APRIL 12, 2026 SERMON NOTES

Acts: The Time Prayer Meeting was Interrupted

Acts 12:1-5, 12-19

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. 

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

I. Determine What Causes People to Pray (Acts 12:1-4) 
1. Commitment
2. Crisis
3. Concern
4. Confession
5. Celebration 

II. Learn How to Pray God's Way (Acts 12:5) 
1. God's Purpose
2. Biblical Focus
3. Specific Request
      i. Salvation
     ii. Leaders
     iii. Church

III. Believe Prayer Makes a Difference (Acts 12:12-16) 
1. Expect God to Move
2. Share Answers to Prayer
3. Consider What Hinders Prayer
     i. Personal Sin
     ii. Spiritual Neglect
     iii. Wrong Motives 

APRIL 12, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

Acts: The Time Prayer Meeting was Interrupted

Acts 12:1-5, 12-19

Most people pray at some point in life. What is prayer? Why do people pray? How has prayer made a difference in your life? Prayer is a conversation with God, and it's more than a "good luck charm" - it's the lifeline of the believer.  

The early church prayed. Those godly people knew how to cry out to the Lord. The disciples of Jesus heard and saw Him praying one day, and, as a result, they asked Him to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1), not preach, sing, or lead. Have you ever asked the Lord to teach you to pray? Who's in your life who knows how to pray? What makes his or her prayers different and inspirational? 

In your group, take the time now to read Acts 12. What happened when the prayer meeting got interrupted? How does your group or church pray together? Share with your group your thoughts about the temperature of prayer in your church. Is it hot, cold, or lukewarm?           

1. Determine What Causes People to Pray (Acts 12:1-4). Why do people pray? The early church faced hard days. Herod the king was violent to those who followed Jesus. Death and prison were common in those days. Take a moment and list the many reasons people pray. Is intimacy with Jesus on your list? Is a crisis in life on your list? Is confession of sin on your list?    

2. Learn How to Pray God's Way (Acts 12:5). How do you pray God's way? Peter was locked up in prison. The early church gathered and prayed to God for him. It was described as "earnest" prayer. Biblical prayer has a purpose, a focus, and a request. Here are three requests for your group to pray: You can pray for lost people, spiritual leaders, and God's church. 

3. Believe Prayer Makes a Difference (Acts 12:12-16). How has prayer made a difference in your life? As God moved, Peter was set free and showed up at the prayer meeting. He knocked on the door. A servant girl went to the door, heard Peter's voice, and left him standing outside. The church didn't believe it was Peter. Talk about how you believe prayer makes a difference. 

As you think about God's Word, what hinders prayer? You can discuss your answers with your group. 

How can you apply and practice this week's study? 

• What is causing you to pray (your love for Jesus, a personal storm, a brokenness for another person, a sin you need to turn from, or a breakthrough from the Lord)? 

• Do you know how to pray God's way (His purpose, a biblical focus, and specific requests)?      

• Are you confident that prayer makes a difference (share answers to recent prayers)?   

Will you commit five minutes every day this week to pray for a person by name who doesn't know Jesus? Will you pray for his or her salvation? Will you ask God for an open door to share Jesus with him or her? 

FBC Clarksville believes in prayer. You're invited to join our Sunday morning prayer time at 8:15 in the Grace Worship Center. God's people gather and pray for specific requests every Sunday. 

We hope to see you in Connect Groups and the worship gathering on Sunday. 

View all of the "Acts" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/acts.

GROWTH GROUPS

NEW Wednesday night Growth Groups are available, and we’d love for you to get connected! Check out all of the new 2026 Growth Groups and sign up today at fbct.org/growthgroups.

EASTER AT FIRST BAPTIST CLARKSVILLE

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 | WORSHIP @ 12:00PM

Join us for the Good Friday Service and Lord’s Supper located in the Grace Worship Center.

