Celebration
Next Gen Sunday

Celebrate the Call to Purpose

Sunday August 10, 2025 - Pastor Margareth Valui

Psalm 126:3

Theme Verse: Psalm 126:3 - "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad."

Big Idea: Celebrate the rise of a new generation discovering their God-given purpose through mentoring, discipleship, and resilient faith like Daniel and his friends.

1. PREPARATIONS: Daniel and His Friends Obey God

4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

• Q. How has God prepared you to be where you are today?
• Q. How are you being trained for the appointment God has given you?
• Q. How are you living intentionally for God's kingdom?

2. SET-APART

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.

• Q. What does it mean to be 'set apart' in your workplace or environment?
• Q. Have you had to make a decision to say no to something because it didn't align with your faith?
• Q. Daniel didn't walk alone-he had his circle. Who's in your circle that encourages you to stand strong in faith and purpose?

3. SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

12 "Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants." 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

• Q. Have you ever been tested? What do you need to give up or cast off?

Spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting are not about restriction, they are about formation. God uses these practices to test, shape, and strengthen us for His purposes.

19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.

• Q. What happened at the end of a fast? What are the results of being set apart?
• Q. What spiritual habits would you like to practice this season?