COMMUNITY TIME
- What is one thing you are thankful for and one thing that is stressful for you?
Briefly discuss any good experiences and any hard or difficult situations you are facing. - How can we support each other?
This is a good time to brainstorm, share resources, and especially pray. - How did your "I will" response go, from last meeting?
Briefly share how you carried out your "I will" response.
BIBLE TIME
Read a story from the DBS Story Sets. After it is read aloud, someone repeat the story from memory. Don't skip this. It is a key part of learning the story.
What is one thing this story says about God (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit) and one thing it says about people?
Stick to what the passage says. Be ready to remind the group to focus on the words in the story.
MULTIPLY TIME
"What are you going to do, and who are you going to tell?" Declare your answers in the form of two "I will" statements. The first just involves yourself (#1 below), the second involves you and others (choose one: #2, #3, #4). Your "I will" should be something you can do in the next 24-48 hours. Be ready to share the results the following meeting.
- I will obey God by __________. What does a step in the direction of godliness look like for you?
************************** - I will share this story with __________. Who do you know who would be encouraged to hear this story? If no one comes to mind, be ready to share it with a person God brings across your path.
- I will invite _________ and ________ to form a Discovery Group (a weekly meeting that uses DBS). Who do you know who is ready for DBS?
- I will coach ______________ as they facilitate their Discovery Group. Who is already leading a DBS but needs your encouragement and guidance?
Student DBS is designed for any student interested in discovering more about God through Bible reading. There are two formats available: short and long. The short format is three questions and is ideal for limited time settings, such as during a lunch period on campus. The long format is five questions and is suitable when time is not a limiting factor. Regardless of the format, the key is to ensure that all the questions are asked to facilitate a thorough and meaningful discussion.
SHORT STUDENT DBS
Question #1: How did your "I will" responses go from the last meeting?
Briefly share how you followed through with your act of obedience and how sharing with someone else went.
Read a Story from the DBS Story Sets.
After the story is read aloud, someone should repeat the story from memory. Don't skip this step; it's crucial for learning the story.
Question #2: What is one thing this story says about God (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit) and one thing it says about people?
Stick to what the passage says. Be ready to remind the group to focus on the words in the story by saying, "Where do you see that in the story?"
Question #3: "What are you going to do, and who are you going to tell?"
Make these acts simple and doable in the next 24-48 hours. Declare your answers in the form of two "I will" statements. The first is the answer to #1 below. The second is the answer from #2, #3, or #4 (choose one) below. Be ready to share the results at the following meeting.
Briefly share how you followed through with your act of obedience and how sharing with someone else went.
Read a Story from the DBS Story Sets.
After the story is read aloud, someone should repeat the story from memory. Don't skip this step; it's crucial for learning the story.
Question #2: What is one thing this story says about God (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit) and one thing it says about people?
Stick to what the passage says. Be ready to remind the group to focus on the words in the story by saying, "Where do you see that in the story?"
Question #3: "What are you going to do, and who are you going to tell?"
Make these acts simple and doable in the next 24-48 hours. Declare your answers in the form of two "I will" statements. The first is the answer to #1 below. The second is the answer from #2, #3, or #4 (choose one) below. Be ready to share the results at the following meeting.
- I will obey God by __________.
What does a step in the direction of godliness look like for you? - I will share this story with __________.
Who do you know who would be encouraged to hear this story? If no one comes to mind, be ready to share it with a person God brings across your path. - I will invite _________ and ________ to form a Discovery Group (a weekly meeting that uses DBS).
Who do you know who is ready for DBS? - I will coach ______________ as they facilitate their Discovery Group.
Who is already leading a DBS but needs your encouragement and guidance?
long student dbs
Student DBS is for someone who shows interest in discovering more about God through Bible reading. The process involves two main steps: training and coaching.
Training: This consists of conducting a DBS (Discovery Bible Study) by asking (facilitating) the questions. Be sure to ask them all. Training spans three sessions. During the first session, you ask the questions. In the second and third sessions, others take turns asking the questions. Coaching: After the third session, transition to coaching. If you're in a group, step out and start meeting individually with the person asking the questions (facilitator). Coaching involves:
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Student DBS is what you teach someone who responds positively to the invitation to discover more about God by reading the Bible. There are two steps in teaching process: training and coaching. Training consists of doing a DBS by asking the questions (facilitate). It only lasts three sessions. The first session you ask the questions (facilitate), the second and third others ask the questions (facilitate).
Coaching kicks in after the third session. If you're in a group, remove yourself from the group, and begin meeting alone with the person who serves as the lead question asker (facilitator). Coaching consist of the following:
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Student Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is a condensed version of the regular DBS, designed for shorter time frames on campus, such as lunch breaks.
Student Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is a shortened version of the regular DBS to make it suitable for shortened time frames on campus, like lunch breaks.
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Student DBS is suitable for shortened time frames, such as lunch breaks on campus. Encourage brief answers.
How did your "I wills" (doing and sharing) go since our last meeting? What does this story say about God and man? What are you going to do and who can you tell? questions, making it suitable for the shorter time frames of lunch breaks on campuses. The key is to keep the answers brief. The smaller the group, the easier it is. Also, students can also opt for the regular DBS format when time permits, such as before or after school, at a local coffee shop, or at home. Regardless of the setting, it's crucial to consult the Facilitator Notes and DBS Story Sets for guidance on conducting the study effectively. Facilitating a Student DBS without adhering to the principles outlined in Facilitator Notes will not yield the desired results. The student DBS process includes the following steps: Question #1: "Could someone briefly share about the story from our last meeting and how your 'I will' statements went?" (This begins with the second meeting and each meeting thereafter) Keep your responses brief. If the group collectively didn't fulfill their 'I will' statements, revisit the story from last week. This reinforces obedience-based disciple making. It's common for groups to require this review periodically, and it yields more truths to harvest. Next, choose a story from the DBS Story Sets and have everyone listen or follow on their own devices while someone reads the story aloud. Then, have at least one person summarize the story from memory without looking at the passage. Recount the story as if they were present at the event. Group members can contribute at the end, by filling in missing details or pointing out additions not in the story. Question #2: "What does this story say about God and man?" Keep your answers brief and anchored to the passage. If someone states something not found in the text, the group can say, "Where does that appear in the text?" Questions #3 "What are you going to do and who are you going to tell?" What observable acts of obedience can you engage in this week that are prompted by this story or brought to mind by God? Think of a specific behavior God wants you to begin or continue. Consider individuals whom God may be prompting you to share the Bible story with or start a Discovery Study. These actions should be stated as "I will" statements, ensuring they are specific, observable, and achievable within the next 24-48 hours. Avoid vague commitments and instead focus on tangible actions. For example: "I will read my Bible three times this week." "I will memorize a key verse from the story and meditate on its meaning throughout the week." "I will reach out to my friend [name] and share this story with them this week." "I will invite [names] to explore the Bible together with the aim of starting a Discovery Group this week." "I will join others this week, in helping make disciples by participating in team prayer, and team discovery." Have students write their "I will" statements on their personal devices for accountability and remembrance, ensuring they remain committed to their stated actions and can easily track their progress. This practice reinforces accountability and encourages proactive engagement in their spiritual growth and discipleship journey. |
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