This lesson teaches children that hiding sin does not hide it from God, and that obeying God matters even when nobody is watching. It suits ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God sees everything we do, and when we hide wrong choices, we are still responsible to tell the truth and do what is right.
Memory Verse
Joshua 7:11
Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff.
(WEB)
Cup both hands together like you are holding a secret, then slowly open them up, showing the idea that nothing stays hidden from God. Say the verse out loud with the motion each time.
The Story: Joshua 7 for Kids
God had told the people of Israel that the city of Jericho belonged to him, and that they were not to take anything that had been set apart for God. A man named Achan saw some beautiful things and wanted them for himself. He took some of the silver and gold and a fine robe, and he hid them in the ground inside his tent. Nobody else knew what he had done.
Joshua sent some men to the next city, called Ai, to look at it. They came back and said, “Don’t send everyone, just send a few thousand men.” But when the army went up, the men of Ai chased them away, and many Israelites were hurt. Joshua was so sad that he tore his clothes and fell on his face before the Lord.
God said to Joshua, “Get up! Israel has sinned. They have taken things that were not theirs, and they have hidden them.” God told Joshua how to find the one who had done it. The people were gathered by their tribes, then by their families, then one man at a time.
At last, Achan was found. Joshua said to him, “My son, please tell me the truth.” Achan answered, “I have sinned. I saw the robe and the silver and the gold, and I wanted them, so I took them and hid them in my tent.” Joshua sent men, and they found everything exactly where Achan said it was.
Because Achan had disobeyed God and brought trouble on the whole nation, the people gathered at a valley and dealt with what Achan had done. The place was called the Valley of Achor, which means trouble. God was not pleased with sin, but the story also shows that God is always able to see the truth clearly.
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 secret choice affected the whole nation. Ask children how a single choice can affect a family, a class, or a team.
Joshua 7:20-21
20 Achan answered Joshua, and said, “I have truly sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done. 21 When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.”
(WEB)
Show how Achan finally told the truth, even though it was hard. Point out the words “I have truly sinned,” and talk about why owning up to a mistake matters.
Joshua 7:22-23
22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent. Behold, it was hidden in his tent, with the silver under it. 23 They took them from the middle of the tent, and brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel. They laid them down before the LORD.
(WEB)
Help children see that God’s word proved true. What Achan said was exactly where the things were found, showing that nothing could stay hidden from the Lord.
Talk About It
- What did Achan see that made him want something that did not belong to him?
- Why do you think Achan decided to hide what he had taken?
- How did the people feel when they lost the battle, and why did Joshua feel so upset?
- What is a good thing you can do when you have made a mistake and want to fix it?
- How does it help you to know that God always sees what we do?
Activity Ideas
Hidden Treasure Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a folded sheet of paper for each child. Have children draw a tent with a small pile of treasure hidden under the floor, then draw a bright eye peeking through the tent flap. Talk about how God can see what is hidden, and let each child share one way they can choose to be honest this week.
Follow the Leader Obey Game
Play a version of Simon Says where you give instructions that are fun to follow, such as hopping or clapping, but the children must only do what you say when you start with “God says.” Pause the game for a moment and ask children why it matters to listen carefully and obey when someone you trust gives directions.
Honest Heart Take-Home Card
Cut index cards in half and give one to each child. Have them write or draw one thing they want to do this week to be honest and obey God, such as telling the truth about a broken toy. Let them place the card on the fridge or by their bed so the family can pray about it together during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that sin affects more than the individual who commits it, because Achan’s secret brought defeat and sorrow on the whole nation. It also shows God’s holiness and justice, and that confession and truthfulness are the right response when we are found out. The story is serious, but it also points to the God who sees clearly and wants his people to walk in faithfulness.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will punish every small mistake with a sudden disaster, since that can create fear rather than trust. Instead, emphasize that God loves his people, that honesty is the right path, and that confessing wrong brings us back toward him.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you that you see everything we do and that nothing is hidden from you. Help us to tell the truth, to obey you even when no one is watching, and to bring our mistakes to you honestly. Thank you that you always love us and are ready to help us make things right. Amen.
