First Baptist Church of Johnson City, NY

Discipleship COnnection

march 15, 2026

Children's Ministry Announcements: The planned Easter morning song has been cancelled due to time constraints. The Nursing Home Hymn Sing has been postponed.
VBS Volunteer Forms are at the Welcome Centers. Return forms to Pam Hurst. Contact the office if you have questions about your child protection certification status.
Summer Camp Scholarship Applications are now available in the Refinery and Kids' Corner Check-in Desk. Please sign up by Sunday 3/22 to receive an activity packet.
Spring Module Announcement: Please note that there will be no Nursery-6th grade classes for the Spring Module. Teens will meet in the Refinery and adults will meet in the Chapel for a 6-week study on "Trials and Traumas".
3/14-4/26 EQUIP ABF Module "Doctrine of the Church": Teens join EQUIP for a 6-week module
3/18 Mommy & Me Playdate: Kids 0-5 years and moms are welcome to a playdate in the Kids’ Gym from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Please use South Entrance. Contact Laura Brown with questions.
3/18 Awana Theme Night: Dress Like Your Parent
3/20 Colton Dixon Concert: Colton Dixon will be at FBJC on March 20th! Use the link to order tickets! https://www.ticketweb.com/event/colton-dixon-presents-the-love-first-baptist-church-of-johnson-tickets/14068014?pl=TPR&REFID=church
3/25 Awana Closing Ceremony
3/28 Church Family Game Night-NERF WARZ: The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Gym! Bring your own Nerf gun, eye protection, and a friend. Food, spare Nerf guns, and eye protection are available.
4/1 VBS Meeting: For all who are interested in volunteering for VBS there is a meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Kids' Gym. *Volunteers need to complete child protection requirements in order to serve.

Wednesday Night Ministries Adult Classes

Adult Bible Study-Room 111-"In Christ: The Gospel at Work in God's People"-Pastor Ken

Women's Bible Study-Room 109-"Behold Your God: The Weight of Majesty"-Lisa Zuk

Prayer Warriors-Room 108-Tom Macbeth

Men's Bible Study-Room 116-"The Gospel of John" John MacArthur study-Brian Seachrist

Cancellation Policy

Sunday Services: If weather requires us to cancel our services, that information will be available on the church voicemail, Facebook, or the website at www.fbjc.org.

Wednesday Evening: If Johnson City Schools cancel for the day, dismiss early, or cancel after-school activities due to inclement weather, all programs and services on Wednesday evenings will be cancelled. You can listen to the church voicemail after 3:00 pm, check Facebook, or check the website at www.fbjc.org to know for sure if church has been cancelled.

Click here for PDF versions of weekly Discipleship Connections

Events and ministry focus (march 15-march 21)

Select the tabs below for this week's family ministry content.

March 15th-April 26th-6-week Theology ABF Module (Teens join EQUIP)
March 18th-Mommy & Me Playdate
March 18th-Awana Theme Night: Dress Like Your Parent!
March 25th-Awana Closing Program
March 28th-Church Family Game Night-NERF WARZ!
April 1st-Youth Worship Team Practice Session
April 5th-Easter-Family Church Sunday
April 15th-May 20th-6-Week Spring Module
April 24th-25th-April Teen Adventure

Sunday School Youth Group teens join EQUIP class for a 6-week theology module: Doctrine of the Church

Theology Module (1)

Study of the Church

Question:

>Have you ever felt homesick?

>What did you realized you didn’t have when you were away from home that made you miss it?

What about church –

>If you stopped attending church for six months, what would you actually lose — really?

>Right now, who actually knows you well enough to encourage you, correct you, and walk with you?

Christ and His Church: Matthew 16:18

Vv. 18 – I (Jesus), Will (definite, effective), Build (progressive, constructive, Positive), My (possessive, personal, connected), Church (comprehensive, definite, unified)

Colossians 1:15-20

From Him, For Him, In Him, For Us, Forever With Him

Church — Ekklesia = “Called-out ones”

In the ancient world this referred to an assembly of citizens called together for a purpose.

Identity — A people belonging to Christ
Membership — Recognized participation in His body
Responsibility — Called to serve His mission
Privilege — Sharing in the life and kingdom of Christ

What is the church? Read: Acts 2:41–47

Visible AND Invisible <<<----->>> Local AND Universal

(Ephesians 2:17-22; 1 Corinthians 12:12–13; Acts 2:41–47).

What makes a church a church? Acts 2:41–47

Believers; committed; organized.

What marks a true church? Acts 2:41–47

Gospel preached, core doctrine held (Acts 2:42; Matt 16:16–18).
Ordinances present (Acts 2:41–42).

QUESTIONS:

When you look at Acts 2:41–47 and the idea that we were “created for Him and with others,” what is one way your current church involvement either reflects that or falls short of it?
If it’s true that in Christ you are both “held in Him” and “connected to His people,” where do you most resist either being known/cared for or using your gifts to build others up—and why?
Thinking about “all things directed toward forever together with Him,” what is one concrete rhythm (knowing Him, growing in Him, being built up/building up, connected/connecting, serving/being served) that you sense the Lord inviting you to take a next step in right now?

- Spiritual Warfare -

Know the Armor

Ephesians 6:16-20

1) Shield of Faith

Faith is active trust in God’s character and promises right when you’re under attack.

When anxiety spikes, faith doesn’t pretend; it trusts. 1 Peter 5:8–9 (resist, stand firm in faith).
When temptation hits, faith chooses God as better. Proverbs 3:5–6 (trust the Lord, don’t lean on your understanding).

2) Helmet of Salvation

The helmet guards the mind with identity and hope: “I belong to Jesus; my future is secure; sin doesn’t own me.”

The enemy targets thoughts: “You’ll never change,” “You’re alone,” “This is who you are.” 2 Corinthians 10:5 (take thoughts captive).
Salvation answers: “I’m Jesus’—I can repent, I can grow, I’m not trapped.” Romans 12:2 (renew your mind).

3) Sword of the Spirit - Word of God)

The Word is how you answer lies with truth and cut through confusion.

Don’t only read the Bible—use it. Hebrews 4:12 (Word is living and active).
Have 1–2 “go-to” verses for your most common temptations. Matthew 4:1–11 (Jesus answers temptation with Scripture).

4) Prayer (all kinds, all times)

Prayer is not a last resort; it’s how you depend on God continually.

Philippians 4:6–7 (pray instead of panic).
Psalm 51 (repentance prayer when you fail).

-Small Groups-

1) Identify your darts; raise the shield

Read: Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 5:8–9

>What are the “flaming darts” you face most (fear, lust, anger, insecurity, comparison, despair, bitterness)?

>What do those darts usually make you do next (hide, lash out, binge-scroll, compromise, isolate)?

>What would it look like to raise faith in the moment?

Practice (make a personal – Turn to God in PRAYER):

“Even if I feel ______, God I know __________, and I will ___________.”

2) Sword + prayer: a simple battle plan

Read: Ephesians 6:17–18; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 12:11

>If you had to pick one verse to fight your biggest temptation, what would it be?

>How can the Word help you “name the lie” and “answer with truth”?

>What is one way you can build prayer into your day (morning, hallway prayer, before bed, when tempted)?

Challenge:

Choose one “sword verse” to memorize this week.

Choose one testimony sentence you’ll live/say when pressured:

“I belong to Jesus, so I’m not doing that.”

“I’m done hiding; I’m turning back to God.”

“Christ forgives and changes people—including me.”

How does 1 Corinthians 10:13 give hope in temptation (God provides a way of escape)?