Big Idea

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Ice Breaker

Share with the group one of the really good choices you have made in life and one of the really bad choices you have made.

Next Step

Discuss :: Achan coveted the treasures of Jericho, so he disobeyed God and hid the treasures under his tent. What are you hiding under your tent? What pursuits? What habits?

Do :: Confess to someone trustworthy what you are hiding under your tent. This is precisely what Achan refused to do.

Additional Discussion Questions

Reflect together on what helps you to make good choices in life. Share your thoughts with the group. This is very important: listen carefully to each group member so that you can learn from one another. Consider creating a group list and sending it to the group during the week–or ask a volunteer from the group to do this. Ask group members to add more thoughts to the list during the week. Most likely some group members will speak of how the small group gives strength and courage to their christian journey. Think about how you could invite the group to pause and celebrate this.
Each member is having an impact in one another’s lives for the gospel–that’s a big deal.

Group leaders :: this is a great time for you to hear the heart of Jesus saying “Thank you!” to you for leading this group. Your time, prayer and investment into your group is a source of life for your group members! Group members: consider how you can express encouragement to your group leaders.
Achan’s sin is a symbol of all that man loves about himself and man’s determination to do life without God. Reflect together on what contributes to making poor choices in your life. Share your thoughts with the group.

Take time to think about Achan, who buried some treasures under his tent. Think about how he may have lived in the weeks, months, and even years leading up to this choice.
Do you need to make any adjustments to the current course of your life’s journey? Maybe it’s not a particular sin, but more the overall direction of your life. All of us need to be sober-minded in this regard. Not one of us are immune to a sin such as Achan’s.
Private sin has public implications. One example of this is gossip. Gossip affects the community; I plant a seed of distrust. Gossip also encourages others in the community to gossip as well. A second example would be pornorgraphy; it seems so private, but each time we do it it shapes our mind and our behavior. It will shape how we view women and how we view relationships. It also connects us to a wicked industry which includes not only pornography but also sex trafficking.

Consider humbling ourselves together as a group before the Lord in prayer. Confess to Him together the ways you have privately sinned. Thank Him for His mercy and enjoy his mercy. Gratitude for His love and acceptance in spite of our sin draws us closer to Him.

Notes & Quotes

God is not after an outward show–He’s after our heart.

Don’t let a cloud of mystery and limited knowledge regarding the harsh judgments of the Old Testament blind you from the need for repentance. Struggle, but don’t sit in judgment of God.