Connected Study Guide: Joshua 1–8;23–24

Week 21 (May 18–24): “Be Strong and of a Good Courage” (Joshua 1–8; 23–24)

Doctrinal Foundation

From Joshua’s view: Joshua steps into leadership after Moses, facing real obstacles: “the Jordan River, the walls of Jericho, and a mighty people who had rejected the Lord” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “May 18–24. ‘Be Strong and of a Good Courage’”). The Lord’s repeated command to be courageous meets a moment where courage cannot come from experience alone.

From Israel’s view: Israel’s long-awaited inheritance is close, but the promised land still requires covenant loyalty, sanctification, and obedience before power is manifest. The Lord’s wonders come in sequence, often after a faithful first step (Joshua 3:13, 15, cited in the lesson).

From the Lord’s view: The Lord anchors courage in His presence, not in human capacity: “Be strong and of a good courage… for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9, cited in the lesson). The same framing governs the crossing of Jordan: “the Lord will do wonders among [us]” (Joshua 3:5, cited in the lesson). In this week’s chapters, divine companionship and divine power are tied to covenant faithfulness.

From a Christ-centered view taught in the lesson: “The name Joshua (Yehoshua or Yeshua in Hebrew) means ‘Jehovah saves.’ And the name Jesus comes from Yeshua” (Come, Follow Me, For Home and Church: Old Testament 2026, “May 18–24. ‘Be Strong and of a Good Courage’”). The lesson asks readers to consider Joshua’s role in leading Israel into inheritance as a way to think about what Jesus Christ does for His covenant people.

Scripture Deep Dive (Ascending Steps of Discovery)

1) Courage rooted in covenant presence (Joshua 1:9)

The lesson frames the heart of courage as the Lord’s nearness:

“Be strong and of a good courage.” (Joshua 1:9, cited in the lesson) “the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9, cited in the lesson)

This establishes a pattern for the week: the Lord does not minimize obstacles; He gives His presence.

2) Scripture as daily governance, not occasional consultation (Joshua 1:8)

The Lord’s counsel to Joshua centers on sustained engagement with “the word of the law.” The lesson summarizes the invitation as: “Meditate day and night” (Joshua 1:8, table in the lesson), and it pairs that with a promised blessing: “Prosper in the land” (Mosiah 1:7, table in the lesson). The progression in the lesson moves from reading to meditation to lived prosperity.

The lesson also points to a modern apostolic invitation for further study without quoting it: see also Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, last paragraph on page 89 (listed in the lesson).

3) Saving faith that acts (Joshua 2 with Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25)

The lesson connects Rahab’s story to two New Testament witnesses: “New Testament Christians saw Rahab as an example of the power of both faith and works (see Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25)” (lesson section “Joshua 2”). The focus stays practical: Rahab’s faith and works “saving herself, her family, and the Israelite spies” (lesson). The lesson’s application is relational and outward-facing: personal faith in Christ and personal works can “influence yourself and others” (lesson).

4) Sanctification before crossing (Joshua 3:5)

The lesson asks directly: “Why do you think the Israelites needed to sanctify themselves before they crossed the Jordan River? (see Joshua 3:5)” (lesson section “Joshua 3–4”). The stated theme is that covenant preparation precedes covenant power, and the crossing becomes a spiritual threshold.

5) Power after the first step into the water (Joshua 3:13, 15)

The lesson highlights the timing: “the river parted only after ‘the feet of the priests … were dipped in the brim of the water’ (Joshua 3:13, 15)” (lesson). The sequence matters: the Lord’s wonder follows a faithful entry into risk, undertaken in covenant duty.

6) Jordan as a recurring site of divine acts (2 Kings 2:6–15; 2 Kings 5:1–14; Mark 1:9–11)

The lesson directs readers to place Joshua’s crossing beside other Jordan events: “Several other significant events happened at the Jordan River, see 2 Kings 2:6–15; 5:1–14; and Mark 1:9–11” (lesson). The repeated geography becomes a repeated theological theme: the Lord uses familiar places to reaffirm His power and covenant work across generations.

