The Choice is Yours: Hide or Heal

OPENER

Start the group by playing two truths and a lie. Explain how easy it is to hide the truth from other people.

READ

Read Joshua 7:19-22. Read it aloud yourself, or ask someone who is a confident reader. Ask the others to listen carefully and follow along.

DISCUSS

1. Describe what is happening in Joshua 7. What did Achan do wrong? *They weren't supposed to take anything in the destruction of Jericho (Joshua 6:18). Achan took something and hid it.

2. Ever since Adam hid from God in the garden of Eden, we have been trying to hide our sin. What are some ways we are tempted to hide? *(ie secrets, regrets, decisions, etc.)

3. Achan attempted to hide his sin from God and others and it was destructive. How can hiding be dangerous in our life?

4. In the message, we talked about how "hiding seems harmless". Why do you think we are tempted to believe this?

5. Achan's sin had an effect on the people of Israel (The Israelites lost the battle of Ai, Achan lost his family etc.) Recall a time when your sin affected more than just yourself. How might considering the impact of your actions help you to obey God and make better choices in the future?

READ

Read 1 John 1:7-9 and Psalm 32:3-5. Read it aloud yourself, or ask someone who is a confident reader. Ask the others to listen carefully and follow along.

DISCUSS

1. Read Psalm 32:3-5: What happens to David as a result of hiding? What does God do when we confess our sin to him?
2. Read 1 John 1:9: Why do you think the confession of our sins is important? Why can’t Jesus just cover our mistakes regardless of whether or not we confess? *Think about this question ahead of time.

Is there a sin in your life that you have been hiding and need to confess? Spend time praying with each other.