Discussion Questions: Achan, Covetousness, and the Enemy Within

Hello! I'd be happy to help you generate some thought-provoking questions for your discussion this week. The story of Achan and the fall of Ai offers incredible lessons on sin, community, and divine justice 😇.

Here are a dozen interesting and engaging discussion questions based on "The Enemy Within":

Discussion Questions: The Enemy Within

1. The Lord stated that Achan had not only "sinned" but had also "stolen and dissembled" (lied) about it. Considering the concept of sin as law transgression, how does concealing a sin amplify the original transgression, and what spiritual consequences does dissembling bring to the individual and the community? Joshua 7:118LtMs, Lt 13, 1893, par. 20+1.

2. Achan's fate was tied to his entire family (sons and daughters, plus livestock) because of the dangerous influence of his character. Why is individual sin often destructive to the whole household, and how does this severity illustrate God’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption within His covenant people? Joshua 7:249LtMs, Ms 13, 1894, par. 8+1.

3. The Lord was silent and withdrew His presence until the "accursed thing" was removed from the camp, causing Israel's defeat. What internal 'accursed things' (like selfishness, materialism, or jealousy) might be hindering the modern church from experiencing the manifest power and presence of God in its outreach efforts?5LtMs, Ms 8a, 1888, par. 52+2.

4. Joshua was commanded to "Give glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession to Him," a phrase related to thanksgiving and vindicating God’s justice. In what ways does confessing our sins actually give glory to God rather than diminish us in the eyes of others? Joshua 7:19+1ST May 5, 1881, par. 1.

5. Achan’s confession only came after the divine lot pointed him out, showing a lack of true repentance. How can we test the sincerity of our own confessions to ensure they are born of genuine contrition rather than simply a desire to escape negative consequences?EP 354.1+2.

6. Achan saw the garment and the gold, then coveted, then took them, demonstrating that covetousness is the root of the practical sin (theft/idolatry) Joshua 7:21PP 496.2. What daily disciplines are necessary to starve covetousness to death, making giving and benevolence a constant habit rather than an occasional act?AH 371.1+1.

7. God permitted the search for the guilty party (tribe, family, household) to drag out, creating a period of intense public suspense and humiliation for all of Israel. What was the divine purpose in making the entire nation responsible and having them participate in this solemn search and judgment?EP 351.2+2.

8. Joshua initially lamented that the defeat would cause the pagan nations to think God was weak and destroy Israel’s name. How does our obedience, and the resulting success (or failure) of the church, directly impact God’s reputation and honor in the eyes of a watching, skeptical world? Joshua 7:911LtMs, Lt 98b, 1896, par. 8+1.

9. The victory at Ai followed God's specific tactical instructions, turning the defeat into a door of hope (Achor). How does God use our past spiritual failures or defeats (once confessed and cleansed) to teach us reliance and set the stage for future victories achieved purely through obedience? Hosea 2:1517LtMs, Ms 98, 1902, par. 32+1.

10. The contrast between Achan (who, being tempted, hid the accursed thing and died) and Rahab (who, being tempted, chose faith, hid the spies, and lived) is stark. What does this contrast teach us about the power of belief versus the danger of spiritual inheritance without heart change? Joshua 2:1-13RH March 20, 1888, par. 3.

11. The realization that God knows our thoughts afar off and is acquainted with all our ways is meant to be a comfort for the righteous and a terror for the wicked Jeremiah 17:10+1ARSH August 11, 1863, page 83.10. How can this truth be transformed from a fearful awareness into a source of strength and motivation to pursue holiness?3BC 1150.2.

12. The lesson emphasizes that genuine happiness is found not in accumulating possessions but in "constant, self-denying benevolence" and useful lives. If life does not consist in the abundance of possessions, what practical measure, besides money, should we use to assess the true success and value of our lives? Luke 12:15HR July 1, 1873, par. 4+1.

I hope these questions help inspire a fruitful and deep discussion for your class! Let me know if you need help exploring a specific theme further 📖.