In week two of our bible study, Living Right Side Up in an Upside Down World, Nicole walks through Daniel 2—Nebuchadnezzar’s disturbing dream, the failure of Babylon’s “wise men,” and Daniel’s prayerful response. The chapter unveils a core biblical truth: earthly kingdoms crumble, but God’s kingdom endures. Learn how to respond to a crisis like Daniel, place your trust in what lasts, and live for the unshakable kingdom.

Get Our Free Daniel Study Guide (15 minutes/day): nicoleunice.com/daniel

What We Cover -

• Why Nebuchadnezzar demanded both the dream and its interpretation—and what that reveals about fear and power.

• How Daniel models holy courage: don’t panic—pray, gather your people, seek God.

• The big picture: God rules history; earthly empires are temporary.

• How Christ is the cornerstone of a different kind of kingdom that will never be shaken.

Key Bible Study Scriptures

• Daniel 2 (the dream, the statue, and God’s revelation)

• Isaiah 40 (nations are a drop in a bucket before God)

• Psalm 2 (earthly rulers rage; God reigns)

• Luke 20:17; 1 Peter 2:6–7 (Christ the cornerstone)

• James 1:5 (ask for wisdom)

Big Takeaways

1. God rules history—even when rulers rage or cultures shift.

2. Earthly kingdoms are temporary—don’t anchor your identity to what won’t last.

3. Crisis is a cue for prayer—Daniel gathers friends and seeks God’s wisdom.

4. Live for the unshakable kingdom—align loyalties, time, and decisions with Jesus’ reign.

This Week's Reflection Questions

1. Where am I subtly placing trust in temporary kingdoms (success, security, institutions, relationships)?

2. When a crisis hits—big or small—do I panic or pray? What one step can shift me toward Daniel’s pattern this week?

3. In what practical ways can I seek first the Kingdom in my work, home, and relationships right now?

Resources & Next Steps:

• Free Daniel Study Guide (15 minutes/day): nicoleunice.com/daniel

• Share this episode with a friend or small group and study Daniel together.

Connect with Nicole:

• Weekly newsletter: nicoleunice.com/realtalk

• Instagram & Facebook: @nicoleunice

YouTube Bonus: A quick dive on how to pray for wisdom like Daniel—and what to do while you wait for God’s answer. https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Nicole begins the new bible study series Living Right Side Up in an Upside Down World with Daniel Chapter 1. Set in Babylon after God’s people are taken into exile, this story introduces Daniel and his friends as they resist assimilation into a foreign culture. By choosing faithfulness—even in something as simple as food—God equips them with wisdom and influence.

Together, we’ll learn how to live faithfully in a culture that often presses us to conform, and how exile never has the last word when God is sovereign.

What We Cover -

• Why Daniel and his friends refused the king’s food and what it teaches about holy resistance.

• How exile is never the end of the story—God works even in scattering.

• Why respectful courage matters when culture pressures us to assimilate.

• How God honors faithfulness with His presence and provision.

Key Scriptures -

• Daniel 1 – Daniel’s faithfulness in Babylon.

• Jeremiah 29:4–7 – God’s call to seek the good of the city, even in exile.

• Exodus (background) – God’s promise to set His people apart.

This Week's Reflection Questions:

1. Where do you feel pressure to assimilate to “Babylon” in your own life?

2. What might holy resistance look like for you this week?

3. How can you seek the good of your city without losing your identity in Christ?

Resources & Next Steps

• Get the FREE Daniel Study Guide, as well as Weekly Notes and Bonus Materials: nicoleunice.com/daniel

• Share this episode with a friend or group and journey through Daniel together.

• Instagram: @nicoleunice

Bonus on YouTube: What does a Daniel Fast mean today? Watch the extended teaching on YouTube for deeper context. https://www.youtube.com/nicoleunice

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Study Daniel with us this fall! If you haven't already, head over to https://www.nicoleunice.com/daniel! The study is FREE and when you sign up, you'll get a free downloadable guide, weekly reflections, and exclusive bonus video content to help you walk through the study.

Be sure to subscribe to Nicole's YouTube Channel for exclusive bonus content! https://www.youtube.com/@NicoleUnice

Why Study the Book of Daniel?
What does it look like to live with courage, clarity, and conviction when everything around you feels uncertain?

The book of Daniel tells the story of faith under fire—of ordinary people who stayed rooted in God while living in a culture that didn’t share their values. From exile in Babylon to lion’s dens and prophetic dreams, Daniel shows us that small acts of faith can anchor us in uncertain times.

This 12-week journey will help you discover how to live right side up in an upside-down world—with integrity, trust, and unshakable hope.

What You'll Discover

• Practical tools to stay grounded in your faith
  Living with conviction even in uncertainty
  Understanding prayer and spiritual resilience
  Confidence in God’s control—no matter what’s happening around you

Alive Method and the Big Picture of Daniel

Starting next week, Nicole will launch a 12-week study through Daniel—a book of courageous faith in a hostile culture (chs. 1–6) and sweeping prophecy about kingdoms and God’s eternal rule (chs. 7–12). In this intro, she explains why Daniel matters now, how to navigate history + apocalyptic sections, and the simple four-question Alive Method we’ll use each week:

1. What does it say?
2. What’s the backstory?
3. What does it mean (timeless truth)?
4. What does it mean for me (application)?

Next Steps

• Subscribe on YouTube and your favorite podcast app (Apple | Spotify)

• Grab the study guide so you’re set for Daniel 1 next week.

• Invite a friend or group to journey through Daniel with you!

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.