DBS Facilitator Notes contain helpful guidelines for those facilitating a DBS as well as those training potential facilitators. These principles may seem counterintuitive, but they are crucial for multiplication. Make sure to cover them if you're facilitating a DBS, or training someone to do DBS.
FOR THOSE FACILITATING A DBS
Value Groups: Gatherings of three or more create a unique dynamic that one-on-one meetings do not offer. They foster greater engagement, promote accountability, and provide increased support. Groups enhance learning through shared insights, help prevent errors through collective wisdom, and offer mutual encouragement.
Ask All the DBS Questions: It’s crucial to cover all the questions during discussions to foster community, spark personal discovery, and promote group multiplication. If your group becomes weary of the "What can I do?" question, it may be a sign that it's time to go through Launch together. Likewise, if the group tires of the "Who can I tell?" question, it might be time to incorporate regular Prayer Walks as part of your group’s activities.
Don’t Teach: This is critical. Rather than lecture, guide discussions (facilitate) by asking questions so participants discover truths for themselves. People learn far more through self-discovery than they do by direct teaching from others. This approach accelerates learning, creates dependence on the Holy Spirit, and instills confidence in participants to facilitate their own groups. Facilitate in a way that inspires others to say, "Hey, I can do this." Be ready to reinforce the "no teaching" principle when necessary, especially with believers who have previous small group experience.
Encourage Discussion: This is especially helpful for groups reluctant to talk, or groups that already have a basic understanding of the content. For instance, "What does verse three say about God?" or "Why is this so?" or "How does this apply to your life?" Ask application questions to deepen discussion. See Follow Up Questions for more info.
Share the Facilitator Role: Encourage the facilitator to involve others as question askers. This shows that anyone can guide the group, building confidence and promoting multiplication. Use your device to stay on track. Start meetings with DBS question #1, not prayer requests, to maintain focus.
Stay Small to Grow Big: Keep groups small (3-6 people). When a group grows larger, start new groups. Ensure meetings start and end on time, allowing for mingling after the formal ending to build relationships.
Keep things simple, so existing groups can quickly start new groups, which in turn start even more groups. The goal is the natural, continual formation of new Discovery Groups.
FOR THOSE TRAINING FACILITATORS
Start as an Outsider: Whenever possible, begin by training a new facilitator one-on-one, separate from the group. Typically, after three meetings, the individual is well-prepared to start leading their own group. From the second training session onward, allow the potential facilitator to lead the DBS. Try to cover DBS Story Sets. After training, transition to a coaching role. For more details on how to continue training from outside the group, refer to Coach.
Limit Inside Training: If it's necessary to train from inside the group, don't do so more than three times. Doing so will identify you as the leader and prevent multiplication because people will think they need your level of Bible knowledge and leadership skills.
Resources
- See DMM Resources
1. Paul Watson: "Small Groups that have the DNA of a Disciple Making Movement."
2. David Watson, "What About Teaching in Disciple Making Movements?"
3. The "no teaching" principle is specifically limited to DBS in Discovery Groups to promote multiplication. This approach encourages self-discovery, fostering deeper personal engagement with Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit. However, there is ample room for teaching and other forms of instruction in other settings, such as coaching sessions, large group gatherings, and more. The "no teaching" concept does not apply to DMM as a whole. The Book of Acts provides plenty of evidence of teaching, preaching, proclamation, and even public debate (Acts 2:40, 4:2, 18:28, 28:31).
4 Derek Seipp, Poised for Growth: First Century Methods Fueled Early Church Movement.
2. David Watson, "What About Teaching in Disciple Making Movements?"
3. The "no teaching" principle is specifically limited to DBS in Discovery Groups to promote multiplication. This approach encourages self-discovery, fostering deeper personal engagement with Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit. However, there is ample room for teaching and other forms of instruction in other settings, such as coaching sessions, large group gatherings, and more. The "no teaching" concept does not apply to DMM as a whole. The Book of Acts provides plenty of evidence of teaching, preaching, proclamation, and even public debate (Acts 2:40, 4:2, 18:28, 28:31).
4 Derek Seipp, Poised for Growth: First Century Methods Fueled Early Church Movement.