Start Up is a free, 120 minute, interactive training event that shows people how to launch a multiplying Bible study. This training is for anyone who wants to be obedient to Jesus’ teaching of being a disciple maker. Whether you have a passion to reach your whole neighborhood or a single friend or family member—this training will be extremely helpful. Start Up is for individuals, couples, and groups (friends, disciples, church ministry teams, etc.).
introduction
The single most important statement in Start Up is the following sentence: Humbly allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in the application of the resources. Revelation 2:7a Sometimes it's best to implement the resources as they are laid out. Sometimes it's best to tailor them to fit your specific situation.
The resources in this training have launched hundreds of thousands of multiplying Bible studies around the world.1 They are not theory, but have been in use for decades. The information may seem new but actually it's a return to biblical principles of multiplication.
You are about to experience more information than can be completely processed at one time. Don't worry if along the way you feel information overload. That is common. Keep things in perspective by remembering two things. First, think of this as a high level flyover; don't try to understand everything at once. Second, there is a resource at the end that will help you apply these principles in a way that aligns with your level of understanding.
There will be time afterwards for questions.
What do the following verses say about God?
The resources in this training have launched hundreds of thousands of multiplying Bible studies around the world.1 They are not theory, but have been in use for decades. The information may seem new but actually it's a return to biblical principles of multiplication.
You are about to experience more information than can be completely processed at one time. Don't worry if along the way you feel information overload. That is common. Keep things in perspective by remembering two things. First, think of this as a high level flyover; don't try to understand everything at once. Second, there is a resource at the end that will help you apply these principles in a way that aligns with your level of understanding.
There will be time afterwards for questions.
What do the following verses say about God?
- 1 John 4:9-10
- 1 Timothy 2:3-4
- John 20:21
- Matthew 28:19
1. PRAY
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Pray to God.
Prayer emboldens the people of God (Acts 4:29-31), fulfills the mission of God (Acts 10:9, 30-33, 44), unveils the plans of God (Acts 13:2-3), unleashes the power of God (Acts 16:25-34).
Throughout history, and presently all over the world, great movements of God are accompanied by extraordinary prayer and fasting. Extraordinary prayer is defined as simply praying more than you currently pray. Begin increasing the time you spend in personal prayer and fasting about disciple making. Attend (or start) a weekly prayer group that focuses on disciple making.
Prayer emboldens the people of God (Acts 4:29-31), fulfills the mission of God (Acts 10:9, 30-33, 44), unveils the plans of God (Acts 13:2-3), unleashes the power of God (Acts 16:25-34).
Throughout history, and presently all over the world, great movements of God are accompanied by extraordinary prayer and fasting. Extraordinary prayer is defined as simply praying more than you currently pray. Begin increasing the time you spend in personal prayer and fasting about disciple making. Attend (or start) a weekly prayer group that focuses on disciple making.
Pray for people.
By asking two questions. This is likely new to most but becomes easier the more you do it. Often the results are incredible. Praying for people consists of asking two questions, "May I pray for you?" and "If God could perform a miracle in your life, what would you ask for?" You'll be amazed what people say. Pray for that miracle. Remember, the supernatural is just a snap of the fingers for God. (Jeremiah 32:17). Often people become receptive because of a divine event in their life.
Starting with those you know. Leverage your current relationships. Seek interest among friends, family, and acquaintances. Pause and think of three people whom you could ask the two prayer questions. Remember their names; we'll refer to them in a few minutes.
Then moving to those you don't know. The real harvest is among those we presently don’t know. There are two ways to engage these people: situationally and intentionally. Situational begins with casual, friendly conversation. It occurs as we encounter people in the activities of everyday life. Each day we cross paths with people who might accept our invitation to pray for them. An excellent resource for this is the FARM conversation.
Intentional is a more straightforward appeal to pray. It consists of beginning the conversation with an invitation for prayer. A great tool for this is Prayer Walk.
Another resource is the Prayer Calendar (1:32)
practice
For all practice sessions, get into groups of 3-4. Move quickly through the elements. There is a lot of ground to cover. Be brief.
Have a FARM conversation with people in your group. One person in the group asks another person a Family question. The person who just answered, then asks another person an Academic/Occupation question. The person who just answered, then asks another a Recreation question. The person who just answered, then asks another the Message question. Just ask the Spiritual Background question since you'll ask the two prayer questions below.
Ask the two prayer questions with people you already know. Take a moment right now and text the three people you thought of a few minutes ago. Ask if you can pray for them. You might say you're thinking of them and would like to pray for them. Include the phrase, "If God could perform a miracle in your life, what would you ask Him for?” If they respond positively, text them a prayer. You can share the results at the end.