7) Obedience that accesses God’s help (Joshua 6–8; Joshua 7:10–13)

The lesson frames Jericho and Ai as a mirror for personal battles with temptation: “As you read these chapters, consider how you battle temptation (for example, see Joshua 7:10–13)” (lesson). It then points to two features of obedience:

• The Lord can give specific instruction: “what impresses you about the Lord’s instructions for taking Jericho? (see Joshua 6:1–5)” (lesson).
• Covenant community requires removing what contaminates: “determine if ‘there is an accursed thing’ in your life that you need to remove (Joshua 7:13)” (lesson).

8) Covenant choice at life’s end (Joshua 23–24; Joshua 23:8; Joshua 24:15)

Joshua’s final counsel is framed as warnings, counsel, and promised blessings (lesson). The lesson highlights a covenant verb: “cleave unto the Lord” (Joshua 23:8, cited in the lesson). It also centers Joshua’s culminating invitation: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15, lesson heading). For further reading, the lesson provides: see also Dale G. Renlund, “Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 104–6 (listed in the lesson).

Historical Context (from the provided lesson material)

The lesson situates Joshua at a hinge point in Israel’s story: the promise is imminent, yet the barriers are concrete and intimidating, including “the Jordan River” and “the walls of Jericho” (lesson introduction). The people also face the transition of leadership “without their beloved leader Moses” (lesson). Within that setting, the Lord’s command to courage is not motivational rhetoric; it is covenant logic grounded in His presence (Joshua 1:9, cited in the lesson).

The lesson also provides an interpretive bridge through names: “Joshua… means ‘Jehovah saves’… And the name Jesus comes from Yeshua” (lesson). That linguistic background frames Joshua’s leadership as a type of saving guidance into inheritance, as the lesson encourages readers to consider.

Pattern Recognition Web (Cross-References from the Bundle)

• Courage grounded in God’s companionship: Joshua 1:9 (lesson introduction and “Learning” section).
• Scripture engagement and promised blessings: Joshua 1:8 (lesson), with linked invitations and blessings in 1 Nephi 15:23–24; 2 Nephi 32:3; Mosiah 1:7; Helaman 3:29–30; Doctrine and Covenants 84:85 (table in the lesson).
• Faith and works together: Joshua 2 with Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 (lesson).
• Sanctification before divine wonders: Joshua 3:5 (lesson).
• Wonders after faithful action: Joshua 3:13, 15 (lesson).
• Jordan River as a recurring setting for God’s acts: 2 Kings 2:6–15; 2 Kings 5:1–14; Mark 1:9–11 (lesson).
• Obedience and removing “accursed” things: Joshua 7:10–13; Joshua 7:13 (lesson).
• Covenant loyalty described as cleaving: Joshua 23:8 (lesson).
• Covenant choice articulated openly: Joshua 24:15 (lesson).

Discussion Framework (Observation to Application)

1. In the lesson’s description of Israel’s obstacles, which barrier feels most like a personal “Jordan River” or “walls of Jericho” right now? (lesson introduction)
2. According to Joshua 1:9, what is the stated reason for courage? (Joshua 1:9, cited in the lesson)
3. The lesson highlights scripture “meditat[ion] day and night” (Joshua 1:8, table). What does “meditate” suggest about pace and attention compared to quick reading? (Joshua 1:8, lesson table)
4. The lesson pairs scripture engagement with a promise to “prosper in the land” (Mosiah 1:7, table). What kinds of “prosper[ity]” does the lesson encourage readers to look for in their lived experience of the word of God? (lesson table and prompts)
5. In Joshua 2, where can Rahab’s faith be seen, and where can her works be seen, based on the lesson’s framing? (lesson section “Joshua 2”)
6. Why does the lesson emphasize sanctification before crossing the Jordan? (Joshua 3:5, lesson)
7. What does the timing of the river parting teach about stepping forward before outcomes are visible? (Joshua 3:13, 15, lesson)
8. How do the Jordan River cross-references expand the meaning of Joshua 3–4 as more than a single historical event? (2 Kings 2:6–15; 2 Kings 5:1–14; Mark 1:9–11, lesson)
9. When the lesson asks about an “accursed thing” (Joshua 7:13), what kinds of self-examination does that invite, and what kind of action does it require? (lesson)
10. Joshua ends by urging covenant choice. What does it look like to “cleave unto the Lord” in daily decisions? (Joshua 23:8, lesson)

