Daniel 8: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Daniel 8 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, Daniel has a vision in Susa, by the river Ulai (vv. 1-2). He sees a ram with two horns, one higher than the other, pushing in various directions (vv.

Key verse

“He said to me, “To two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary will be cleansed.”
Daniel 8:14 (WEB)

Outline

Daniel 8:1–2 Daniel's Vision Begins
Daniel 8:3–8 The Ram and the Goat
Daniel 8:9–12 The Rise of the Little Horn
Daniel 8:13–14 Question about the Vision
Daniel 8:15–19 Gabriel's Interpretation
Daniel 8:20–25 Identification of the Symbols
Daniel 8:26–27 The Vision's Conclusion

Discussion questions

In v8, what happens to the male goat after it becomes strong?
What is the response of Daniel in v27 after seeing the vision?
The little horn in v9: how does it grow great, and what does this signify?
In v24, what does it mean for the king's power to be 'not by his own power'?
When have you felt like the 'little horn' in v9, growing in power but causing distress?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Daniel 8: Daniel 11, Daniel 7, Daniel 10.

Before next time: read Daniel 9.