AUGUST 24, 2025 SERMON NOTES

A Disciple: Marvels

Mark 4:35-41

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

I. Storms Cause to Realize Jesus is Nearby (Mark 4:35-36)

II. Storms Lead Us to Ask Jesus for Help (Mark 4:37-38) 

III. Storms Allow Us to See Jesus at Work (Mark 4:39-41) 

How Should You and I Respond to Storms? 

1. Obey
2. Pray
3. Resist
4. Watch
5. Grow
6. Expect
7. Understand

AUGUST 24, 2025 SERMON NOTES

A Disciple: Marvels

Mark 4:35-41

Do you like speaking in public? It's a common fear for most people. If you get the chance to stand before a group of people and speak, you need to know your audience.  

As you gather with your study group, what are you facing? There are three categories of people. (1) Those who are in a storm. (2) Those who have just come through a storm. (3) Those who are headed into a storm (often without warning). People face various storms in life (physical, relational, financial, vocational, mental, or spiritual). Of the three categories, which one do you identify with currently? 

You may recall memories of storms. A violent tornado. A powerful hurricane. A historic flood. Storms often lead to loss of life and significant property damage. What personal storms have you experienced and endured? Here's a biblical truth you need to know from Mark 4:35-41. "No one escapes storms." 

1. Storms Cause Us to Realize Jesus is Nearby (Mark 4:35-36). What do you know about the Sea of Galilee? Storms can develop in that part of the world without warning. Jesus and His disciples were sailing across the lake. A violent storm surfaced that caused the disciples to fear for their lives. Jesus was nearby; He was in the boat. How do you measure spiritual growth? Do you live with an awareness of Jesus' presence, meaning He's nearby?

2. Storms Lead Us to Ask Jesus for Help (Mark 4:37-38). Have you ever been in a place where you thought your life was in danger? That eventful ride on the Sea of Galilee was life-threatening for the disciples. What did they do when all options were depleted? Those men cried out and asked Jesus for help. When was the last time you asked Jesus for help? If appropriate and comfortable, talk about your experience in your group. The Lord may use your story. 

3. Storms Allow Us to See Jesus at Work (Mark 4:39-41). The disciples had a front-row seat to seeing Jesus at work. The chaos and concern of that fearful moment turned into calmness when Jesus spoke to the storm. In your group, repeat Jesus' words together, "Peace! Be still!" As you evaluate your life, marriage, family, or church, where are you seeing Jesus at work? Talk about what you see Him doing and how that reality is changing your life.  

As you read Mark 4:35-41, can you list several ways in which you should respond to storms? You can share biblical truths or personal experiences. Can you name biblical characters who faced severe storms and experienced God's grace and favor? 

Take a moment and read Hebrews 13:8. How does this verse bridge the biblical world to the present world? Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to help you in your time of need. 

Take a few moments and discuss the following five questions: 

1. What storm(s) are you facing currently? 

2. Are you crying out to the Lord as a first response or as a last resort? 

3. How are you seeing the Lord at work in your life? 

4. How could you comfort another person who is enduring a violent personal storm?                

5. How are you living with an awareness that Jesus is in your boat? 

A disciple marvels at the presence and power of the Lord. Finish your group time this week in prayer. Praise the Lord for His marvelous grace! 

We're praying for you at FBC Clarksville. We hope you'll join us this Sunday for Bible study and worship. 

Grace and Peace!   

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.

2025-26 MOM LIFE

TUESDAY GROUP

Mom Life FBCT meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:00-8:00pm through May in the Fellowship Hall, 2nd Floor Hope Building. Registration/Tuition is $50.00.  Please note that there is no childcare available for the Tuesday Group. Learn more and register at fbct.org/momlife.

MOM LIFE (FRIDAY GROUP) REGISTRATION 2025-26

MomLife FBCT will meet one Friday a month from 9:00am-11:30am. We will begin on Friday, August 29th and meet through May in the Student Space, 3rd Floor Hope Building.  Registration/Tuition is $90.00.  Please note that childcare availability is limited for the Friday Group. Learn more and register at fbct.org/momlife.

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: SEPTEMBER 21, 2025, 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!