Ask the two prayer questions with those in your group. One person asks another person the two prayer questions, "May I pray for you?" and "If God was to perform a miracle in your life, what would you ask for?" The person who answered, then asks another person the questions. Repeat this pattern until everyone has asked and answered the two questions. Then pray as a group about what was just shared.
Have a FARM conversation with people in your group. One person in the group asks another person a Family question. The person who just answered, then asks another person an Academic/Occupation question. The person who just answered, then asks another a Recreation question. The person who just answered, then asks another the Message question. Just ask the Spiritual Background question since you'll ask the two prayer questions below.
Ask the two prayer questions with people you already know. Take a moment right now and text the three people you thought of a few minutes ago. Ask if you can pray for them. You might say you're thinking of them and would like to pray for them. Include the phrase, "If God could perform a miracle in your life, what would you ask Him for?” If they respond positively, text them a prayer. You can share the results at the end.
Ask the two prayer questions with those in your group. One person asks another person the two prayer questions, "May I pray for you?" and "If God was to perform a miracle in your life, what would you ask for?" The person who answered, then asks another person the questions. Repeat this pattern until everyone has asked and answered the two questions. Then pray as a group about what was just shared.
2. SHARE
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Share a Bible story. Once you have prayed, ask, "May I share a story from the Bible that might encourage you?" If they say yes, share a story from the DBS Story Set (Starter List). It's helpful to memorize the story beforehand. Share it naturally, in your own words, as if speaking with a friend. Then ask, "What does this say about Jesus?" Affirm their answer and move to the next question. This is not a time to teach or lecture.
practice
Practice sharing the Bible story and asking the Jesus question. One person reads the following Bible story (Mark 4:35-41). That person then asks another person the following question, "What does this say about Jesus?" The person answering states just one thing it says about Jesus. Then the person who answered, asks another person the same question. No need to reread the story. Repeat this pattern until everyone has asked and answered the question. Try to give different answers to the question.
3. ASK
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Ask the Golden Question, "Do you know others who would be encouraged to hear this story FROM YOU?" This determines if you have found a potential storyteller; someone who is willing to share the story with others. This is the person you are looking for. They are the key to multiplication. If they say yes, move to the final step.
practice
Practice asking the Golden Question. One person asks another person the Golden Question, "Do you know of others who would be encouraged to hear this story from you?" If they say yes, ask if you may text the story to them. The person who answered the question then asks another. Repeat this pattern until everyone has asked the question.
Practice texting yourself the story. Help one another with this. Go to GreatCommission.com, then Tools, then DBS Story Sets. Then click Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus Calms the Storm). It shows the first two or three verses. Click More to see the full story. Scroll down to the bottom of the story and click Copy. You should see the following message flash at the top of your device: "Passage copied to clipboard!" Click Copy again if you missed it. Go to your text app and press and hold in the bubble that you use to compose text. Click Paste and send. You should receive the passage as a text.
If this seems too confusing, you can always copy the URL and send it to the story teller.
If you're able to do all this fairly quickly, repeat the process, but this time do it in Spanish. Follow the steps above until you have the full story on your device. Look for the option to change translations. It's to the right of the text address on an iPhone. Press the drop down and write Spanish in the bubble. I chose NVI (Nueva Versión Internacional). Now go to the bottom of the passage, press Copy and send it to yourself.
Before you prayer walk, text yourself the story in two different languages (English and Spanish). That way you just forward the text to share it. Practice forwarding the text by holding your finger on the passage text until the copy option pops up. Copy and resend it to yourself to mimic sending it to someone who is willing to share the story.
Practice texting yourself the story. Help one another with this. Go to GreatCommission.com, then Tools, then DBS Story Sets. Then click Mark 4:35-41 (Jesus Calms the Storm). It shows the first two or three verses. Click More to see the full story. Scroll down to the bottom of the story and click Copy. You should see the following message flash at the top of your device: "Passage copied to clipboard!" Click Copy again if you missed it. Go to your text app and press and hold in the bubble that you use to compose text. Click Paste and send. You should receive the passage as a text.
If this seems too confusing, you can always copy the URL and send it to the story teller.
If you're able to do all this fairly quickly, repeat the process, but this time do it in Spanish. Follow the steps above until you have the full story on your device. Look for the option to change translations. It's to the right of the text address on an iPhone. Press the drop down and write Spanish in the bubble. I chose NVI (Nueva Versión Internacional). Now go to the bottom of the passage, press Copy and send it to yourself.
Before you prayer walk, text yourself the story in two different languages (English and Spanish). That way you just forward the text to share it. Practice forwarding the text by holding your finger on the passage text until the copy option pops up. Copy and resend it to yourself to mimic sending it to someone who is willing to share the story.
