Daniel 5: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Daniel 5 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Belshazzar made a great feast for a thousand lords and drank wine with them (vv. 1-4). During the feast, he ordered the gold and silver vessels from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought in.

Key verse

“This is the writing that was inscribed: ‘MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN.’
Daniel 5:25 (WEB)

Outline

Daniel 5:1–4 Belshazzar's Feast
Daniel 5:5–12 The Mysterious Writing
Daniel 5:13–16 Daniel's Introduction
Daniel 5:17–24 Daniel's Rebuke
Daniel 5:25–31 The Interpretation and Fall

Discussion questions

In v2, what does Belshazzar command regarding the vessels from the temple?
What happens in v5 when Belshazzar is drinking with his lords?
In vv. 22-23, why does Daniel say Belshazzar has not humbled his heart?
In v26, why does Daniel explain that God has counted Belshazzar's kingdom?
When have you acted carelessly like Belshazzar, ignoring consequences despite knowing better?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Daniel 5: Daniel 4, Daniel 2, Daniel 6.

Before next time: read Daniel 6.