Book of Joshua — New World Translation Study Guide

Testament: Hebrew Scriptures · Chapters: 24 · Written by: Joshua (and others) · Approximate date: c. 1380 BC · Theme: Conquest & Jehovah's Faithfulness

Summary of the Book of Joshua

Joshua records Israel's conquest and settlement of Canaan under Joshua's leadership, demonstrating that Jehovah is faithful to every promise he made to Abraham and that courage comes from trusting in Jehovah.

The book of Joshua is part of the Hebrew Scriptures and contains 24 chapters. It was written by Joshua (and others) approximately c. 1380 BC. The central theme running throughout Joshua is conquest & jehovah's faithfulness — a foundational message for Jehovah's people as they pursue pure worship and grow in knowledge of Jehovah's purposes.

Key Verses in Joshua

  • Josh 1:9
  • Josh 24:15

Notable Passages in Joshua

Joshua 1:9

Jehovah's command 'be courageous and strong' assures Joshua that divine presence removes the basis for fear — a promise equally relevant to Jehovah's servants today.

Joshua 24:15

Joshua's declaration 'as for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah' represents the personal choice every family must make for exclusive devotion.

Joshua 21:45

The affirmation that 'not a word failed out of all the good things that Jehovah had spoken' establishes the perfect reliability of every divine promise.

Study Questions for Joshua

As you read the book of Joshua, reflect on these questions to deepen your understanding and appreciation of Jehovah's Word:

  1. How did Jehovah prepare Joshua for leadership, and what qualities of courage and faith did Joshua demonstrate that we can imitate?
  2. What does the account of Rahab (Joshua 2; 6) teach about how Jehovah's mercy can extend to those outside Israel who act in faith?
  3. Why was the sin of Achan (Joshua 7) so serious, and what does it teach about how individual sin can affect the whole congregation?
  4. How did Joshua's farewell address (Joshua 24) challenge the people to make a clear choice for Jehovah, and what choice must we make today?
  5. What does Joshua's record of Jehovah fulfilling every promise (Joshua 21:45; 23:14) teach about Jehovah's faithfulness?

How to Study Joshua with JW Study

JW Study is a free Bible reading tracker built for Jehovah's Witnesses. Track your progress through all 24 chapters of Joshua in the New World Translation, mark completed chapters, take personal study notes, and build a consistent daily Bible reading habit. Use it alongside JW Library and the publications available at wol.jw.org to deepen your understanding of Jehovah's Word.

Consider reading Joshua as part of your personal study routine, family worship night, or alongside the weekly meeting schedule. Taking notes on each chapter helps you retain key points and apply the lessons in your ministry.

Reading Plans That Include Joshua

The book of Joshua is covered in the following structured reading plans on NWT Progress. Each plan divides the reading evenly across a set number of days to help you stay consistent.

  • NWT in 1 Year — Read the entire New World Translation — all 66 books — in 365 days. (365 days, 1189 chapters)
  • Hebrew Scriptures in 1 Year — Journey through all 39 books of the Hebrew Scriptures over the course of a year. (365 days, 929 chapters)
  • Intensive: Bible in 90 Days — Cover all 66 books in just 90 days — the ultimate reading challenge for dedicated readers. (90 days, 1189 chapters)

Related Bible Study Topics

Deepen your study of the Bible with these related topics from JW Study:

  • Is Jesus God? — Understanding Jesus' identity as the Son of God — distinct from Jehovah
  • Jesus and Michael the Archangel — Scriptural evidence that Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel
  • Holy Spirit — Person or Force? — The Bible shows the holy spirit is God's active force, not a third person
  • Holy Spirit Is Not a Person — Key Verses — Scriptural proof that the holy spirit is God's active force, not a person
  • The Trinity Is Not Biblical — Key Verses — Scripture consistently distinguishes the Father from the Son — the Trinity doctrine has no Bible basis
  • The Angel of the Lord Is Michael — Key Verses — Scriptural evidence connecting the angel of Jehovah, Michael the archangel, and Jesus Christ
  • What Is the Soul? — The Bible defines the soul as a living being — not an immortal inner entity
  • What Happens When We Die? — Death is a state of unconscious sleep — not heaven, hell, or purgatory
  • God's Kingdom — What Is It? — A real government in heaven that will rule over a paradise earth
  • Why Does God Allow Suffering? — Understanding the issue of universal sovereignty and why Jehovah permits evil for now
  • The Sanctity of Blood — Why Jehovah commands us to abstain from blood — and what this means today

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