Anchor My Faith

God’s Justice, Human Responsibility, and Faithful Stewardship

Old Testament Reading

Joshua 7:16–9:2 — Judgment on Achan and Covenant Expansion through Conflict

Overview:
This passage begins with the exposure and judgment of Achan’s sin, demonstrating that hidden disobedience brings communal consequences. After Israel purges the sin, God restores His favor, leading to victory over Ai. Joshua then builds an altar and renews the covenant, reading the Law before all Israel. The section concludes with surrounding nations preparing to unite against Israel, highlighting the growing recognition of God’s power and the coming challenges.

Theological Themes:
• The seriousness of sin and its communal impact
• Restoration through obedience and covenant renewal
• God’s faithfulness in granting victory when His people walk rightly

Key Verse:
Joshua 7:20 – “Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why was Achan’s sin judged so severely?
   Answer: Achan’s sin was a direct violation of God’s command and represented rebellion against God’s holiness. Because Israel functioned as a covenant community, his sin affected the entire nation, showing that disobedience to God is never isolated but has broader consequences.
2. What changed between Israel’s defeat and their victory at Ai?
   Answer: The removal of sin from the camp restored God’s presence and favor. Once Israel dealt with the disobedience and returned to obedience, God granted them success, demonstrating that victory depends on alignment with God’s will.
3. What is the significance of Joshua reading the Law to all Israel?
   Answer: It reaffirmed the covenant relationship between God and His people. Public reading ensured that everyone understood God’s commands, emphasizing that obedience is foundational to their identity and success.

New Testament Reading

Luke 16:1–18 — The Parable of the Unjust Steward and Faithfulness in Wealth

Overview:
Jesus teaches through the parable of a dishonest manager who acts shrewdly to secure his future, highlighting the importance of wise stewardship. He contrasts worldly shrewdness with spiritual faithfulness, urging His followers to be trustworthy in both small and great matters. Jesus warns against serving both God and money and rebukes the Pharisees for their love of wealth. He concludes with teachings on the enduring nature of the Law and the seriousness of divorce.

Theological Themes:
• Stewardship and accountability before God
• The danger of loving money over God
• Faithfulness in small things as a test of true character

Key Verse:
Luke 16:10 – “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What lesson does the parable of the unjust steward teach?
   Answer: It teaches the importance of using resources wisely and with foresight. While the steward’s dishonesty is not commended, his shrewdness in preparing for the future is used to illustrate how believers should thoughtfully invest in eternal matters.
2. Why does Jesus warn about serving both God and money?
   Answer: Because money can easily become a rival master. Devotion to wealth can lead to misplaced priorities, while true discipleship requires wholehearted allegiance to God alone.
3. How does faithfulness in small things relate to greater responsibility?
   Answer: Small acts of faithfulness reveal a person’s character. God entrusts greater responsibilities to those who prove trustworthy in lesser matters, showing that integrity is consistent regardless of scale.

Psalms Reading

Psalm 82:1–8 — God the Righteous Judge over Unjust Rulers

Overview:
This psalm portrays God standing in divine judgment over earthly rulers who have failed to uphold justice. He rebukes them for showing partiality and neglecting the weak and needy. Though they are called “gods” due to their authority, they will die like men because of their injustice. The psalm concludes with a call for God to arise and judge the earth, affirming His ultimate authority over all nations.

Theological Themes:
• God’s sovereignty as the ultimate judge
• The responsibility of leaders to uphold justice
• The certainty of divine accountability

Key Verse:
Psalm 82:3 – “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Who are the “gods” addressed in this psalm?
   Answer: They are human rulers or judges given authority to govern. The term reflects their role as representatives of God’s justice, though they are accountable to Him for how they exercise that authority.
2. What was the failure of these rulers?
   Answer: They showed partiality to the wicked and neglected the vulnerable. Instead of reflecting God’s justice, they abused their authority, leading to injustice and societal harm.
3. What hope does the psalm offer?
   Answer: It assures that God will ultimately judge all injustice. Even when earthly leaders fail, God’s righteous rule will prevail over all nations.

Proverbs Reading

Proverbs 13:2–3 — The Power of Words and Self-Control

Overview:
These proverbs emphasize the connection between speech and life outcomes. Wise words bring good results, while reckless or deceitful speech leads to harm and violence. Guarding one’s mouth is presented as a pathway to preserving life, while careless speech results in destruction, highlighting the importance of self-control and wisdom in communication.

Theological Themes:
• The moral power of speech
• Wisdom expressed through self-control
• Consequences of righteous vs. reckless living

Key Verse:
Proverbs 13:3 – “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. How do words impact a person’s life according to this passage?
   Answer: Words can produce good or harm depending on how they are used. Wise and controlled speech leads to positive outcomes, while careless or harmful words can bring trouble and destruction.
2. What does it mean to guard one’s mouth?
   Answer: It means exercising discipline and wisdom in what one says, speaking thoughtfully, avoiding harmful or reckless speech, and aligning words with truth and righteousness.
3. Why is self-control in speech so important?
   Answer: Speech reflects the heart and influences relationships and outcomes. Self-control demonstrates wisdom and protects a person from unnecessary conflict and consequences.