AUGUST 10, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…Worships
John 4:19-26
As you begin this week's BIble study, take a moment and pray for the many men and women who have served and are serving our country in the Armed Forces. War is dangerous and deadly. These men and women protect us and defend our freedom. Thank the Lord for their sacrifice!
In the 70s and 80s, Southern Baptists were involved in a war. The battle was over the Bible. Is the Bible true, inerrant, infallible, and authoritative? Southern Baptists are known as "people of the Book." Praise the Lord, our convention of churches is committed to the inerrancy and inspiration of the Scriptures!
In more recent years, churches have fought another war. This war was over the style of worship. Is the church going to sing traditional or contemporary songs? Is the worship style going to be traditional, contemporary, or blended? The consequences of this war have been deep and wide. Churches have split. Pastors have left the ministry. Lost people have been confused, seeing disunity among God's people. In several churches, the war is still ongoing. What kind of worship style is pleasing to God? What does the Bible say about songs (pay attention to the Psalms, Ephesians, and Colossians)? What does the Bible teach about the heart behind our songs, regardless of their style?
Jesus engaged a Samaritan woman in a conversation. The interaction started over water, then went to her relationships, and finally landed on worship. The conversation with Jesus changed the woman's life. The woman's story in John 4 is glorious, inspirational, and personal. Take a few minutes and answer the following three questions:
Why was it unusual for Jesus to talk with a Samaritan woman?
How did the disciples respond to Jesus talking with the woman?
How did the Lord use the woman's testimony in the town?
What lessons about worship do we learn from John 4?
1. Refuse to Confine Worship to a Location (John 4:19-23). What happens when God's people make worship about a location? How did the Samaritan woman confine worship to a location? The woman was focused on a mountain. How did Jesus reply to the woman's beliefs? Take a few minutes and talk about a few definitions of worship. In a discussion about biblical worship, you can talk about these three words: audience, prompter, and performers.
Who is the audience?
Who is the prompter?
Who are the performers?
2. Commit to Practice Worship as a Lifestyle (John 4:23-24). What does it mean to worship God as a lifestyle? Jesus knew the Samaritan woman had needs. Her life was messed up. Here's great news: Jesus loves messed-up people. John 4 gives insights into what God desires. He wants to save the lost, and He seeks true worshipers. Biblical worship isn't limited to Sundays.
How are you praying for and sharing the gospel with lost people?
How are you worshiping the Lord as a lifestyle?
How is your worship, as a believer and church, pleasing God?
3. Pray to Keep Worship in Balance (John 4:24-26). What happens when life gets out of balance? What are the consequences when worship becomes unbalanced? Jesus taught that true worshipers worship the Father in spirit and truth. That's a balanced approach to biblical worship. Take a few moments and discuss what it means to worship the Father in spirit and truth.
What does a balanced approach to worship look like?
What steps can be taken if worship becomes out of balance?
How will we know if we've worshiped Jesus as He said?
Our aim as a church is to worship God, love people, share Jesus, and make disciples.
A true disciple is a true worshiper. As we aim to be disciples who worship God, let's consider and answer the following two questions:
What's the difference between being a believer and a disciple?
How are you growing and maturing in the Christian life?
We're excited about Bible study and worship this weekend. It's Connect Sunday at FBC Clarksville. We'd love for you to join us in one of our Connect Groups and gather wth us for worship in the Grace Worship Center. If that's not possible, thank you for connecting with us online.
We're grateful for you!
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.
AUGUST 17, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…Supports
Acts 2:42-47
Do you prefer food cooked in a crockpot or a microwave? One cooking method is fast, and the other cooking method is slow. The work of the church (making disciples) is like a crockpot. It's a slow process. It takes time to build relationships that help people become followers and learners of Jesus. However, as commanded in Matthew 28, making disciples is what Jesus expects of His church.
Local churches come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. These churches have reputations of being bad, good, or great. What's the reputation of your church?
In your group, read Acts 2:42-47. How would you describe the early church? What's necessary for a local assembly to be known as a "great church?"
Open your Bibles and read Matthew 16:18 and Acts 20:28. How do you see these two biblical texts being fulfilled in your local church? Our world is filled with passion...passion for travel, sports, pleasure, and fame. Are you passionate about the Lord and His church? A local pastor said, "The local church is the hope of the world." Do you agree or disagree with his statement?
A disciple of Jesus worships Him and supports His church. What insights about discipleship do you learn from Acts 2:42-47?
1. God's People Surrender Completely (Acts 2:42). In today's text, what is meant by the word "devoted?" The early believers were devoted to the apostles' teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. What does each of those characteristics mean? Are you devoted to those biblical behaviors? Take a moment and discuss the following questions.
