Welcome to Launch, a multi-session training designed to equip believers with the basic skills for making disciples who, in turn, make more disciples. Launch follows a straightforward disciple-making process: Pray, Find a Person of Peace, Teach them Discovery Bible Study (DBS), and Coach them to Multiply. Here’s what makes Launch unique:

Focus on Unbelievers: Launch is aimed at equipping believers to reach unsaved friends, family, neighbors, and others. The primary goal is to build relationships with unbelievers.

Emphasis on Application: Each session includes an Action Step to ensure participants put disciple-making principles into practice. Following sessions begin by asking about the previous Action Step. 

Closed Format: Launch operates as a closed event due to its sequential format. Participants are encouraged to start their own Discovery Groups with interested friends during the training to promote multiplication from the outset.

Small Groups: Launch is most effective with 3-6 individuals per group. For larger groups, plan smaller breakout sessions to foster deeper connections and personalized guidance.

New Paradigm: Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is new wine that requires new wineskins (Mark 2:22). In other words, it's a new concept that requires a new structure. DBS is not merely a small group curriculum; it is a tool designed to launch a multiplying disciple-making movement. It is fundamentally different because it is obedience-based, whereas most existing small groups follow a knowledge-based approach. When DBS is introduced into existing small groups, it can encounter resistance, particularly due to its built-in accountability and the emphasis on obedience. For this reason, it’s often best to start DBS separate from existing small groups.

Furthermore, when dropped into a pre-existing small group ministry, over time there’s a tendency to water down DBS by skipping key elements, such as not asking all the questions. Hence, DBS can be perceived as just another curriculum, which is eventually replaced by the next popular material. 

Leader Tips

  • Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the tools and content in the sessions to enhance the experience for everyone.

  • Invitation: Invite 3-6 individuals eager to become disciple-makers.

  • Management: Ensure attendance at all sessions, start meetings on time, and adhere to the 90-minute session schedule. Begin with an opening prayer to maintain momentum, avoiding prayer requests. Guide the conversation to keep it focused and timely. Share the leader role by encouraging participants to lead a session. For in-person meetings, consider having a refreshment time afterward to build camaraderie​

  • Reflection: Allocate time for debriefing at the end of each meeting to reflect, address questions, and view relevant videos. If videos cannot be shown during the session, encourage participants to watch them between meetings.
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  • Coaching: Ongoing coaching is crucial for multiplication. Review Coach and plan to invite Launch participants to coaching by the end of the final session.
SESSION 1: PRAYER

Introduction: (5 minutes). The purposes of this session are two-fold: first is to learn the four steps in the disciple making process as stated on the Welcome page. Second is to establish the importance of prayer in disciple making movements (DMM). 
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Task: (10 minutes)

​Read aloud in unison the four action steps (in italics) of the disciple making process as stated below. Note, it is helpful to use hand signals.
  • Step 1: Pray (hands together like praying)
  • Step 2: Find a Person of Peace (hand over brow like looking)
  • Step 3: Teach them Discovery Bible Study (DBS) (hands open like a book)
  • Step 4: Coach for Multiplication (hand touching mouth and ear like a baseball coach giving signals)

Read Pray. 

Activity: (45 minutes) Spend dedicated time praying together as a group with a focus on disciple making. Take your time, and don't feel pressured to get through the entire list. Embrace silence and pray as you are led by the Spirit.

  1. Pray with Thanksgiving: Start by thanking God for the impact disciple-making has had on your life. Reflect on those who discipled you and those you are discipling. Praise God for the relationships that have brought you closer to Him.

  2. Pray the DMM Prayer: Ask God to use you to start a disciple making movement (DMM). Note: we will cover these elements in depth in future sessions. 

