Next Starts Now: The Way Back (Week 5)

Preacher: Daniel Erasmus

Worship:
Suggested Songs: “Touch of Heaven” or any song that focuses on returning to God and surrender. Other alternatives include:
“Run to the Father” – Cody Carnes. A powerful declaration of returning to God with honesty and letting Him heal what’s broken.
“I Surrender” – Hillsong Worship. A classic surrender song that helps people lay down what they’ve been holding onto.

Check-in:
What is one area in your life where you’ve sensed God inviting you to “come back” or realign with Him?

Big Idea:
Joshua 7–8 gives us one of the most honest and hope filled pictures of the faith journey. After the thrill of Jericho, Israel is brought to a sudden halt at Ai – not because God changed, but because hidden sin and spiritual complacency (where confidence replaced dependence) broke the trust relationship God had with His people. Achan’s private compromise affects the entire community, and Israel learns a sobering truth: What is hidden in us eventually impacts what happens around us.

But these chapters don’t just expose the seriousness of sin – they spotlight the mercy of God. Even when God’s people fall, doubt, fail, or lose ground, God does not abandon them. Instead, He invites them into a process of honesty, confession, and restoration.

The way back begins not with trying harder but with returning to God – running toward Him, bringing what’s hidden into the light, dealing with what needs to be dealt with, and trusting that grace always meets us where we are.

And when Israel turns back to God, God speaks again. Not condemnation – but courage. Not rejection – but direction. Not “you’re done” – but “Do not fear… arise… go again.”

This is the heart of the gospel in Joshua 7–8: Sin may interrupt the journey, but it cannot cancel God’s purpose. God always makes a way back for those who turn back to Him.

Key Scriptures:

• Joshua 7–8: Hidden sin, repentance, and restoration
• Psalm 139: “Search me, O God”
• 1 John 1:9: Confession and cleansing
• James 5:16: Healing through confession

Discussion Questions:

1. Recognising What’s Hidden – Integrity Before God
   Achan’s compromise was small, secret, and seemingly insignificant – yet it impacted an entire nation.
   • Where in your life do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting a “small” or “quiet” area of compromise – in attitude, habits, thought life, or desires – that may not look destructive on the surface but is quietly shaping your heart away from God?
   • What makes this area easy to hide or justify, and what might it look like to bring it honestly before God?
2. Returning to God – The Courage of Confession
   Joshua’s instinct after defeat is not to hide, withdraw, or self-protect – he runs toward God, even in confusion and frustration.
   • What would it look like for you to “run to God” in an area where you feel stuck, ashamed, or afraid – and what barriers (fear, pride, self reliance, disappointment) tend to hold you back from doing this?
   • How have you experienced God meeting you with grace rather than condemnation when you’ve come to Him honestly?
3. Restoration & Moving Forward – Stepping Into the “Next” Again
   After dealing with sin, God’s first words to Joshua are, “Do not fear… arise… go up again.”
   • Where do you sense God inviting you to get up and take a next step again – perhaps in an area where defeat, regret, or shame has made you hesitant to try, trust, or obey?
   • What truth about God’s character (His mercy, patience, forgiveness, faithfulness) do you need to hold onto as you take that step?

Prayer Pointers:

• Confession: “Lord, search me and reveal anything hidden.”
• Surrender: “I bring this into the light – help me walk in truth.”
• Restoration: “Lead me forward again. Thank You that failure is not final.”