START DISCOVERY GROUPS (DG)
We go out among the lost with the intention of finding the person of peace, who opens up their Oikos, so a discovery group can get started, and a discipleship process can begin. — Chris Galanos
Start a Discovery Group (DG) by identifying the leader. Most of the time it's the person of peace. However, occasionally it is someone else within the group. Do your best to determine the natural leader of the group.
Start a DG by not extracting the leader out of their natural "family." Keep the leader among the people they naturally lead. Let them exercise leadership among those they presently guide. This is critical. It is what expands the movement. Removing leaders from their sphere of influence prevents the gospel from spreading among those they leave behind; disciple leaders IN their current settings.
Start a DG by doing a complete Discovery Bible Study (DBS) with the leader. Until now the leader may have only been exposed to an abbreviated version when you shared a story and asked what it says about Jesus. Now is the time to do a full study that includes all the questions.
Start a DG by doing a DBS with the leader alone or in front of their group. If you model it in front of the group, do so one to three times. Otherwise, you will establish yourself as the leader. This is very important. If you are present three times, one or two of those times should be watching the group leader lead. Debrief with the leader either in person or by phone, before and after each meeting.
Start a DG by explaining the role of facilitator to the leader. Read the DBS leader notes together. Make sure they know their job is to guide the group towards discovery not teach by lecture. This too is very important.
Start a DG for unbelievers and a Discovery Community (DC) for believers. The focus for unbelievers is facilitating faith in Jesus Christ by using DBS. The focus for believers is training them to go out among the lost using the Steps outlined in Multiply. If at all possible, don't mix unbelievers with believers because the initial focus is different.
Start a DG by not extracting the leader out of their natural "family." Keep the leader among the people they naturally lead. Let them exercise leadership among those they presently guide. This is critical. It is what expands the movement. Removing leaders from their sphere of influence prevents the gospel from spreading among those they leave behind; disciple leaders IN their current settings.
Start a DG by doing a complete Discovery Bible Study (DBS) with the leader. Until now the leader may have only been exposed to an abbreviated version when you shared a story and asked what it says about Jesus. Now is the time to do a full study that includes all the questions.
Start a DG by doing a DBS with the leader alone or in front of their group. If you model it in front of the group, do so one to three times. Otherwise, you will establish yourself as the leader. This is very important. If you are present three times, one or two of those times should be watching the group leader lead. Debrief with the leader either in person or by phone, before and after each meeting.
Start a DG by explaining the role of facilitator to the leader. Read the DBS leader notes together. Make sure they know their job is to guide the group towards discovery not teach by lecture. This too is very important.
Start a DG for unbelievers and a Discovery Community (DC) for believers. The focus for unbelievers is facilitating faith in Jesus Christ by using DBS. The focus for believers is training them to go out among the lost using the Steps outlined in Multiply. If at all possible, don't mix unbelievers with believers because the initial focus is different.
Resources
- Read: DBS Leader Notes.
- Watch: Discovery Bible Study (4:41)
- Watch: Discovery Study Overview (7:58)
- Watch The Power of Discovery (34:26)
- Watch: Discovery Group DNA (40:40)
- Watch: Q and A about Seeing Groups Start (50:04)
- Explore: WAHA: A Discovery Bible Study App. The multiply code is 281820.
Apply
- What do the following passages say about the discovery process? Matthew 17:25, 18:1, 21:40; Mark 8:27.
- Share your next step in Starting a Discovery Group. Share it with someone. Review this and other Apply responses in your next meeting.