Gospel Connections (Plan of Salvation Threads from the Bundle)

• Covenant companionship: The Lord’s promise “the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9, cited in the lesson) ties divine help to covenant path living, especially when responsibilities expand beyond personal strength (lesson introduction).
• Revelation through scripture: Joshua 1:8’s “Meditate day and night” (lesson table) aligns with the lesson’s broader scripture invitations across the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants references listed in the table (1 Nephi 15:23–24; 2 Nephi 32:3; Mosiah 1:7; Helaman 3:29–30; Doctrine and Covenants 84:85).
• Saving faith expressed through works: Rahab’s example, linked to Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25, frames salvation-oriented faith as active and protective of others (lesson).
• Entering a new covenant life: The children’s section connects Jordan crossing imagery to baptism: “crossing the Jordan River as a symbol of baptism, giving up our old life in the wilderness and starting a new one in a covenant relationship with God” (Teaching Children, “Joshua 3–4”). It also notes: “Jesus was baptized in the same river the Israelites crossed” (Teaching Children, “Joshua 3–4,” referencing Mark 1:9–11 listed earlier in the lesson).

Teaching Moments (Sharing This Week with Others)

1. A family scripture practice built on Joshua 1:8: Use the lesson’s table language, “Meditate day and night” (Joshua 1:8, lesson table), and discuss what “meditate” could look like in a household routine.
2. A youth discussion on faith and works using Rahab: Read Joshua 2 with the lesson’s framing that Rahab influenced “herself and others” through “both faith and works” (lesson; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25).
3. A class object lesson on first steps: Use the lesson’s emphasis that the river parted only after the priests’ feet entered the water (Joshua 3:13, 15, lesson). Invite learners to name a faithful “first step” they can take before seeing the full outcome.
4. A baptismal connection for Primary or new members: Teach the lesson’s symbol: crossing Jordan as “starting a new life in a covenant relationship with God,” and connect it to Jesus’s baptism in the same river (Teaching Children, “Joshua 3–4”; Mark 1:9–11 listed in the lesson).

Personal Reflection (Pattern-Finding in One’s Covenant Journey)

• Where does the Lord’s counsel to Joshua address present fears most directly: “Be strong and of a good courage” (Joshua 1:9, cited in the lesson)?
• What would change in scripture study if the goal were “Meditate day and night” rather than occasional reading? (Joshua 1:8, lesson table)
• What “wonders” has the Lord already worked that could be remembered with more care, as the lesson asks, “How has the Lord done ‘wonders’ in your life?” (Joshua 3:5, lesson)
• Is there “an accursed thing” that needs to be removed, as the lesson suggests using Joshua 7:13? (lesson)

Prophetic Echoes (Modern Resources Named in the Bundle)

• For a modern prophetic invitation connected to hearing the Lord, the lesson points readers to: Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, last paragraph on page 89 (listed in the lesson; see also that reference for further reading).
• For a modern apostolic treatment of covenant choice aligned with Joshua 24, the lesson points readers to: Dale G. Renlund, “Choose You This Day,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 104–6 (listed in the lesson; see also that reference for further reading).

These chapters and the lesson’s linked scriptures invite covenant disciples to move forward with sanctification, scripture meditation, and deliberate choosing of the Lord in daily life.