This lesson teaches children that hiding sin makes things worse, but telling the truth and turning back to God brings a path forward. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Sin hidden from God hurts everyone, but when we are honest with God and others, He helps us make things right.
Memory Verse
Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
(WEB)
Teach children to cover their faces with both hands when they say the first half of the verse, then slowly open their hands and spread their arms wide on the second half. Do this together three times so the motion of hiding and then opening up sticks in their minds.
The Story: Joshua 7 for Kids
God had told the people of Israel to leave the things of Jericho alone. Jericho belonged to God, and it was a special first victory for His people. But a man named Achan saw some beautiful clothing, a bar of gold, and some silver, and he wanted them. He took them and hid them under the floor of his tent.
Next, Joshua sent a small group of soldiers to attack the city of Ai. The soldiers expected an easy win, but the men of Ai chased them away, and some of the Israelite soldiers were lost. Joshua was heartbroken. He fell face down before God and asked, “Why did this happen?”
God told Joshua that someone had taken what belonged to Him and hidden it. God said that the people would have to find the one who did it. So Joshua gathered all of Israel and called out the tribes one by one, then the families, then the households. Little by little, the finger pointed to Achan.
Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please tell me the truth and give glory to God.” Achan answered, “I have sinned. I saw the gold and wanted it, and I took it. It is hidden in my tent.” When the people went to his tent, they found everything exactly where Achan said it would be. They brought it all out in front of the Lord.
Because Achan had broken God’s command and hidden his sin, there were serious consequences that the people had to face together. Afterward, the people piled up a great heap of stones over that place, and the valley was named Achor, which means trouble. It was a reminder for everyone that sin is serious and must never be hidden.
Read It Together
Joshua 7:1
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 the LORD’s anger burned against the children of Israel.
(WEB)
Point out that one person’s sin affected the whole nation. Ask the children to notice that Achan’s secret was not hidden from God, even though it was hidden from everyone else.
Joshua 7:19
Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make confession to him. Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!”
(WEB)
Show the children how Joshua asked Achan to be honest and give glory to God. Explain that telling the truth, even when it is hard, is the right way to honor God.
Joshua 7:25-26
25 Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you today.” All Israel stoned him with stones, and they burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. 26 They raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. The LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Therefore the name of that place was called “The valley of Achor” to this day.
(WEB)
Help the children see that Achan’s choice had sad results, and that the valley was remembered for a long time. Explain that God wants us to choose obedience so we do not have to live with the results of hidden sin.
Talk About It
- What did Achan see that made him want to take something that did not belong to him?
- How do you think the other Israelites felt when they learned that one person had disobeyed God?
- Why do you think Achan tried to hide what he had done?
- What is one thing you could do if you made a mistake and wanted to tell the truth?
- How does it help to know that God already knows everything we do?
Activity Ideas
Hidden Treasure Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper and crayons. Ask them to draw a tent with a small corner lifted up, showing something shiny hidden underneath. Then have them draw a second picture of the same tent with the treasure brought out into the open and given back to God. Talk about how the second picture shows what happens when we tell the truth.
Stone Pile Game
Gather a bucket of small rocks or dried beans and a few paper cups. Hide a small toy under one cup while the children close their eyes. Let them guess under which cup it is hidden, then talk about how hidden things eventually come to light. End by stacking the rocks together as a reminder of the stone heap in the story.
Honest Heart Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a small hole punch with yarn. Have each child write or draw one way they can be honest this week, such as telling a parent about a broken dish or admitting a mistake to a friend. Punch a hole in the corner, tie on the yarn, and let them take it home as a reminder to keep their hearts honest before God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that sin is never private in its effects, because it touches the whole community and damages our relationship with God. It also reveals that God sees what is hidden and calls His people to confession and restored obedience. The story points forward to the grace of God, who welcomes honest hearts.
Be careful not to suggest that every hardship in a child’s life is a direct punishment for some hidden sin, since the book of Joshua itself is a specific historical event with unique circumstances. Keep the focus on honesty, obedience, and God’s faithfulness rather than on fear of consequences.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for knowing everything about us. Help us to be honest with You and with others, even when it feels hard. When we make mistakes, help us to tell the truth and turn back to You. Thank You that You always help us make things right. Amen.
