GOD WILL HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR DISOBEDIENCE. 

SCRIPTURE | Joshua 7:1,7-8,10-13,18-25 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

There is no such thing as personal sin; our sin leaves a lasting imprint on the lives of those around us—effects we may never see. This should open our eyes to the truth that we should take our sin seriously. 

KEY QUESTION 

DO YOU THINK THERE IS SUCH A THING AS PERSONAL SIN? WHAT DOES ACHAN’S SITUATION HELP YOU KNOW? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Our students are greatly influenced by the ideas that our decisions are ours alone and that we have the right to do as we please, so long as we aren’t hurting anyone else. But we won’t find these ideas anywhere in Scripture. In fact, we’ll find the opposite: we’re called to live sacrificially and do what’s good for others. Also not found in Scripture is the idea that our sin is ours alone. Again, we’ll find the opposite: our sin greatly affects those around us, sometimes for generations to come. It may not make students feel good to accept this, but we can help them see that sin always hurts someone. 

APPLICATION 

HOW COULD OUR OWN CONFESSION OF SIN AFFECT THOSE AROUND US? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: Our sin clearly affects other people, but so does our confession of it. When students are honest before God and others, they display what it looks like to live according to the Spirit. Their confession leads to healing, and it could encourage others to confess their own sins. 

FOR THE LEADER: We should consider being vulnerable about our sin too. It doesn’t mean we have to go around telling everyone about all our of sins or about all the details. We must use wisdom and consider healthy boundaries with our students, but we can model confession and repentance.