    Ask God to increase your devotion to disciple-making prayer. 
    Ask God to guide you to a person of peace; someone who wants to know more about Jesus. 
    Ask God to help you teach them a simple resource called a Discovery Bible Study (DBS). 
    Ask God to use you to coach them by guiding and encouraging them to multiply. 
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  3. Pray with Scripture:​ Choose any passage from Acts to fuel your prayers for disciple-making. Let the stories of the early church inspire you to pray. When you finish praying over one passage, select another. Continue this until your time of prayer concludes. 
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Debrief: (30 Minutes) Watch Prayer (9:55). Discuss your thoughts about the group prayer time.

​Action Step: Practice learning the four steps of DMM. Pray the DMM prayer this week. You will be asked to share your experience in the next session. 
SESSION 2. FINDING A PERSON OF PEACE

​Review (10 minutes) Review the four steps of the disciple making process using hand signals. Briefly share your experience praying the DMM Prayer. 

Introduction: (5 minutes) The aim of this session is to show you how to identify a Person of Peace (POP). A Person of Peace is someone who is open to conversation, receptive to spiritual questions, listens to Bible stories, and is eager to share these stories with others. Identifying a POP is crucial for starting and growing disciple-making movements (DMM). There are generally two ways to engage people: situationally and intentionally. This session will focus on FARM Conversation, a resource for situational engagement (as you go). Prayer Walk is used for engaging people intentionally.

Task: (15 minutes): Read FARM Conversation.

Activity: (45 minutes): Practice the FARM conversation as a group. Enjoy the interaction, but keep responses brief to fit within the session time. For the sake of time, let's assume you already discussed Family, Academics/Occupation and Recreation questions. Therefore, start with the Message questions. Answer genuinely and enjoy the process.  

Their Story

One group member asks another, "It's been great learning about your personal background. Could you share a bit about your spiritual background?"

The person who just answered, then asks another, "Do you have a faith journey? If so, could you describe it?" Or "Does Jesus play a role in your life, and if so, how does He influence you?"

Your Story

Share the 15 second testimony: Another group member shares their 15-second testimony: "At one point in my life, I was ___________ and _____________. Then I encountered Jesus, trusted in Him, and made Him number one in my life. Now, I _____________ and _______________. Have you had a similar experience?"

Share your missional identity: This is important as it will likely come up and can lead to disciple making relationships.

  • Scenario 1: Someone asks another, "What do you do?" That person responds with, "I help people discover the peace and hope* of following Jesus. Is that something you would like to know more about?" *Choose any two words.

  • Scenario 2: For those who identify as believers in the previous scenario: Another responds, “I show the followers of Jesus how to make disciples who make disciples. Is that something you’d like to know more about?” Don’t overlook believers who are seeking more than what they are currently experiencing in their Christian life.

God’s Story

One group member asks, "May I share an encouraging story from the Bible with you?" Read Mark 2:1-12. Ask what is said about God and people.

Finally, ask, "Would you be interested in sharing this story and questions with friends and family?" 

Debrief: (15 minutes): Watch Vision (9:45). Evaluate the FARM conversation as a tool.

Action Steps: Continue praying the DMM Prayers. Have as much of a FARM conversation as you can with someone you meet during the upcoming week. You will be asked to share your experience the following session. 
SESSION 3. DBS (Part 1)

Review (15 minutes) Review the four steps of the disciple making process using hand signals. Briefly share your experience praying the DMM Prayer and having a FARM conversation. . 

​Introduction: The purpose of this session is to introduce Discovery Bible Study (DBS). 

Task: (15 minutes): Read Discovery Bible Study (DBS) and review DBS Story Sets.

Activity: (45 minutes) Conduct the short version DBS. Use story #1 in the DBS Story Sets. 

Debrief: (15 minutes) Watch Discovery Bible Study (3:00). Evaluate the DBS resource and answer any questions. 

Action Steps: Continue to pray the DMM Prayer, having all or part of a FARM conversation with someone, and do your "I will" statements. You will asked to share your experiences the next session. 
SESSION 4. DBS (Part 2)

Review: (15 minutes) Review the four steps of the disciple making process using hand signals. Briefly share your experience praying the DMM Prayer, and having a FARM conversation. 

