Facilitator Notes contain helpful guidelines for facilitating a Discovery Group (DG), which meets weekly using the Discovery Bible Study (DBS). These principles may seem counterintuitive, but they are crucial for multiplication. Refer to them often if you are facilitating a group or coaching a facilitator.
Think Multiplication: Use the Train/Coach Pattern. Train by explaining and modeling DBS for three sessions. Facilitate the first meeting yourself, then hand off the role to others for the second and third meetings. After the third session, shift to coaching by providing ongoing support from outside the group. See Coach for details.
Start as an Outsider: If possible, begin training a facilitator one-on-one outside the group. If training within the group is necessary, do not facilitate more than three times. Facilitate the first meeting, then hand off the role to others. Staying longer identifies you, instead of the facilitator as the leader.
Value Groups: Groups of three or more promote dynamic growth, offering more engagement and support than one-on-one interactions. They enhance learning, prevent errors, and provide mutual support and accountability.
Ask All the Questions: Cover all questions during discussions to build community, spark discovery, and generate multiplication. Use your device to stay on track. Start meetings with DBS question #1, not prayer requests, to focus on studying Scripture.
Don’t Teach: Guide discussions (facilitate) by asking questions that help participants discover truths for themselves. This approach builds reliance on the Holy Spirit and instills confidence in participants, empowering them to facilitate their own groups. Teaching hinders growth by making participants feel they need special Bible knowledge. Facilitate in a way that inspires others to say, "I can do this." Be ready to reinforce the "no teaching" principle when necessary.
Encourage Discussion: This is especially helpful for groups reluctant to talk, or groups that already have a basic understanding of the content. For instance, "What does verse three say about God?" or "Why is this so?" or "How does this apply to your life?" Ask open ended questions, using "what," "why," "how," "when," "where," and "who" to develop follow-up questions to deepen discussions. See Follow Up Questions for more info.
Share the Facilitator Role: Encourage the facilitator to involve others as question askers. This shows that anyone can guide the group, building confidence and promoting multiplication.
Stay Small to Grow Big: Keep groups small (3-6 people). When a group grows larger, start new groups. Ensure meetings start and end on time, allowing for mingling after the formal ending to build relationships.
Stay Simple: Keep things simple so existing groups can quickly start new groups, which in turn start even more groups. The goal is the natural, continual formation of new Discovery Groups.
Think Multiplication: Use the Train/Coach Pattern. Train by explaining and modeling DBS for three sessions. Facilitate the first meeting yourself, then hand off the role to others for the second and third meetings. After the third session, shift to coaching by providing ongoing support from outside the group. See Coach for details.
Start as an Outsider: If possible, begin training a facilitator one-on-one outside the group. If training within the group is necessary, do not facilitate more than three times. Facilitate the first meeting, then hand off the role to others. Staying longer identifies you, instead of the facilitator as the leader.
Value Groups: Groups of three or more promote dynamic growth, offering more engagement and support than one-on-one interactions. They enhance learning, prevent errors, and provide mutual support and accountability.
Ask All the Questions: Cover all questions during discussions to build community, spark discovery, and generate multiplication. Use your device to stay on track. Start meetings with DBS question #1, not prayer requests, to focus on studying Scripture.
Don’t Teach: Guide discussions (facilitate) by asking questions that help participants discover truths for themselves. This approach builds reliance on the Holy Spirit and instills confidence in participants, empowering them to facilitate their own groups. Teaching hinders growth by making participants feel they need special Bible knowledge. Facilitate in a way that inspires others to say, "I can do this." Be ready to reinforce the "no teaching" principle when necessary.
Encourage Discussion: This is especially helpful for groups reluctant to talk, or groups that already have a basic understanding of the content. For instance, "What does verse three say about God?" or "Why is this so?" or "How does this apply to your life?" Ask open ended questions, using "what," "why," "how," "when," "where," and "who" to develop follow-up questions to deepen discussions. See Follow Up Questions for more info.
Share the Facilitator Role: Encourage the facilitator to involve others as question askers. This shows that anyone can guide the group, building confidence and promoting multiplication.
Stay Small to Grow Big: Keep groups small (3-6 people). When a group grows larger, start new groups. Ensure meetings start and end on time, allowing for mingling after the formal ending to build relationships.
Stay Simple: Keep things simple so existing groups can quickly start new groups, which in turn start even more groups. The goal is the natural, continual formation of new Discovery Groups.
Resources
- See DMM Resources
- See Student DBS
1. Paul Watson: "Small Groups that have the DNA of a Disciple Making Movement."
2. David Watson, "What About Teaching in Disciple Making Movements?"
3. The "no teaching" principle is specifically limited to DBS in Discovery Groups to promote multiplication. This approach encourages self-discovery, fostering deeper personal engagement with Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit. However, there is ample room for teaching and other forms of instruction in other settings, such as coaching sessions, large group gatherings, and more. The "no teaching" concept does not apply to DMM as a whole. The Book of Acts provides plenty of evidence of teaching, preaching, proclamation, and even public debate (Acts 2:40, 4:2, 18:28, 28:31).
4 Derek Seipp, Poised for Growth: First Century Methods Fueled Early Church Movement.
2. David Watson, "What About Teaching in Disciple Making Movements?"
3. The "no teaching" principle is specifically limited to DBS in Discovery Groups to promote multiplication. This approach encourages self-discovery, fostering deeper personal engagement with Scripture and reliance on the Holy Spirit. However, there is ample room for teaching and other forms of instruction in other settings, such as coaching sessions, large group gatherings, and more. The "no teaching" concept does not apply to DMM as a whole. The Book of Acts provides plenty of evidence of teaching, preaching, proclamation, and even public debate (Acts 2:40, 4:2, 18:28, 28:31).
4 Derek Seipp, Poised for Growth: First Century Methods Fueled Early Church Movement.