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE

SUNDAY, APRIL 5 | 2 WORSHIP SERVICES: 7:30AM AND 10:30AM

PRESCHOOL for Babies - Kindergarten will be available

CONNECT GROUPS: 9:00AM

Connect Groups available for ALL ages

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: April 15, 2026

DINNER: 4:30-5:40PM FELLOWSHIP HALL

CLASS: 6:00PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

Our First Steps class is designed for new members and guests. We invite you to join our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronny Raines, and our ministry team for our next membership class. We'll treat you to a delicious meal in the Laida Fellowship Hall, and then help you discover how God wants to use you at First Baptist Church. As you attend the class, we'll cover the following subjects:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• Meaning of church membership

• Biblical baptism

• The Lord's Supper

• The church's beliefs and vision

• Opportunities to give

• Ways to serve in the church

• Ministries at First Baptist Church 

• Meet our ministry team

• Time for Q&A

• Tour our church facilities

We hope you'll join us for our next First Steps class. You can register by filling out the online form at fbct.org/firststeps or by contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

SERVE CLARKSVILLE

APRIL 18

On Saturday morning, April 18, our church plans to serve our community in many different ways. Registration to serve on that day is now open! Stop by to register at Missions Landing, one of the tables in our Grace Concourse, or online. We have around 20 different ministry projects for you and your family to consider. Learn more and register at fbct.org/serveclarksville.

MARRIAGE MATTERS MARRIAGE CONFERENCE

APRIL 19 | 3-5PM

Join us on Sunday, April 19 from 3-5pm for our Marriage Matters Marriage Conference with guest speaker, Dr. Hershael York in the Laida Fellowship Hall. Reservation for the event is not required. Childcare for 3rd grade and younger is available by reservation. Childcare registration closes April 15. Learn more and register for childcare at fbct.org/marriage.

NIGHT OF PRAYER AND PRAISE

may 3 | 3-5pm

Join us on Sunday, May 3 from 5-7pm in the Grace Worship Center for a Night of Prayer and Praise!

Childcare is available for Kindergarten and younger. Childcare registration closes April 29.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

SAVE THE DATE: June 15-19 | 9:00am-12noon

• WHO: Entering Kindergarten to Completed 5th Grade
  Preschool VBS is available for Volunteer children who are PreK and younger.

• WHAT: A 5-day intensive Biblical learning experience for kids that is also FUN for kids & teachers alike! Our kids kick-off the day with Worship Rally, then rotate through Bible study, Rec., Missions, Snacks, Crafts & MORE!

• WHEN: June 15-19 | 9am-12noon

• COST: FREE

Get Involved: Interested in joining the team as a leader or volunteer?

Email vbs@fbct.org for more information.
Volunteer Early to reserve your VBS shirt.
Click HERE to Register to Volunteer. 

FIRST BAPTIST MUSIC

Check out all of the First Baptist Worship Team videos from our online worship services at fbct.org/music.

THE VOICE - MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with all that is going with our monthly newsletter, the Voice! Visit fbct.org/voice!

MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING TOOLS

Fellowship, Worship and Discipleship are fundamental to an obedient life in Christ. First Baptist Church maintains several tools to help us stay connected, share and offer the sacrifice of praise, and grow together. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at fbct.org and click on "app" to see options for adding these tools to your phone or other device. You can use these tools to stay connected to your discipleship group, contact the church, watch past worship services and sermons, as well as support the FBC financially as the Lord directs for you and your family. There are even instructions for how to access these tools using your web browser.

Using these apps, updating your profile information to share with the church is easy. When changes occur in your family life such as a move to a new home, change in email address, etc. you can update your information to be sure that our communication with you is efficient. You can even add a picture to make it easier for your church family to put a name with a face!

Information about any groups that might be of interest to you, such as Connect Groups, teams, committees, etc will be available as well.  Group Leaders can use the tools to take attendance online and access other features.  You can contact the church through the app, read messages from group members/leaders and browse the church directory.

Check out fbct.org/app  for instructions on how to get the app and reach the membership and giving website.

LOVE the time of worship through song today? You can follow us on Spotify and listen to our playlist each week! Follow us on Spotify “First Clarksville” and sing along!