Discovery Bible Study is a simple, question-driven way to explore Scripture together. It’s designed for ordinary people—no training, experience, or teaching ability required. If you can gather a few friends, read a short passage, and ask a few honest questions. You can do this!
How to get started:
Grab a few friends
Two or three is enough. Meet with people you already know—friends, family, coworkers, neighbors.
Choose a regular time and place
A living room, a coffee shop, a lunch table, or a kitchen works just fine. Keep it simple.
Ask the questions below
Let everyone respond.
Read the passage together
Take turns reading. Listen carefully. No one needs to explain anything.
Decide on one small step
Each person chooses something simple to do and someone to share it with before the next meeting.
That’s it.
You’ve started a Discovery Bible Study.
How to get started:
Grab a few friends
Two or three is enough. Meet with people you already know—friends, family, coworkers, neighbors.
Choose a regular time and place
A living room, a coffee shop, a lunch table, or a kitchen works just fine. Keep it simple.
Ask the questions below
Let everyone respond.
Read the passage together
Take turns reading. Listen carefully. No one needs to explain anything.
Decide on one small step
Each person chooses something simple to do and someone to share it with before the next meeting.
That’s it.
You’ve started a Discovery Bible Study.
COMMUNITY TIME
Start by helping everyone settle in and connect. There’s no rush. Let the conversation breathe.
Question 1
What are you thankful for since the last time you met?
What good things have you noticed?
Who are you grateful for right now?
What are you thankful for since the last time you met?
What good things have you noticed?
Who are you grateful for right now?
Question 2
What has been challenging since the last time you met?
What has felt hard, stressful, or discouraging—for you or for someone close to you?
What has been challenging since the last time you met?
What has felt hard, stressful, or discouraging—for you or for someone close to you?
Question 3
What passage did you read last time, and how did your “I will” go?
What was the story about last session?
What did you do?
Who did you share with?
This is a time to notice and celebrate steps of obedience.
Grace matters—and so does following through.
If, as a group, no one took a step, read the same passage again. There’s always more to discover.
What passage did you read last time, and how did your “I will” go?
What was the story about last session?
What did you do?
Who did you share with?
This is a time to notice and celebrate steps of obedience.
Grace matters—and so does following through.
If, as a group, no one took a step, read the same passage again. There’s always more to discover.
Transition Time
Pause and pay attention.
Is this a moment for the leader to give thanks?
Don’t rush it.
Respond as the Spirit leads.
Pause and pay attention.
Is this a moment for the leader to give thanks?
Don’t rush it.
Respond as the Spirit leads.
BIBLE TIME
This is where you slow down and listen together.
Let the Scripture speak for itself.
Read the passage
Read the passage aloud two times. Use the same translation, or two different ones if that’s helpful.
Everyone should be able to see the text.
Read the passage aloud two times. Use the same translation, or two different ones if that’s helpful.
Everyone should be able to see the text.
Retell the passage
Ask someone to share the story in their own words, from memory.
The group can gently help by:
This helps everyone listen more carefully to what the Scripture says.
Ask someone to share the story in their own words, from memory.
The group can gently help by:
- Adding anything that was missed
- Noting anything that wasn’t actually in the passage
This helps everyone listen more carefully to what the Scripture says.
Review the passage.
Look at the passage together
With the passage open, ask these two questions.
Look at the passage together
With the passage open, ask these two questions.
Question 4
What does this passage say about God?
What do you notice about God—Father, Son, or Holy Spirit?
Stick closely to what the passage shows.
What does this passage say about God?
What do you notice about God—Father, Son, or Holy Spirit?
Stick closely to what the passage shows.
Question 5
What does this passage say about people?
What do you see about people—their actions, responses, needs, or struggles?
Let the passage guide the answers.
What does this passage say about people?
What do you see about people—their actions, responses, needs, or struggles?
Let the passage guide the answers.
A gentle reminder
You’re not here to teach or explain. You’re here to help people notice what the Scripture says.
If the group stays close to the text, you’re doing it right.
You’re not here to teach or explain. You’re here to help people notice what the Scripture says.
If the group stays close to the text, you’re doing it right.
ACTION TIME
This is where you decide how to respond to what you’ve discovered.
Keep it simple and doable.
Share your responses as an “I will…” statement.
Question 6
As you reflect on the story and our time together, what is one thing God is asking you to do before our next meeting?
Make it:
You don’t need to start something new every week. Continuing a good practice already in your life still counts as obedience.
Be ready to share how it went when you meet next time.
As you reflect on the story and our time together, what is one thing God is asking you to do before our next meeting?
Make it:
- Simple
- Specific
- Something others could see or notice
You don’t need to start something new every week. Continuing a good practice already in your life still counts as obedience.
Be ready to share how it went when you meet next time.
Question 7
Who would be encouraged to hear this story from you before our next meeting?
Try to name someone.
If you’ve already shared with people close to you, stay open.
God may bring someone new across your path.
Who would be encouraged to hear this story from you before our next meeting?
Try to name someone.
If you’ve already shared with people close to you, stay open.
God may bring someone new across your path.
A gentle encouragement
You don’t need to force anything.
Just pay attention, be willing, and take the next small step.
That’s enough.
You don’t need to force anything.
Just pay attention, be willing, and take the next small step.
That’s enough.
Resources
- View Story Sets. Bible stories for discovery and discussion.
- View Facilitator Tips. Simple reminders to help guide with confidence.
- View Follow-Up Questions. Helpful prompts to spark conversation.
- View FARM conversation. A simple way to start a spiritual conversation with anyone, anywhere.
- View Prayer Walk. What to do when you've shared with the people you already know.
- View Waha app
- Watch What is DBS and What Makes It Different? (3:00)
- Watch Helping Others Discover God Thru DBS (4:42)
- Watch Discovery Groups (11:03)
- Watch Discovery Bible Study (8:16)
- Watch Discovery Bible Study Overview (7:58)