What is Come Follow Me about this week?

Come Follow Me this week covers Joshua 1–8; 23–24 for May 18–24. The main theme is learning courage and covenant loyalty as Israel crosses the Jordan, faces Jericho, and renews their commitment to the Lord through Joshua’s final counsel.

What chapters are in Come Follow Me this week?

The reading assignment includes Joshua chapters 1 through 8, plus Joshua 23 and 24. Many families focus on Joshua 1:8–9, Joshua 3:5, and Joshua 24:15 as anchor verses.

How do I teach Joshua 1–8 to Primary children?

Keep the focus on one clear message, like “The Lord is with us” from Joshua 1:9. Use simple object lessons, such as building “Jericho walls” with blocks, and invite children to share one place they can be brave this week, like school or home.

Why did the Jordan River part in Joshua 3?

Joshua taught the people to prepare spiritually first, “Sanctify yourselves” (Joshua 3:5). The priests also stepped into the water before it parted (Joshua 3:13, 15), which shows a pattern of faith followed by the Lord making a way.

What does 'choose you this day' mean in Joshua 24:15?

Joshua 24:15 is a call to make discipleship a present decision, not a vague intention. Joshua models family leadership by saying, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” which can guide choices about priorities, habits, and what influences your home.

Come Follow Me: Joshua 1–8; 23–24 — When Fear Meets the Promised Land

What do you do when God asks you to move forward, and the obstacle is still there? Come Follow Me this week (May 18–24) drops us into that moment with Israel, standing at the Jordan without Moses, staring down Jericho, and learning how the Lord turns fear into forward motion.

If you are preparing the Come Follow Me lesson and you feel the weight of leadership, parenting, repentance, or a hard decision, Come Follow Me Joshua 1–8; 23–24 meets you right where you are. Joshua receives a daunting assignment, and the Lord answers with a promise that still steadies disciples today.

What Is Come Follow Me Joshua 1–8; 23–24 About?

Joshua 1–8 begins with a transfer of responsibility and ends with Israel learning hard lessons about obedience, unity, and the Lord’s power. Joshua 23–24 closes the book with Joshua’s final counsel and a covenant choice that cannot be delegated.

These chapters move in a clear arc:

Joshua is called to lead after Moses, and the Lord commands courage (see Joshua 1:6–9).
Israel crosses the Jordan after sanctifying themselves (see Joshua 3:5, and the priests step into the water in Joshua 3:13, 15).
Jericho falls in a way that makes room for faith, not boasting (see Joshua 6).
Achan’s sin shows how hidden choices can weaken a whole community (see Joshua 7).
Ai is conquered and the people return to covenant worship (see Joshua 8).
Joshua’s farewell calls Israel to cling to the Lord and choose whom they will serve (see Joshua 23:8 and Joshua 24:15).

If you searched for a Joshua 1–8; 23–24 study guide, you may be looking for a simple way to connect these events to your life. Start with the repeated message: the Lord goes with His covenant people, and He teaches them to act on that truth.

Key Themes in Joshua 1–8; 23–24

These themes show up again and again in Come Follow Me Joshua 1–8; 23–24, and they fit personal discipleship and family life.

1) Courage comes from God’s presence

Joshua’s confidence is not rooted in personality or experience. The Lord anchors courage in a relationship and a command.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)

Where do you need that promise this week? If your “Jordan” is a conversation you keep postponing, a habit you are trying to change, or a calling that stretches you, Joshua 1:9 gives a reason to move: God goes with you.

Courage in these chapters often looks like ordinary obedience. Joshua still has to rise early, give instructions, and keep going when the outcome is not visible yet.

2) Scripture steadies leaders and families

The Lord ties Joshua’s success to consistent contact with God’s word. This is not a slogan for the wall, it is a survival pattern for a leader who cannot afford drift.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.” (Joshua 1:8)

Joshua 1:8 connects meditating with doing. Scripture stays close enough to shape choices, reactions, and priorities when pressure hits.

For families, this can be small and steady. A short daily verse, a question at dinner, or a five-minute Come, Follow Me check-in can build spiritual reflexes over time.

3) Sanctification comes before “wonders”

Before the river parts, Joshua gives a simple instruction that changes how we read miracles. The Lord often prepares people before He changes circumstances.

“Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Joshua 3:5)

Sanctifying can mean repentance, reconciling with someone, or cleaning up what we keep excusing. What would it look like to prepare your heart before asking for a breakthrough?

Then Israel steps forward while the water is still running. The priests’ feet touch the brim first (see Joshua 3:13, 15), and the way opens after covenant action.

4) Covenant discipleship requires a personal choice

Joshua ends his ministry by asking for a decision. Israel cannot live on yesterday’s testimonies or borrowed faith.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

That verse works well as a family council prompt. Serving the Lord becomes concrete when it shows up in schedules, media choices, Sabbath habits, and the way we speak to each other.

Joshua also teaches loyalty through memory. He urges Israel to “cleave unto the Lord” (see Joshua 23:8), which sounds like staying close when other options look easier.

Discussion Questions for Joshua 1–8; 23–24

These questions work for Sunday School, youth, or family study. Keep answers short, and let kids respond in their own words.

In Joshua 1:9, what reason does the Lord give for courage, and how does that change the way you face fear?
What does “meditate therein day and night” in Joshua 1:8 look like in a busy week of school, work, and practices?
Why do you think Joshua asked the people to sanctify themselves in Joshua 3:5 before the Lord did wonders?
When Israel crossed the Jordan, the priests stepped into the water first (see Joshua 3:13, 15). What might “step first” look like in your life?
Rahab acted on what she believed (see Joshua 2). Where do you need faith that shows up in action?
How does Joshua 24:15 help a family decide what to prioritize right now?

How to Teach Joshua 1–8; 23–24

Kids and teens connect to Joshua because the stories are visual. They also connect because everyone knows what it feels like to face something big.

Try simple teaching moves:

Act it out: Use pillows or blocks as “Jericho walls,” then talk about obeying even when instructions feel unusual (see Joshua 6).
Use one anchor verse: Have children repeat Joshua 1:9 and add their own “whithersoever thou goest” examples, like school or a new class.
Make the choice concrete: After reading Joshua 24:15, invite each person to name one way your home can “serve the Lord” this week.

Keep it short, keep it repeated, and let the Spirit do the lasting work.

Explore This Week's Full Study Guide

If you are preparing Come Follow Me Joshua 1–8; 23–24, you do not have to piece everything together on your own. The Gospel Study App organizes insights, questions, and cross-references so your study stays consistent through the week.

Use the app to:

Mark key verses like Joshua 1:8–9, Joshua 3:5, and Joshua 24:15 and return to them daily.
Build a family plan with short prompts that fit real schedules.
Study with purpose by connecting Joshua’s covenant themes to your own covenants.

Open the Gospel Study App and dive into Come Follow Me Joshua 1–8; 23–24 for Come Follow Me 2026 Week 21. Let this week’s chapters shape your courage, your habits, and your family’s choices.