What is a Discovery Bible Study?

Discovery Bible Study, or DBS, is an intentional disciplemaking strategy that is simple and reproducible. It originated with David and Paul Watson. The Lord has used them to launch disciplemaking movements all over the world. You can check out some of their resources below.

HOW TO LEAD A DBS

It is best to do a DBS with a small group. Two to five people is good. Try to bring together people that already have relationships established. This will help with group dynamics, transparency in the discussion, and multiplication. When there are several people in a group there tends to be more observations and better discussion.

Choose a place that is familiar and comfortable for those in the group. It also needs to be somewhat free of distractions.

The goal of DBS is to be intentional to learn about God from His word and allow the Holy Spirit to be the teacher and guide. You will need to facilitate, however, the teacher and leader is the Holy Spirit. Make your prayer that those in the goup "discover" Jesus as you pursue Him together in the Word of God.

1. CONNECT

Ask everyone how they're doing. Ask how their "I Will" went last week. This is whatever they said they would do to apply what they learned in the DBS.

2. READ

Ask someone to read the passage for this week.

3. RETELL

Ask someone else to recap the story in their own words. Then invite other to share what was missed.

4. GOD

Ask: what does this tell us about God?

5. OURSELVES

Ask: What does this tell us about ourselves?

6. OBEY

Ask: How should we respond? Make this as specific as possible.

7. SHARE

Ask: Who can you share this with this week?

COACHING

WANT SOME HELP?

We offer training on how to get started. It begins with a workshop and continues with coaching. We'll help you:

Incorporate life-on-life discipleship
Cast vision
Cultivate healthy accountability
Navigate group dynamics
Craft good "Action Steps"
Work towards reproducing disciples

DBS VARIATIONS

Many disciplemaking ministries utilize DBS. Some include additional questions to the study. For example, one ministry adds:

What is making me happy this week?
What am I struggling with this week?

Contagious Disciplemaking adds these questions to the beginning of the study:

What are you thankful for this week?
What has stressed you out this week?
What are the needs in your community?

Each question helps to develop a habit in the life of those in the study. Choose which questions are best for your group and be considerate of how much time it will take to work through them. Remember, the goal is it connect with God through His Word, obey Him, and reach others.