Next Starts Now: The Win Starts Within (Week 4)

Preacher: Stephen Scott

Worship:
Suggested Song: “Touch of Heaven” – a song of surrender that helps us posture our hearts before God.

Check-in:
Where have you recently felt the tension between your plans and God’s plans?

Big Idea:
Before God brings victory on the outside, He does a deeper work on the inside.

In Joshua 5–6, God marks, moulds, and matures His people – preparing their hearts before giving them the promise. The fall of Jericho didn’t start with marching; it started with surrender.

In God’s Kingdom, the secret sauce of success is surrender.
Or in the language of the sermon: “The win starts within.”

Key Scriptures:

• Joshua 5 – 6 – God prepares Israel through surrender and obedience
• Proverbs 19:21 – Many plans in our hearts; God’s purpose prevails
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – New identity in Christ
• Matthew 16:25 – We find our life by laying it down

Discussion Questions:

1. Marked by God – Identity What part of your identity in Christ (new, forgiven, chosen, loved) do you find hardest to fully embrace right now, and why?
2. Moulded by God – Private Surrender Where is God doing a “win starts within” work in your life – something private, hidden, or uncomfortable that He is inviting you to surrender?
3. Moving With God – Obedience What is one step of obedience God is calling you to take that may feel unconventional, risky, or counter intuitive – like marching around Jericho?

Prayer Pointers:

Pray into three movements of surrender:

• Identity: “Lord, thank You for rolling away my shame. Help me live from who You say I am.”
• Surrender: “Create in me a clean heart. I lay down my plans for Your purpose.”
• Obedience: “Strengthen me to trust You and obey, even when it doesn’t make sense.”