NEW to First Baptist Clarksville? WELCOME! We’re so glad you’re worshiping with us! We’d love for you to fill out an online Connect Card so that we can learn more about you and help get you connected! Visit fbct.org/connectcard and someone will contact you shortly!
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.
At First Baptist, an important part of how we function is by connecting with each other as well as creating an atmosphere that is conducive to growing in our relationship with God and with others. One way in which we make strides to achieve that goal is through Connect Groups. Even during this time, we have online Connect Group opportunities as well as in-person Connect Groups that meet at 9:00am! Learn more about connecting opportunities by visiting fbct.org/connectgroups.
Thank you for your faithful giving to First Baptist Clarksville. Your financial support and investment in our church has a direct impact on our ministry. God is at work in our church and because you give, we are able to see lives touched, changed and redirected to honor Him. Learn more about different ways to give at fbct.org/giving or give instantly at fbct.org/give.
Our Pastor has called us to make every Friday a Day of Prayer. We invite you to join us. No need to sign up, just pray. We ask you to set aside 15 minutes during the day to stop and pray. A new prayer guide will be posted at fbct.org/pray each Thursday to help direct your prayer time.
Of course, every day is a day for us to pray. We are reminded to continually be in a spirit of prayer.
2 Chronicles 7:14 ”And my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
We’d love for you to like and follow us on social media! It’s a great way to stay up-to-date and connected with our First Family! When you visit us for in-church worship, we’d love for you to check-in! This is a great way to invite others to join you! Or if you’re at home or in-person, take a photo of what worship looks like where you’re at and who you’re with and tag us, and be sure to share the online worship so others can worship with us!
SAVE THE DATES:
August 27 - 5:30-7pm: ESL (English as a Second Language) Kick Off | fbct.org/esl
August 29 - 9-11:30am: Mom Life Friday Group Begins | Student Space | fbct.org/momlife
September 1: Labor Day (Church Offices Closed)
September 7 - 5-March 7pm: Grief Share Begins | Room 2208
September 4 - 10:30am-1pm: Legacy First Thursday
September 7, 14, 21: Deacon Selection Process
September 7 - 3-5pm: Kids Blacklight Dodgeball | FBCT Gym
September 21 - 12-2pm: First Steps Class | fbct.org/firststeps
October 5: Operation Christmas Child Kickoff
October 10-22: Journeys of Paul Tour | fbct.org/journeysofpaul
October 27-28: Iron Sharpens Iron Pastors’ Retreat
November 16: Missions Day
December 12: Legacy Trip - Nashville Christmas Cruise Aboard the General Jackson
2025 BIBLE READING PLAN
Follow along with us as we read the Bible through in 2024! There are three versions you can choose from to follow along with, Through the Bible, Chronological, and New Testament.
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!
Check out these Staff Picks for Books and Resources for all ages!
Many of these materials are available in the church library, room 2326, on the third floor.
You may locate them by searching the online catalog at fbct.org/library.
If you are interested in volunteering anywhere throughout the campus, please visit fbct.org/volunteer and let us know!
PRESCHOOL MINISTRY
9 am Connect Group Hour
Greeter/Attendance
Connect Group Assistant Leader
Connect Group Leader
10:30 Worship Hour
Greeter/Attendance
Worship Hour Smiles Team Member
Wednesday 6 pm
Wednesday PM Babies Helper
Wednesday PM Pre-K TeamKID Leader & Assistant Leader
KIDS MINISTRY
Teachers for elementary-age kids for Connect Groups
STUDENT MINISTRY
Group Leaders and Co-Leaders
COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY
Photographers (capture Sunday mornings and events)
In-Person Worship Camera Operators for Online Service
TECH MINISTRY
Audio, Video, and Lighting
WORSHIP MINISTRY
Adult Choir, Worship Team, Musicians
FIRST EVENTS MINISTRY
Kitchen helpers needed - making coffee, serving food, and setting up and cleaning up after events.
Legacy Ministry
Loving Touch Care for the Homebound and Nursing Homes
FIRST IMPRESSIONS Ministry
Sunday Morning First Impressions Greeters and Connectors
Lillian Bradley Church Library Ministry
Displays/bulletin boards
Advertising
Book processing
Typing
Man circulation desk
JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP!
IN-PERSON Opportunities:
Sundays: 9:00am (Connect Groups)
Sundays: 10:30am (Worship)
Wednesdays: 4:30-6:00pm (Dinner)
Wednesdays: 6:00-7:15pm (Connect Groups)
Online Worship Opportunities:
Saturdays: 7:00pm
Sundays: 10:30am, 2:00pm, 7:00pm
Mondays: 7:00pm
Wednesdays: 6:00pm
Facebook: facebook.com/firstclarksville
YouTube: youtube.com/firstclarksville
Website: fbct.org/live
LIVE on Facebook: facebook.com/firstclarksville. After the live event, you can replay on this same Facebook page. We will stream on Sundays at 10:30am, 2pm, and 7pm, Mondays at 7pm, Wednesdays at 6pm, and Saturdays at 7pm.
LIVE on Youtube: youtube.com/firstclarksville.
You can listen to and watch past services at fbct.org/sermonarchive
You can also watch a recent sermon on television through WCKV-TV which is Channel 6 on Charter/Spectrum, Channel 12 on CDE Lightband and over the air through an antenna on Channel 22.1. These programs air at:
- 9:00am on Sundays
- 4:30am on Mondays
- 7:00pm on Mondays
- 8:30am on Wednesdays
- 4:30am on Thursdays
- 4:00am on Fridays
QUESTIONS? Email us at info@fbct.org.