Introduction: The purpose of this session is to deepen your understanding of Discovery Bible Study (DBS). 

Task: (15 minutes) Read DBS Facilitator Notes. If necessary, review DBS by reading the bold print only. 

Activity: (45 minutes) Conduct the short version DBS. Use story #2 from DBS Story Sets. 

Debrief (15 minutes). Watch Discovery Bible Study Overview (7:58). Evaluate DBS and answer any questions.

Action Steps: Continue to pray the DMM Prayer, having all or part of a FARM conversation, and do your "I will" statements.
SESSION 5. DBS (Part 3)

Review:(15 minutes): Review the four steps of the disciple making process, share about praying the DMM Prayer, and having a FARM conversation.

Introduction: The purpose of this session is to continue to deepen your understanding of Discovery Bible Study (DBS). 

Task: (15 minutes) Read DBS Follow Up Questions. If necessary, review DBS by reading the bold print. 

Activity: (45 minutes) Conduct the short version DBS. Use story #3 from DBS Story Sets. Formulate a follow up question along with answers. 

Debrief: (15 minutes) Watch Discovery Bible Study (8:16). Evaluate and answer any questions. 

Action Steps: Continue to pray the DMM Prayer, having all or part of a FARM conversation, and do your "I will" statements.
SESSION 6. ONE THING STUDY

Review: (15 minutes): Review the four steps of making disciple makers, share about praying the DMM Prayer, and having a FARM conversation, share how your "I will" statements went. 

Introduction: The purpose of this session is to introduce a simple,  powerful devotional tool called the One Thing Study. 

Task: (15 minutes) Read One Thing Study.

Activity (45 Minutes) Practice One Thing Study. As a group, choose a passage of Scripture and have someone read it aloud. Then read the passage again silently. Take a few minutes to identify your "One Thing"—a word, phrase, or sentence that speaks to your heart and that you believe God wants you to respond to. Have one person share their "One Thing" with the group, explaining why it resonated with them. Then, another person prays for them before sharing their "One Thing" and being prayed for. Repeat this process until everyone has shared and been prayed for.

Debrief: (15 Minutes) Evaluate the One Thing Study. Watch The Bible is Alive (2:09)

Action Steps: Do a few "One Thing Studies" this week in your devotional time. Continue to pray the DMM Prayer, have all or part of a FARM conversation, and do your "I will" statements.
SESSION 7. COACH

Review: (15 minutes) Review the four steps of making disciple makers, Share about doing One Thing Studies, the DMM Prayer, and having a FARM conversation and your "I will". 

Introduction: The purpose of this session is to introduce the importance of coaching with the aim of encouraging you to coach others and be coached by others. 

Task: (15 minutes) Read Coach. 

Activity: (30 minutes) Conduct a Coaching session. 

  • Look back: One person asks another to review from memory one of the tools taught during Launch and what element of that tool they appreciate. That person then does the same with another. Repeat until done. For reference the tools are: DMM Prayer (see session 1), Farm Conversation, Discovery Bible Study (DBS), One Thing Study, Coach. 

  • Look Up: As a group, read Acts 26:16-18 and discuss what it teaches about making disciples. 

  • Look Ahead: One person asks the others, "What is your next step in disciple making?" State it as an "I will..." statement. Conclude with prayer. 

Debrief: (30 minutes)

Briefly discuss thoughts on the coaching session. Read about Level #2 DMM Training and scan the DMM Library, and watch Church. (6:34)

​Important! This marks the end of Launch, but as the word Launch implies, it is just the beginning of the mission. Will you engage in the rest of the mission by coaching those you disciple, joining a coaching group, and continue your training with Level 2 DMM Training? Discuss your answer. 

Resources

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​Attributions 
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