Question #1: What is something you are thankful for since our last meeting?
Asking this question gives the group an easy way to get started, and everyone can come up with something to say, even the introverts.
Notice that we don’t start with prayer. Christian groups start with prayer; those who are far from God don’t. We don’t ask lost people to bow their heads and pray. We don’t explain what prayer is. We don’t have a lecture about this being an important part of group DNA. Instead, we introduce this simple question and allow each member of the group to share.
Often in a group of pre-Christians, once the group is going, it’s likely that someone will begin to connect gratitude to God, as the source of all blessings. This becomes a perfect learning moment. The facilitator can then point out what the group has shared that they are thankful for and that prayer is just telling God the same thing.
The facilitator can just start the group over and say, “Let’s tell God what we’re thankful for.”
Notice that we don’t start with prayer. Christian groups start with prayer; those who are far from God don’t. We don’t ask lost people to bow their heads and pray. We don’t explain what prayer is. We don’t have a lecture about this being an important part of group DNA. Instead, we introduce this simple question and allow each member of the group to share.
Often in a group of pre-Christians, once the group is going, it’s likely that someone will begin to connect gratitude to God, as the source of all blessings. This becomes a perfect learning moment. The facilitator can then point out what the group has shared that they are thankful for and that prayer is just telling God the same thing.
The facilitator can just start the group over and say, “Let’s tell God what we’re thankful for.”
question 2: what has been stressful for you since our last meeting?
This question steers participants toward sharing with and caring for one another on a deeper level. Many people outside the Church may never have experienced small-group dynamics that include opening their hearts, being vulnerable and creating close connections.
Asking a North American this question, however, can lead to a 30-minute answer. This is not a support group, so answers shouldn’t be long and drawn out. This is one time when it may be beneficial for you to answer the question first, providing a model for how it should be done. Remember, because a Discovery Group is made up of people who have a pre-existing relationship, they can talk in more depth outside of the group.
The suggested approach is to ask people (and remind them, if needed) to share in sentences not paragraphs.
If you are leading a group of believers, each person can share in the form of a prayer, or someone can pray over all of the shared concerns to wrap up this question. With a group of non-believers, as they discover prayer in the Scriptures, the facilitator can help the group gradually begin to practice it by saying “In the same way that you shared with each other, now you can share those same things with God. Let’s do that now.”
Occasionally, a group member will have an issue that requires the facilitator to put aside the passage from the Bible. In these moments, it is appropriate to be transparent and take the pressure of getting into the Bible passage off the group. If this happens frequently, though, you probably have a group member whose motivation to be in the group is not to hear from God but again a hearing for his or her problems.
Asking a North American this question, however, can lead to a 30-minute answer. This is not a support group, so answers shouldn’t be long and drawn out. This is one time when it may be beneficial for you to answer the question first, providing a model for how it should be done. Remember, because a Discovery Group is made up of people who have a pre-existing relationship, they can talk in more depth outside of the group.
The suggested approach is to ask people (and remind them, if needed) to share in sentences not paragraphs.
If you are leading a group of believers, each person can share in the form of a prayer, or someone can pray over all of the shared concerns to wrap up this question. With a group of non-believers, as they discover prayer in the Scriptures, the facilitator can help the group gradually begin to practice it by saying “In the same way that you shared with each other, now you can share those same things with God. Let’s do that now.”
Occasionally, a group member will have an issue that requires the facilitator to put aside the passage from the Bible. In these moments, it is appropriate to be transparent and take the pressure of getting into the Bible passage off the group. If this happens frequently, though, you probably have a group member whose motivation to be in the group is not to hear from God but again a hearing for his or her problems.
Question #1: What is something you are thankful for this past week?
Have you experienced something good in your life?
Question #2: What has stressed you out this week?
What is hard, difficult or challenging?
Question #3: How can we respond to what was just shared in our group, and the needs of those in our area?
How can we demonstrate love and care for each other and the people around us?
Question #4: What was the result of your "I will" statement from the last meeting?
This question applies to the second meeting and every meeting thereafter.
Question #1: What is something you are thankful for this past week?
Have you experienced something good in your life?
Question #2: What has stressed you out this week?
What is hard, difficult or challenging?
Question #3: How can we respond to what was just shared in our group, and the needs of those in our area?
How can we demonstrate love and care for each other and the people around us?
Question #4: What was the result of your "I will" statement from the last meeting?
This question applies to the second meeting and every meeting thereafter.
If you believed this was from God, what would you have to chance about the way you live?"
If this is your first time doing a DBS, consider choosing a story from the DBS Story Set, then doing a DBS. Then after doing a DBS, read the DBS Facilitator Notes. Reading them beforehand can be confusing.
Coaching is where teaching can take place. Free online resources include: GotQuestions.org, Bibleref.com, Biblia.com.
If this is your first time doing a DBS, consider choosing a story from the DBS Story Set, then doing a DBS. Then after doing a DBS, read the DBS Facilitator Notes. Reading them beforehand can be confusing.
Coaching is where teaching can take place. Free online resources include: GotQuestions.org, Bibleref.com, Biblia.com.
Ask follow up questions. For most groups, the basic DBS questions are sufficient. However, some groups may eventually benefit from discussing secondary questions. This is especially true if the group is composed of mature believers and has met together over time. One way to develop good follow up questions is to choose a word or phrase from the answer to a basic question and form a personalized application question. See below for examples from Mark 2:1-12. The first line is the answer to the question, "What does the story say about Jesus and people?" The second line is a potential follow up question.
Ask for an explanation to questions that are answered with a yes or no response.
Ask questions that direct people to the passage to find answers. For instance, "What other verses in the story might help answer that question?"
Regardless of the follow-up questions, make sure to circle back and ask for an "I will" response.
- Homes are a key place where people experience Jesus Christ. Mark 2:1
What role did/does home-based ministry play in your spiritual life? - People of faith are involved in bringing unforgiven people to Jesus. Mark 2:3
Explain who helped bring you to Jesus? - Jesus placed a greater priority on forgiveness than healing. Mark 2:5
Why might Jesus be more interested in forgiving you than healing you? - Jesus proves his identity to people. Mark 2:10
How did Jesus prove his identity to you? - A true encounter with Jesus is unlike anything else. Mark 2:12
When is the last time Jesus truly amazed you?
Ask for an explanation to questions that are answered with a yes or no response.
Ask questions that direct people to the passage to find answers. For instance, "What other verses in the story might help answer that question?"
Regardless of the follow-up questions, make sure to circle back and ask for an "I will" response.