord over the entire world – every king and kingdom.
c) That God allows anyone to do whatever they want whenever they want.
d) That God speaks only to his own people.
What was your favorite portion of Daniel? Why?
What was something you learned for the first time in our study of Daniel?
What questions do you still have about Daniel?
