See It Coming

KEY VERSES:

• Daniel 5:1–30
• 2 Samuel 11:1
• Proverbs 21:2–3
• James 4:17
• 1 Corinthians 3:17
• 1 Corinthians 6:19
• Ephesians 1:4
• Romans 3:23
• Romans 6:23
• Romans 10:9–10
• 2 Peter 3:9

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Context: Daniel 5 introduces King Belshazzar, who throws a wild party while enemies close in (Daniel 5:1-4).
• The Setup: Belshazzar's downfall begins with distraction, pride, and neglect of responsibility.
• Holy vs. Common: He disrespects holy temple items, treating them like ordinary party cups (Daniel 5:2-4).
• God Shows Up: A mysterious hand writes on the wall—literal “writing on the wall” moment (Daniel 5:5).
• Enter Daniel: Daniel is called to interpret the writing, offering truth when no one else can (Daniel 5:10-17).
• The Verdict: Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin – “Your days are numbered, you’ve been weighed and found wanting, your kingdom is divided” (Daniel 5:25-28).
• The Consequence: Belshazzar is killed that very night—too late to repent (Daniel 5:30).
• The Application: Don’t wait until the wall writes it out—deal with the heart issues now (Romans 10:9-10, Proverbs 21:2).

TALK ABOUT IT:

1. Where in your life do you see warning signs that you might be ignoring?
2. What does it mean to treat something God calls holy as common, and where might that be happening in your life?
3. How can pride quietly sneak into our hearts, and what can we do to catch it early?
4. Why do you think God allowed Belshazzar to fall so suddenly—what’s the lesson for us?
5. What does “being weighed and found wanting” mean to you?
6. How can we shift from worshiping created things to worshiping the Creator?
7. How would your life look different if you truly believed your days were numbered?

APPLY IT:

• Do a “setup check”—are there warning signs you're ignoring in your relationships, habits, or spiritual life?
• Be where God has called you to be, and don’t let comfort distract you from purpose.
• Treat sacred things (your faith, your body, your relationships) as holy, not casual.
• Watch out for pride—don’t worship what you’ve built more than the God who gave it.
• Make time to regularly ask God to examine your heart (Psalm 139:23-24).
• Make your faith personal—don’t rely on tradition or proximity to faith, give your heart fully to God.