Why is the local church important to you? How are you praying for your church and leaders?
Of the four biblical behaviors, which one do you need to grow in the most? Why did you say the one you did?
2. God's People Support Personally (Acts 2:43-45). God's Word says that the believers were together and had all things in common (Acts 2:44). Support for one another was noticeable in the church. It's heartbreaking to think about the many people who face difficult seasons of life without a support network. No one visits. No one prays. No one helps. Here are more questions to discuss.
How has the church supported you? Is there a personal story that you can share?
How is the support system in your church? Using baseball terminology, how have you seen your church hit "grand slams" (loved people), or how have you seen your church "strike out" (missed opportunities)?
3. God's People Sacrifice Generously (Acts 2:45). The early church understood the biblical mandate of sacrifice. Those believers sold stuff to meet the needs of people. Jesus sacrificed His life for the sins of the world, your sins. Read and discuss Romans 12:1-2. Giving campaigns use the word sacrifice often. Spend a few moments discussing the following questions.
What is it costing you to be a disciple of Jesus? How have you sacrificed to advance God's kingdom agenda?
In your church, are people more important than possessions? Is your church meeting people's needs or enabling their wants?
4. God's People Share Frequently (Acts 2:46-47). In the early church, how often were people being saved (Acts 2:47)? A great church is a growing church. Growth for the early church was numerical and spiritual. The Lord was adding people day by day, and they were maturing in their faith and walk with Jesus. God's people shared the gospel. Here are more questions for your group.
How do you see your church growing? Can you see numerical and spiritual growth taking place?
Are you sharing the gospel with other people? When was the last time you led another person to Jesus? When was the last time you tried?
Thank you for studying God's Word with us this week. You matter to the Lord and us at FBC Clarksville.
We pray to worship with you this weekend!
Grace and Peace!
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.
AUGUST 24, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
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.
AUGUST 31, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…Remembers
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
It's normal these days to see television commercials about memory boosting drugs. "Take this pill, and your memory will be better than ever." There's hope in that message for many people.
God calls His people to remember. The Lord's Supper is about remembering the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. His body was beaten and tortured. Nails pierced His hands and feet. A crown of thorns covered His head. His blood flowed from His body and down the cross. May you and I never forget the greatest act of love in human history! Jesus paid it all!
Remembering is a central theme in our faith, and it's something God repeatedly asks of His people. A disciple worship, supports, marvels, and, in today's message, remembers. What does the Lord want His people to remember? I'm afraid many Christians have short memories. We forget the grace and goodness of God too easily. In your group, or even alone, listen to the song, "The Goodness of God." As you worship the Lord, remember and praise Him for His goodness in your life.
In Deuteronomy 8, what is God calling His people to remember?
1. Follow God's Leadership (Deuteronomy 8:2, 11-15). God wanted His people to remember the way He led them. God's leadership isn't always the shortest or quickest route. He sees the big picture. God's leadership is about a journey, not simply a destination. One of the greatest spiritual lessons in the Christian life is to learn how to follow. Effective leaders are committed followers. In what area of your life is it most difficult to follow God's lead right now?
2. Receive God's Blessings (Deuteronomy 8:16-18). God called His people to remember the way He blessed and provided for them. God showered His people with generosity. The enemy tempts us to believe that we're self-made people. Many people say, "I built this business. I grew this church. I accomplished financial freedom. It's all about me." I hope you realize that you're not in control. Who determines your next breath and heartbeat? God does!
3. Obey God's Commands (Deuteronomy 8:19-20). God expected His people to remember His commands and the glory of worship. God doesn't ignore disobedience. His people reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7-8). God's people weren't to worship idols or objects. His followers were to worship Him, the true and living God. It's dangerous and wrong to replace God as the focus of worship. Are you worshiping the true and living God as He commands?
In your group, and over the next fifteen minutes or so, make a list of things the Lord wants you to remember. List what and why you need to remember those things. The items you list can become prayer prompts for you and your group.
As you finish this week's study, pause and share what you remember about these spiritual realities:
The defining moment of your salvation
A Bible verse the Lord has used in your life
A specific moment when the Lord used your witness
The many ways God has provided for you
The various methods the Lord has used to grow you as a disciple
Thank you for studying God's Word with us this week. We hope you'll join us in worship this weekend. We'll worship the Lord through music, prayer, giving, proclamation, fellowship, and the Lord's Supper.
We're praying for you!
Grace and Peace!
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…GROWS
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…loves
Matthew 22:36-40
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…decreases
Philippians 2:5-11
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…prays
Luke 18:9-14
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.
OCTOBER 5, 2025 STUDY GUIDE
A Disciple…DISCIPLES
Matthew 28:16-20
View all of the "Disciple" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/disciple.