Joshua 7: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Joshua 7 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The children of Israel committed a trespass by taking devoted things. Achan, from the tribe of Judah, took some of these items. Yahweh's anger burned against Israel.

Key verse

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against the children of Israel.”
Joshua 7:1 (WEB)

Outline

Joshua 7:1–4 Israel's Trespass and Defeat
Joshua 7:5–9 Joshua's Grief and Plea
Joshua 7:10–13 God's Revelation of Sin
Joshua 7:14–19 Achan Identified
Joshua 7:20–23 Achan's Confession
Joshua 7:24–26 Consequences of Disobedience

Discussion questions

In v1, what specific action did Achan take that caused Yahweh's anger?
What does Joshua do in v6 when he learns about the defeat at Ai?
In vv. 10-12, why does Yahweh emphasize the need to remove the 'devoted thing' from Israel?
Achan's confession in v21 mentions 'coveted' items; how does this relate to the overall theme of sin?
When have you seen one person's choice, like Achan's in v21, affect a larger group?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Joshua 7: Joshua 6, Joshua 22, Numbers 14.

Before next time: read Joshua 8.