If you are unfamiliar with the Discovery Bible Study method, here are some guidelines to help you get started. Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) are small group studies (4 to 12 members is best) in which:
- The Bible is the text book
- The Holy Spirit is the teacher
- All members of the group participate in discussion and discover God’s truth together
- A group leader guides discussion about Bible passages by asking questions, but does not teach a lesson, and
- All group members seek to apply what the Holy Spirit is teaching to their lives
Guidelines
- Members of the group first take time to share about their lives
- One of the group members will pray, asking the Holy Spirit to speak to them as they study the Bible together
- One member will read a Bible passage from the day’s lesson
- One or more members will then put the passage into their own words. Others might then add to their effort to help bring clarity and completeness to everyone’s understanding of the passage (but not to criticize the speaker)
- For some passages, it is then helpful for the leader to ask, “What is the context of this passage?” Details such as who is speaking (maybe Paul, Jesus, or a prophet), who else is involved (such as the Pharisees, or the disciples), and what has happened just prior to the passage, help bring understanding.
- Other questions can then be asked to guide discussion such as:
1 – What does this passage tell us about God or ourselves?
2 – What in this passage can help us live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God?
3 – In discussing this passage is the Holy Spirit pointing to sin about which we might need to repent? - 4 – Is there a promise in this passage that I can believe and take for myself? The lesson guide will include some of these questions as well as other questions that may be useful in leading the discussion.
- Most lessons contain several passages on a related topic. Near the end of the discussion time on these passages members need to consider the question, “How can I apply what I’ve learned to my life this week?”
- Additional passages at the end of the lesson can be used by the group or individuals for further study on the lesson’s topic.
- The meeting can be closed by group members praying for each other and for needs that they are aware of in their community. The group may decide that they can work together to meet a need within their group or their community.
Further Guidance for Group Leaders
- Try to involve each member in discussion, but be understanding and gentle. Invite participation, don’t force anyone to participate.
- Make sure that everyone in the group understands that things which are shared in the meeting are confidential. Members need to know that this meeting is a safe place to talk about their lives.
- Don’t allow one or two members to dominate the discussion. Ask questions like, “does anyone else have something to add?” If someone persists in dominating discussion you may need to privately ask them to share less.
- Trust the Holy Spirit to bring truth from God’s Word. Don’t correct or criticize someone’s ideas. Instead, bring the focus back to the passage and what it states.
- If the discussion goes off the topic of the lesson, redirect it to the passage being discussed.
- Avoid teaching what you know. Trust the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to the group members.
- Before beginning the lesson for the day, you may want to ask, “What did we learn in the last lesson?” or “Have we been able to apply what we learned to our lives this week?”
- These Bible studies are designed to be used in order, but any lesson can be picked out and used as desired. Lessons are listed below. A series of lessons on salvation begin with #30.
- This is an open access document. It may be copied, printed and used without restriction.
- The Discovery Bible Study method used in these lessons was adapted from the book Contagious Disciple Making by David L. Watson and Paul D. Watson.
List of lessons:
- God is the I AM
- God is Holy
- The Trinity
- The Bible
- The Creator
- Adam and Eve
- The Lie in the Garden
- The Deceiver
- Abraham, a Man of Faith
- The Son of Promise
- The Passover
- The Covenant
- The Law, Part 1
- The Law, Part 2
- Israel Possesses the Land
- David’s Everlasting Throne
- The Temple
- A King is Promised
- The suffering Servant
- Promise of a New Covenant
- Jesus, Son of Man
- Jesus, Son of God
- Jesus, King of the Jews
- Jesus, Our Healer
- Jesus, our Teacher
- The Crucifixion, Part 1
- The Crucifixion, Part 2
- Jesus Rises from the Dead
- The Risen Christ Ascends
- Salvation, God so Loved the World
- Salvation, By Grace Through Faith
- Salvation, Redeemed and Delivered
- Salvation, Justified
- Salvation, Reconciled to God
- Salvation, Jesus Our High Priest
- Becoming a Christ follower
- Teach us to Pray
- Transformed
- Disciples Making Disciples
- The Gift of the Spirit
- Spiritual Gifts
- Ministries and Leadership
- When You Get Together
- Water Baptism
- The Lord’s supper
- Our Blessed Hope, Part 1
- Our Blessed Hope, Part 2
- Our Blessed Hope, Part 3
- Judgment
- God’s Design for Men and Women
- Godly Marriage
- Family Life
- Human Government
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