Reflection Questions: Fatherhood Before the Eyes of the All-Seeing God (Father’s Day 2024)
by Pastor Gene
- What motivated Achan to disobey the Lord’s ban on the ‘devoted things’ (Josh.7:1-25)? How did his thoughts and actions conspire toward the downfall of his family? How can the thoughts or actions of a mom or dad lead to the destruction of his or her family? Where in this story did God give Achan opportunities for repentance – a ‘space for grace’? What can we deduce from Deut. 24:16 about the fact that Achan’s children were killed with him?
- Achan’s sin was intentional. I’ve argued that these are the most serious kinds of sin. Do you agree? Why or why not? Discuss Gal. 6:7-8 in this context. This passage was written to believers. So, what is Paul promising when he mentions “corruption” and “eternal life” in verse 8?
- Read and discuss Hebrews 10:26-27, a passage which confuses many believers. This passage is clearly addressed to those who are saved. Since a truly born-again man or woman can never be lost again, this passage is clearly not promising ‘hell,’ but, rather, a divine discipline which it calls ‘a fury of fire’ which will consume God’s adversaries. But can a believer make him/herself God’s enemy (James 4:4; Rom. 8:7-8). What does the writer mean by saying if “we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins”? Why should those who do so actually “expect” God’s discipline – and do so ‘fearfully’? Consider 1 John 5:16 in light of this concept. Far from being punitive or retaliatory, God’s discipline is always an act of love and grace. Read and discuss Hebrews 12:5-11 in this context, especially v.11.
- Achan’s sin was deliberate, intentional and devastating. But David’s was too (2 Sam. 11:3-4). So why did David remain the ‘apple of God’s eye’ (Psa. 17:8) while Achan ended up beneath a pile of stones (Josh. 7:25)? See Psa. 32:3-6a, 19:12b-13a, 51:1-12).
- Consider these wonderful promises of God: Num. 32:23, 1 Cor. 10:11, and Prov. 28:13-14. Discuss the process of contrition (2 Cor. 7:9-10, 2 Sam. 12:13), confession (1 John 1:9, Psa. 32:5) and repentance (Rev. 2:4–5, 3:19) as the only way to avoid God’s discipline in time. Why are each of these three components of repentance important?
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