LEad your own Discovery Bible Study

 

The advantage of facilitating a group rather than teaching:

  1. Listening more and talking less helps build rapport and trust with the group members

  2. Group leaders feel more comfortable leading the discussion in this way (especially those who have less experience with leading groups)

  3. It encourages personal Bible study outside of the small group gatherings

  4. The additional discussions about personal experiences, challenges and beliefs will help group members bond and support each other on a deeper level

  5. It has the potential to grow more leaders in the small group

 

How to Design and Use a Discovery Bible Study

Discovery Bible Studies are a tool that is growing the church and multiplying believers all over the world. It is a tool that has been used over the past 25 years and is extremely popular in church-hostile nations.

The Scripture passage for this week:

  • 1 Peter 5:10-11 (5/12/24)

What is a DBS?

  • Small group that meets weekly (in person or on zoom) for about 45-60 minutes

  • It typically lasts a minimum of 4-6 weeks

  • Study one topic from a Biblical Perspective

  • The Goal is to win, disciple, and multiply believers

A Typical DBS Has These Components:

  • Connection Questions: 

    • What are you thankful for? 

    • What is a challenge you are facing? 

    • How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

  • Read together a short passage of Scripture (4-10 vs) that addresses the topic

  • Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

  • The group then offers individual answers to Five Questions (It is okay for anyone to "pass" on a question if they don't want to answer):

    • What stands out to you?

    • What does this passage tell us about people?

    • What does this passage tell us about God?

    • Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

    • Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Tips to Keep in Mind and Practice:

  • Always be open to adding friends as you go

  • Ask for weekly reports on the action item and conversation with a friend, but don’t discourage or shame those who fail

  • Pray over the names of the people with whom they are having their conversations (privately, not in the group) and encourage them to do the same

  • Prepare the next study while you’re doing this one, so you can offer a sequel after a few weeks off

  • Pray in every meeting, but never ask someone to lead the group in prayer unless they agree in advance to do so.

  • If you spot a leader in the group, let them facilitate the process once in a while so they grow comfortable with the idea of starting their own group

Please share when and where you are doing your Discovery Bible Study with John (john.osborne@evergreenpnw.com) so we can make them available for people to participate

Looking for additional resources to continue your Discovery Bible Studies? Check out this link for suggested topics and Scripture passages: