The DBS Facilitator Notes provide vital information for guiding a Discovery Group. In some ways, they will seem counterintuitive. Therefore become familiar with the principles listed below. They are essential to seeing community, discovery, and multiplication take place.
Ask all seven questions. They produce community, create discovery, and generate multiplication. Don't skip any or leave any out. Questions #1-4 from community. Questions #5 & #6 are where discovery takes place. Question #7 is where multiplication occurs.
Ask all seven questions. They produce community, create discovery, and generate multiplication. Don't skip any or leave any out. Questions #1-4 from community. Questions #5 & #6 are where discovery takes place. Question #7 is where multiplication occurs.
PART 1: COMMUNITY
Questions #1 & #2: What are you thankful for this past week? What has stressed you out this week?
If your group is pressed for time, combine the first two questions into one question, "What are you thankful for, and what is stressing you out this week?" The same holds for questions #5 & #6. But don't rush the answers. Leave time for people to respond.
Question #3: How can we respond to what our group just shared and the needs of those in our area?
Let the group decide how to answer. Options may include brainstorming, sharing resources, and prayer.
Question #4: What resulted from your "I will" statement from the last meeting?
Hold the group accountable for answering this question. Fulfilling the previous "I will" statement is so crucial that if the group did not carry out the "I will" statements of the prior meeting, it should not move ahead but instead study the previous passage again. There will always be more truths to harvest. Most groups need to do this on occasion. Not moving ahead if they don't fulfill the "I will" statements reinforces obedience-based disciple making. It is critical to establish that paradigm.
If your group is pressed for time, combine the first two questions into one question, "What are you thankful for, and what is stressing you out this week?" The same holds for questions #5 & #6. But don't rush the answers. Leave time for people to respond.
Question #3: How can we respond to what our group just shared and the needs of those in our area?
Let the group decide how to answer. Options may include brainstorming, sharing resources, and prayer.
Question #4: What resulted from your "I will" statement from the last meeting?
Hold the group accountable for answering this question. Fulfilling the previous "I will" statement is so crucial that if the group did not carry out the "I will" statements of the prior meeting, it should not move ahead but instead study the previous passage again. There will always be more truths to harvest. Most groups need to do this on occasion. Not moving ahead if they don't fulfill the "I will" statements reinforces obedience-based disciple making. It is critical to establish that paradigm.
PART 2: DISCOVERY
Questions #5 and #6. What do we learn about God and people?
Facilitate, don't teach. Assist discovery by sticking to the DBS questions. Then affirm and celebrate answers. This may feel unfamiliar to those with previous Bible study experience, but there are good reasons. First, when the leader provides answers, it intimidates the group from doing a DBS with others because they think they need to know what the leader knows to begin their own group. Hence, multiplication doesn't occur. Second, people remember what they discover on their own far more than what is taught by others. The lecture format has a very low retention rate.1 Comprehension increases when leaders facilitate (guide with questions) instead of teaching.2
Let the Holy Spirit be the teacher. John 14:26 Direct people to Scripture for the answers. Let the Bible teach the Bible. The Holy Spirit's primary teaching tool is Scripture. Modeling this in the first generation of a group encourages the following generations to do the same. If someone asks a question not answered in the passage, direct them to search the Scriptures before and after it.
Help believers adhere to this principle. Remind Christians with Bible knowledge to let the Holy Spirit serve as the teacher. Be ready to guide the conversation in this direction.
Model a transferable format. Think beyond your present group. Consider generations two, three, and four. The paradigm you use in the first generation is the DNA for the following ones. If your participation and knowledge are required, multiplication won't occur because you can't be present everywhere. Model a format that allows anyone (even an unbeliever) to facilitate a group.
Guide with questions. If there is considerable silence after questions #5 and #6, be prepared to ask observational questions. For instance, "Do you see anything about God (or people) in verse _____?"
Don't extract people from their natural group. Instead, encourage them to remain involved with their own people and facilitate discussion. It does not matter if they are a believer. Anyone can facilitate the group by asking questions.
Coach the facilitator from outside the group. Meet separately to debrief the previous meeting and prepare for an upcoming one.
If you must facilitate a new group in person, don't do so more than three times. Use that time to identify the natural leader and hand over the role of facilitator as soon as possible. Facilitating the group from the inside long-term displaces the natural leader and limits reproduction because they think it requires you to be present.
Facilitate, don't teach. Assist discovery by sticking to the DBS questions. Then affirm and celebrate answers. This may feel unfamiliar to those with previous Bible study experience, but there are good reasons. First, when the leader provides answers, it intimidates the group from doing a DBS with others because they think they need to know what the leader knows to begin their own group. Hence, multiplication doesn't occur. Second, people remember what they discover on their own far more than what is taught by others. The lecture format has a very low retention rate.1 Comprehension increases when leaders facilitate (guide with questions) instead of teaching.2
Let the Holy Spirit be the teacher. John 14:26 Direct people to Scripture for the answers. Let the Bible teach the Bible. The Holy Spirit's primary teaching tool is Scripture. Modeling this in the first generation of a group encourages the following generations to do the same. If someone asks a question not answered in the passage, direct them to search the Scriptures before and after it.
Help believers adhere to this principle. Remind Christians with Bible knowledge to let the Holy Spirit serve as the teacher. Be ready to guide the conversation in this direction.
Model a transferable format. Think beyond your present group. Consider generations two, three, and four. The paradigm you use in the first generation is the DNA for the following ones. If your participation and knowledge are required, multiplication won't occur because you can't be present everywhere. Model a format that allows anyone (even an unbeliever) to facilitate a group.
Guide with questions. If there is considerable silence after questions #5 and #6, be prepared to ask observational questions. For instance, "Do you see anything about God (or people) in verse _____?"
Don't extract people from their natural group. Instead, encourage them to remain involved with their own people and facilitate discussion. It does not matter if they are a believer. Anyone can facilitate the group by asking questions.
Coach the facilitator from outside the group. Meet separately to debrief the previous meeting and prepare for an upcoming one.
If you must facilitate a new group in person, don't do so more than three times. Use that time to identify the natural leader and hand over the role of facilitator as soon as possible. Facilitating the group from the inside long-term displaces the natural leader and limits reproduction because they think it requires you to be present.
PART 3: MULTIPLICATION
Question #7: How will you respond to the passage this week?
Ask people to declare their "I will" statement aloud, and write it down so they remember it for the next meeting. Multiplication only occurs as people fulfill the "I will" statements. It's that simple.
Resources
- See DMM Resources
- David Watson, What About Teaching in Disciple Making Movements?
- Read Paul Watson's helpful quote from the following article.