As for Me and My House
"Choose this day whom you will serve"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
Near the end of his life, Joshua gathered all Israel at Shechem and told them everything God had done, from calling Abraham to giving them the land. Then he said, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve," and added, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!" The people promised to serve the LORD, and Joshua set up a stone as a witness to their covenant.
Where it is in the Bible: Joshua 24:1-28
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Joshua: The leader who took Moses's place. He led Israel into the promised land. Now he is old.
- The tribes of Israel: All of God's people, with their leaders, elders, and judges.
- The LORD: God. LORD in capital letters stands for God's personal name. Jewish readers traditionally don't say it aloud, out of respect.
Setting
- Shechem, a city in the hills of the promised land. Abraham once built an altar there (Genesis 12:6-7).
When
- Near the end of Joshua's life, more than 3,000 years ago.
Before the Story
Joshua led God's people into the land. They crossed the Jordan River on dry ground and saw the walls of Jericho fall (3:17, 6:20).
Each tribe received its land. God kept his promise to Abraham (21:43-45).
But the people were surrounded by other gods. Some still had idols of their own.
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Remember | 24:1-13 | Joshua tells everything God has done |
| 2. Choose this day | 24:14-15 | Joshua asks the people to choose |
| 3. "We will serve the LORD" | 24:16-24 | The people answer |
| 4. A stone of witness | 24:25-28 | Joshua makes a covenant |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 4Remember
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel at Shechem.
He told them what God says. Long ago, Abraham's family worshiped other gods, beyond the Euphrates River.
But God called Abraham and gave him Isaac. Isaac had Jacob. Jacob's family went down to Egypt.
God sent Moses, brought them out of Egypt, and saved them at the sea.
God led them through the desert and gave them victory.
"So I gave you a land on which you did not toil and cities that you did not build" (24:13). Everything they had was a gift.
Scene 2 of 4Choose This Day
"Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth" (24:14).
Joshua told them to throw away the false gods.
"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (24:15).
The old gods of their ancestors? The gods of the people around them?
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!" (24:15).
Scene 3 of 4"We Will Serve the LORD"
The people answered, "Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods!" (24:16).
God had rescued them and protected them. "We too will serve the LORD, because He is our God!" (24:18).
Joshua warned them: God is holy. Serving him is serious.
"No!" replied the people. "We will serve the LORD!" (24:21).
"Get rid of the foreign gods among you and incline your hearts to the LORD" (24:23).
Scene 4 of 4A Stone of Witness
That day, Joshua made a covenant with the people.
He wrote it down and set up a large stone under an oak tree.
The stone would be a reminder of the promise they made.
Then Joshua sent everyone home.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "Cities that you did not build" (24:13) | Everything they had was God's gift. |
| "Serve Him in sincerity and truth" (24:14) | Serve God honestly, with your whole heart. |
| "Choose for yourselves this day" (24:15) | Joshua asked them to decide. |
| "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!" (24:15) | Joshua's family had decided. |
| "Because He is our God" (24:18) | They chose God because of what he had done. |
| "Incline your hearts to the LORD" (24:23) | Turn your heart toward God. |
Back Then
Shechem was an important place. God first promised the land to Abraham there (Genesis 12:6-7).
Covenants were often marked with stones. A stone stayed as a witness long after the people were gone.
Many families hang "As for me and my house" on their walls, as a sign of their faith.
Literal Reader Alert
Did the people keep their promise? Not always. The book of Judges tells how they turned to other gods again and again. God kept calling them back.
Joshua said, "You are not able to serve the LORD." What? Joshua warned them that serving God isn't easy. No one does it perfectly. That's why we need God's forgiveness.
Can I choose God? Lutherans teach that faith is God's gift. He works in us to believe. Like the Israelites, we respond to what God has already done.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Joshua | Determined | He had made his choice (24:15) |
| The people | Grateful | They remembered all God did (24:17) |
| The people | Committed | They promised to serve the LORD (24:24) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What do you want your home to be like? Tap one.
A home that serves God
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Remember
Joshua started by remembering what God did. What has God done for you?
Other gods
What competes with God in your life?
I fall short
Israel did too. God kept calling them back.
You Might Have Heard
"Faith is something you inherit. You don't really choose."
What's true: Faith is often passed down in families.
What the story is mainly about: Joshua told the story of everything God had done. Then he said, "Choose this day." Faith responds to God's gifts. Every person, and every family, faces that choice.
Where Jesus is: Jesus's name in Hebrew is the same as Joshua's: "The LORD saves." Jesus leads his people into a better promised land.
Good News
Everything the people had was a gift from God.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!" (24:15).
God chose us first. In Jesus, he gives us everything. We serve him not to earn his love, but because he is our God.
Joshua reminded the people of everything God had given them, then said, "Choose this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!"
Big Idea
Joshua reminded Israel of all God had done and told them to choose whom they would serve. "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!"
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther wanted every home to be a little church, where parents teach their children God's word and pray together. He wrote the Small Catechism for families.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads Joshua 24:1-2a and 14-18 in late August (Lectionary 21), next to Peter saying, "Lord, to whom would we go?" In Year A, it is read in November (Lectionary 32).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!
How did that feel?
You finished As for Me and My House.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 21 Year BFirst reading, Joshua 24:1–2a, 14–18
For a newsletter or sermon notes
As for Me and My House, explained in plain words. At the end of his life, Joshua asks God's people to choose. About 8 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/as-for-me-and-my-house/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church