Joshua: First and Best

In Joshua 7–8, we see what happens when God’s people put their desires ahead of His commands. Achan took what belonged to the Lord, and his sin brought devastating consequences to himself and the entire nation of Israel. But when sin was confronted and Israel returned to God’s instructions, they experienced victory and renewed their commitment to His Word. These chapters remind us that when we put ourselves before God, we move out of alignment with Him, but when we return to His authority, His order can be restored.


Sermon Outline
1. God get the first and best
2. We Get Ourselves in Trouble When we Take What Belongs to God
3.  What We Put Before God, Will Eventually Put Us out of Alignment With God
4. Gods Order Can be Restored

Discussion Questoins
1. Achan took what God had forbidden, even though he knew the command. Where are you most tempted to let what you want outweigh what God has said?
2. Achan's sin affected more than Achan. How have you seen one person's choices affect a family, relationship, church, or community? What does that teach us about taking sin seriously?
3. If someone examined your calendar, spending, and attention, what might they conclude about what has first place in your life? Is there anything you need to change?
4. Why is it often easier to hide sin or manage appearances than to confess what is really happening? What makes honest repentance difficult?
5. Joshua 8 shows God's people returning to His instructions and His Word. What would returning to God's order look like in a specific area of your life right now?
6. How does the gospel give us both the courage to confront our sin and the hope that failure doesn't have to define our future?