4. DISCIPLE
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Disciple those who want to share the Bible story. Guide them to becoming a storyteller, forming a Discovery Group and multiplying.
As mentioned in the beginning of Start Up, decide if you should skip guiding them to become a storyteller and go directly to modeling a DBS. This might be the case if a group can be quickly formed, has an interest, and has the time to go through a DBS. If that's the case, facilitate the first meeting yourself and choose a person to serve as a facilitator moving forward. That is the person to coach.
Encourage them to become a storyteller. If they are interested in sharing the Bible story with others, ask, "May I text you the story you just heard?" If they say yes, send the story. Practice beforehand so you know how, in a preferable language (English, Spanish, etc.) Inquire with whom and when they might share it so you can pray. Stay in touch with encouraging words. When they share a story, celebrate, and send another. Do this two or three times. Each time share a new story and add one more question: What does it say about Jesus?, What does it say about people? What does it say to you? When they have shared a story a few times, move to the next phase.
Help them form a Discovery Group (DG). A Discovery Group is a gathering of people who meet to study the Bible together. Until now your disciple has only shared a Bible story and asked a few questions. Now is the time to explain the Discovery Bible Study. Meet personally to do this. Read about the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) AND the Facilitator Notes. This is very important. The Facilitator Notes contain key elements that result in multiplication. Don't skip it. Do an overview of the Story Sets.
Then do a full DBS together with your disciple.
Once your disciple has learned the DBS, encourage them to invite people to a formal launch. Have them to set a date and time and get confirmation so there is a good turn out. Consider showing up as an observer, but just the first time. If appropriate, suggest providing something to eat and drink.
As you coach, consider finishing the Starter Stories, then moving through another set of studies that the you and the facilitator deem a best fit.
Coach them to multiply. Remind the Discovery Group leader to hold people accountable to the "I will" statements. Be ready to do whatever is necessary to encourage reproduction. Focus on relevant Story Sets.
As mentioned in the beginning of Start Up, decide if you should skip guiding them to become a storyteller and go directly to modeling a DBS. This might be the case if a group can be quickly formed, has an interest, and has the time to go through a DBS. If that's the case, facilitate the first meeting yourself and choose a person to serve as a facilitator moving forward. That is the person to coach.
Encourage them to become a storyteller. If they are interested in sharing the Bible story with others, ask, "May I text you the story you just heard?" If they say yes, send the story. Practice beforehand so you know how, in a preferable language (English, Spanish, etc.) Inquire with whom and when they might share it so you can pray. Stay in touch with encouraging words. When they share a story, celebrate, and send another. Do this two or three times. Each time share a new story and add one more question: What does it say about Jesus?, What does it say about people? What does it say to you? When they have shared a story a few times, move to the next phase.
Help them form a Discovery Group (DG). A Discovery Group is a gathering of people who meet to study the Bible together. Until now your disciple has only shared a Bible story and asked a few questions. Now is the time to explain the Discovery Bible Study. Meet personally to do this. Read about the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) AND the Facilitator Notes. This is very important. The Facilitator Notes contain key elements that result in multiplication. Don't skip it. Do an overview of the Story Sets.
Then do a full DBS together with your disciple.
Once your disciple has learned the DBS, encourage them to invite people to a formal launch. Have them to set a date and time and get confirmation so there is a good turn out. Consider showing up as an observer, but just the first time. If appropriate, suggest providing something to eat and drink.
As you coach, consider finishing the Starter Stories, then moving through another set of studies that the you and the facilitator deem a best fit.
Coach them to multiply. Remind the Discovery Group leader to hold people accountable to the "I will" statements. Be ready to do whatever is necessary to encourage reproduction. Focus on relevant Story Sets.
- Foundation Story Set: Being and Growing as a Church
- Mobilization Story Set: Growing as a Disciple Making Team (DMT) Parts 1,2,3
practice
Learn about the resources. Read through the following resources: Discovery Bible Study (DBS) or (DBSY for students), and Facilitator Notes. Do a brief overview of the DBS Story Sets.
Do an abbreviated DBS as a group. Use Luke 17:11-19. As before, one person serves as the facilitator by asking one person the first question. The person who answered, then asks another the second question, and so on until you have finished the DBS.
Be mindful of time. Keep your answers brief. You won't get through the study if you give lengthly answers. Most DBS take 60-90 minutes, so you can see how much less time you have.
Do an abbreviated DBS as a group. Use Luke 17:11-19. As before, one person serves as the facilitator by asking one person the first question. The person who answered, then asks another the second question, and so on until you have finished the DBS.
