October 5, 2025 SERMON NOTES

A Disciple...Disciples 

Matthew 28:16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

I. Believe Jesus is at Work (Matthew 28:16-17)
1. Relate
2. Listen
3. Wait
4. Worship 

II. Realize Discipleship is Often Informal (Matthew 28:18) 
1. A Biblical Challenge
2. No Degree Required 
3. Opportunities are Everywhere 

III. Understand the Importance of Relationships (Matthew 28:19-20) 
1. The Difference
2. The Command 
3. The Platform

IV. Follow Jesus with Spiritual Assurance (Matthew 28:19-20). 
1. Is the Lord Calling You? 
2. Are You Listening to Him? 
3. Are You Praying for His Will? 
4. Are You Going as He Leads? 
5. Is Our Church Sending? 

Question to Students: What is one thing Jesus taught that you're praying to follow in your own life right now?   

October 5, 2025 Study Guide

A Disciple...Disciples 

Matthew 28:16-20

As you gather this week, can anyone in your study group quote the Great Commission? Jesus' message is relevant for every New Testament local church. Begin this week by reading Matthew 28:16-20 and saying a prayer.   

When did you come to Jesus? Who discipled you? Who are you discipling? The mandate of Jesus is to make disciples. You'll need courage to do what Jesus commands. 

Let's have a grammar lesson. In English, the Great Commission has many verbs (action words). We see these four words easily: go, make, baptize, and teach. In Greek, there's only one verb in the Great Commission. It's the idea of making disciples. The other words are participles. That's a big deal because Jesus has called us to make disciples of all nations. The Great Commission isn't optional or a suggestion. We're to keep the main thing the main thing, and that's making disciples all over the world. 

How does a disciple make disciples?            

1. Believe Jesus is at Work (Matthew 28:16-17). How do you see the Lord working around you? Jesus gave His disciples directions. The Bible is real. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. Is your heart overflowing in worship? Is your mind filled with doubts? The Lord can handle your honesty. As Jesus works, what is He asking you to know and do?       

2. Realize Discipleship is Often Informal (Matthew 28:18). The word "go" in Greek means "as you're going." Biblical discipleship is more than classes or groups. Much of Jesus' discipleship effectiveness was done informally. He met people where they were in life. As you go through life, school, work, eating out, playing sports, or shopping, are you making much of Jesus?        

3. Understand the Importance of Relationships (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus spent time alone in prayer. In equal importance, He pursued and welcomed relationships. Jesus loved people. What's the difference between fellowship and hospitality? Take a moment and read John 13:35. What does this verse say about the importance of relationships in disciple-making?       

4. Follow Jesus with Spiritual Assurance (Matthew 28:20). God's Word is filled with promises. As you go making disciples, Jesus promised His presence. You can live with assurance that Jesus is always with you. That truth changes everything. If you knew a cure for cancer, what would you do? Disciples of Jesus have the cure for lostness. Are you sharing it with conviction and clarity?       

The world's greatest problem is lostness (Dr. Paul Chitwood). How are you and your church fulfilling the Great Commission? How is the Lord using you and your faith family locally and globally? Take a moment and pray for the millions of people throughout the world who need to hear the gospel, surrender their lives to Jesus, and be discipled as the Bible commands.  

Who needs to hear the gospel from you? Who needs to be discipled by you?     

Take a few minutes and answer the following five personal questions: 

• Is God calling you? 

• Are you listening to Him?

• Are you praying for His will? 

• Are you going as He leads?  

• Is your church sending? 

We'd love for you to join us in worship for this final message in the "A Disciple..." sermon series. If you're able to join us on campus, we have Connect Groups for all ages. You can email us at info@fbct.org if you have questions. You're welcome to come to the Steeple Entrance on Sunday before 9:00 am. Our team would love to welcome you and help you find a study group. Our weekly worship gathering starts at 10:30 am on Sunday in the Grace Worship Center. 

If you're not able to participate on campus, we're thrilled that you're able to connect with us online. We'd love to hear from you. 

We hope to study and worship with you on Sunday! 

View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.

FALL GROWTH GROUPS

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROWTH GROUPS

6:00-7:15pm  |  Cost: $10

GROWTH GROUPS

• Daring Joy (Women’s Study): Tabitha Dowdy Original Fellowship Hall (Mark Briggs’ Classroom)

  In this 7-session Bible study, Nicole Zasowski draws from her experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist to point you to the enduring joy Jesus promises. Through the examples of six women in the Bible who model both the vulnerability of joy and the power of celebration, you’ll see that God longs for you to embrace abundant joy! Don’t miss out on your beautiful, God-given life because you’re busy preparing for the worst.

• Full Circle Parenting: Travis and Licia Massa - Room 2230 FH

  Parenting isn’t for wimps. It’s not just the routines, schedules, discipline, and heartaches—it’s the hard conversations. Using the 3 Circles gospel tool (God’s design; brokenness; gospel), Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins will give you a “conversation map” to work through any tough conversations you have with your children, and will show you how it works with topics such as gender, sexuality, and marriage, technology, alcohol and substance abuse, bitterness, forgiveness, and restoration, and friendship and mean kids.

• Character Still Counts: Mike Madewell - Room 2234 FH

  In a world of social media snapshots and cable news sound bites, we’re often more concerned with our outer image than we are with our inner make up. But in the end, integrity trumps image. You can look good on the outside without being good on the inside. If you long to commit yourself to what matters most—the content of your character—join bestselling author James Merritt as he explores 13 overlooked traits that form the bedrock of a godly life and a good society. Along the way, you’ll encounter surprising role models—flawed people who failed spectacularly, overcame adversity, and went on to live lives worth imitating. In a world that has abandoned the virtues and values that matter, this book offers a clarion call to return to a simple message: Character still counts. It always has, and it always will.

• The Man Journey (ReUp Men’s Study): Ron Pendergrass - The Loft

  The Man Journey is a 12-week focus on discovering the answer to the vital questions… What Is A Biblical Man? The Man Journey will take you on a discovery of the three truths of a Biblical man and gain a clear definition of biblical masculinity. The Man Journey is a weekly experience where you discover the essentials of biblical manhood taught through video teaching, digital or printed content, and grow discussions that build authentic community.

Learn more at fbct.org/growthgroups.

NIGHT OF PRAYER AND PRAISE

OCTOBER 5 | 5-7PM

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

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: JANUARY 11, 2026, 12-2pm

LOCATION: hope BUILDING, original fellowship hall

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 lunch 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 HERE or contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

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!