Set Apart – DNOW / Retreat Study

WHAT WE WANT STUDENTS TO LEARN: Before we can live holy lives as God has directed, we must first intentionally set our minds on living according to God’s Word rather than the world’s temptations.

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1:1-21, 1 Timothy 4:12,15 

SESSION SNAPSHOT: Countless choices are made every day, but one decision rises above all others—who we will live for. Just as God’s people once lived in exile, surrounded by a culture that did not honor God, Daniel and his friends faced the temptation to either conform or remain faithful. Their story shows that no one can simply go with the flow and still honor God. Holy living begins with a personal decision to live Set Apart, standing on conviction rather than compromise.

WHAT WE WANT STUDENTS TO LEARN: To recognize the urgency of advancing the Good News to our broken world. 

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:24-49, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 5:20 

SESSION SNAPSHOT: Once someone becomes devoted to God’s truth, they begin to see that salvation is a gift of grace, not something they earn. God has entrusted His people with the message of the Gospel, not just for personal belief, but to be shared with others for His glory. In Daniel’s life, his faithfulness and God-given wisdom opened doors for him to speak boldly in God’s name. In the same way, for us to live Set Apart means not only believing the truth, but speaking it, no matter the cost.

WHAT WE WANT STUDENTS TO LEARN: No matter how lonely or hopeless a situation may appear, God’s power is greater than human understanding.

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 3:8-30, Philippians 1:27, 2:15 

SESSION SNAPSHOT: God’s people will never fully blend into a world that does not follow Him. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to stand for what was right, they stood out from the crowd and faced real resistance. Their strength did not come from their friendship, but from their confidence in God, who was with them in the fire. Their shared courage became a powerful testimony that God’s people are not alone, even in the heat of their trials. When we stand together under Jesus’ authority, God’s power is greater than anything that tries to tear us down.

WHAT WE WANT STUDENTS TO LEARN: Having a routine of time alone with God provides strength for holy living.

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 6:1-28, Romans 12:1-2

SESSION SNAPSHOT: Prayer is how God’s people seek His mind and submit their lives to His will. Daniel’s reputation for righteousness was both respected and resisted, yet when a trap was set against him, he remained faithful, praying as he always had. God proved faithful to His servant, showing that a holy life is not sustained by human strength alone, but by continual dependence on Him. Through prayer, God shapes His people to live Set Apart for His glory.