Be mindful of time. Keep your answers brief. You won't get through the study if you give lengthly answers. Most DBS take 60-90 minutes, so you can see how much less time you have.
IMPORTANT
FINAL INFORMATION
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To summarize: Pray (to God and for others), Share (a Bible story with the Jesus question), Ask (the Golden Question), and Disciple (help become a storyteller, form a Discovery Group, and multiply).
Overwhelmed yet? Don't worry if you did not grasp all of this the first time through. Most don't. Almost everyone needs several exposures to fully understand these concepts. This is because this strategy is a radical shift from most current disciple making practices. Likely, there is as much to unlearn as there is to learn. Practice the resources on your own. It's a great way to increase understanding, boost confidence, and build competence.
Attend coaching. This is the resource mentioned in the beginning. Ongoing coaching is vital to long-term application. It provides modeling, wisdom, encouragement and comprehension. It's your next step in the disciple making process. If you are moving forward, email us for the coaching meeting information.
Train believers. You are now eligible to take interested believers through Start Up. Encourage people to go through the training with others; friends, family, disciples, church staff, etc.
Coach believers immediately after training. Form your own coaching or join existing coaching. Meet every other week, on the same day and time. Begin by reviewing the four steps and corresponding resources (see below) and address relevant needs. Brainstorm about how to help each other make progress.
Store this page as an icon on your device. It will act like an app. You'll refer to it often as you implement the Start Up steps: Pray, Share, Ask and Disciple.
Conisder going through Multiply. Multiply is a free, eight session, in-depth training, especially suited for people with a vision to reach their entire people group, city, region or country. It is vital for anyone in ministry leadership. It's best experienced after applying all four steps of Start Up.
Explore the The 10-10 vision.
Any reports on the prayer text?
The site password to Start Up Coaching Videos will be 281620
Any questions or comments?
Overwhelmed yet? Don't worry if you did not grasp all of this the first time through. Most don't. Almost everyone needs several exposures to fully understand these concepts. This is because this strategy is a radical shift from most current disciple making practices. Likely, there is as much to unlearn as there is to learn. Practice the resources on your own. It's a great way to increase understanding, boost confidence, and build competence.
Attend coaching. This is the resource mentioned in the beginning. Ongoing coaching is vital to long-term application. It provides modeling, wisdom, encouragement and comprehension. It's your next step in the disciple making process. If you are moving forward, email us for the coaching meeting information.
Train believers. You are now eligible to take interested believers through Start Up. Encourage people to go through the training with others; friends, family, disciples, church staff, etc.
Coach believers immediately after training. Form your own coaching or join existing coaching. Meet every other week, on the same day and time. Begin by reviewing the four steps and corresponding resources (see below) and address relevant needs. Brainstorm about how to help each other make progress.
- Prayer: Personal prayer and fasting, group prayer, prayer walking and the FARM conversation.
- Share: Telling Bible stories and asking the Jesus, people and you questions.
- Ask: Asking the Golden Question and texting the story and corresponding question(s).
- Disciple: Coach people to become storytellers, form a Discovery Group and multiply.
Store this page as an icon on your device. It will act like an app. You'll refer to it often as you implement the Start Up steps: Pray, Share, Ask and Disciple.
Conisder going through Multiply. Multiply is a free, eight session, in-depth training, especially suited for people with a vision to reach their entire people group, city, region or country. It is vital for anyone in ministry leadership. It's best experienced after applying all four steps of Start Up.
Explore the The 10-10 vision.
Any reports on the prayer text?
The site password to Start Up Coaching Videos will be 281620
Any questions or comments?
Presentation tips
Choose a training format that suits your situation. Options include: video, audio, in person, etc.
Trade-off reading so everyone stays involved. Read the Practice notes before going into Breakout groups.
Feel free to create a PowerPoint using the bold print as bullet points. You can read the regular print as an off screen explanation. Just realize the wording may change, so be sure your presentation is up to date.
If you use Zoom, try to use another device so you can use it to navigate links. Don't let this keep you from going through Start Up.
All the information in this training is available at GreatCommission.com/Start-Up. No need to take notes.
Trade-off reading so everyone stays involved. Read the Practice notes before going into Breakout groups.
Feel free to create a PowerPoint using the bold print as bullet points. You can read the regular print as an off screen explanation. Just realize the wording may change, so be sure your presentation is up to date.
If you use Zoom, try to use another device so you can use it to navigate links. Don't let this keep you from going through Start Up.
All the information in this training is available at GreatCommission.com/Start-Up. No need to take notes.
1. Dr. David Garrison, Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World (Monument CO: WIGTake Resources, 2007). Part 2: Chapters 3-10 Kindle