SERMON SERIES

Practicing the Way

Galatians 5:22-23

Apprenticeship to Jesus — Be with Him, Become like Him, Do as He did
Inspired by John Mark Comer

August

16

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: The Crisis of Discipleship

Text: Matthew 7:21–27

Big Idea: There’s a growing gap between calling ourselves Christians and actually following Jesus.

  • Knowing vs. doing
  • Cultural Christianity vs. true discipleship
  • The cost of shallow faith
  • Why this series matters now


“Many admire Jesus. Few apprentice under Him.”

August

23

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: The Invitation: Follow Me

Text: Matthew 4:18–22

Big Idea: Jesus didn’t invite people to believe ideas—He invited them to follow Him.

  • What an apprentice is
  • Reordering life around a rabbi
  • Whole-life discipleship


Practice: Daily 5-minute stillness: “I am here with You.”

August

30

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: Be With Jesus

Text: John 15:1–8

Big Idea: You cannot become like Jesus without being with Jesus.

  • Abiding vs. achieving
  • Relationship before obedience
  • The root of spiritual life


Practice: Set a daily 10-minute time with God

September

6

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: Eliminate Hurry

Text: Luke 10:38–42

Big Idea: Hurry is one of the greatest barriers to spiritual formation.

  • Busyness vs. fruitfulness
  • Why love requires time
  • Jesus’ unhurried life

 

Practice (choose one):

  • Slow down one daily activity
  • Arrive early
  • Reduce screen time

September

13

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: Be Formed, Not Conformed

Text: Romans 12:1–2

Big Idea: You are always being formed—either by the world or by Jesus.

  • Cultural discipleship (media, habits, pace)
  • Intentional formation
  • Transformation as a process


Practice: Do a “formation audit” of your week

September

20

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: Scripture as Formation

Text: Psalm 1

Big Idea: Scripture is meant to shape us, not just inform us.

  • Meditation vs. consumption
  • Slowing down with God’s Word
  • Internalizing truth


Practice: Lectio Divina (Read, Reflect, Respond, Rest)

September

27

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: Prayer as Presence

Text: Matthew 6:5–13

Big Idea: Prayer is about being with God, not impressing Him.

  • Breaking performance mindset
  • The Lord’s Prayer as a pattern
  • Conversational prayer


Practice: Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly each day

October

4

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title:Community & Confession

Text: James 5:16; Acts 2:42–47

Big Idea: Transformation happens in community, not isolation.

  • The myth of solo Christianity
  • Healing through confession
  • Authentic relationships


Practice: Share honestly with one trusted person

October

11

Dr. David Hughes

Sermon Title: Living the Way (Rule of Life)

Text: Luke 6:40

Big Idea: Your system (rhythms) determines your spiritual outcome.

  • What a Rule of Life is
  • Designing your life around Jesus
  • Sustainability over intensity


Practice: Create a simple personal rhythm:

  • Daily (time with God)
  • Weekly (rest/worship/community)
  • Monthly (reflection/reset)

Dr. David Hughes

Senior Pastor

Dr. David Hughes accepted the call to the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Carrollton in January 2022. David’s formation is in thanks to many fine schools, employers, churches, and his family. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at Furman University (2005), a Master of Divinity from Erskine Theological Seminary (2018) and a Doctor of Ministry at McAfee School of Theology in Church Leadership and Administration (2023). Before accepting the call to ministry in 2011, David worked for six years for non-profits in Greenville, South Carolina and Patagonia, Chile. Previously, he served as the minister to students at First Baptist Church of Augusta (2018 – 2021) and Easley First Baptist Church (2011 – 2018). Married to Rebecca in 2006, David’s amazing wife is a constant source of love, encouragement, and partnership in the ministry. The two of them welcomed their daughter Maggie in 2012 and now watch with amazement as their precious daughter continues to grow and develop. David believes firmly that The Church is a place of invitation for all where lives can be transformed by The Gospel of Jesus Christ. His passion is to create vision and lead God’s people to express the love of Christ in the world.