overview
Welcome to Launch, a transformative training resource designed to equip believers with the foundational skills to make disciples who, in turn, make disciples. It aims to kickstart a disciple-making movement (DMM) over several sessions and can be experienced individually in a self-taught format or ideally in a small group led by a facilitator. Here’s what sets Launch apart:
Targets the Spiritually Restless: Launch is designed for individuals who have a holy, healthy discontent and are eager to grow. It's especially tailored for those who are passionate about learning how to make disciples who, in turn, make more disciples. If you are a follower of Jesus and feel dissatisfied with your current level of involvement in fulfilling the Great Commission, Launch is for you.
Rooted in God's Desire for All to Know Him: Launch is built on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to discover God. Our vision aligns with God’s desire for all to experience salvation, as stated in 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9. Through Launch, you’ll be equipped to help others deepen their relationship with God, who will then assist others in doing the same, fostering a culture of multiplication.
Focus on Unbelievers: The main focus for those participating in Launch is to reach out to unsaved friends, family members, and others whom God places in your path. While this may initially include individuals from your church, other churches, or ministries, the main focus is to get outside the walls of the church.
Emphasis on Action: Unlike traditional training that often focuses on knowledge, Launch prioritizes practical application. This obedience-based approach ensures that what you learn is put into practice, promoting immediate disciple-making application.
Sequential and Closed Format: Once begun, Launch operates as a closed event due to its sequenced nature, ensuring a structured learning process. However, participants are encouraged to start their own Discovery Groups with interested friends during Launch, fostering multiplication right from the start.
Optimal in Small Groups: Launch is most effective when experienced in small groups of 3-6 individuals. Larger groups should be able to form smaller breakouts. This intimate setting fosters deeper connections and more personalized guidance. If you have a few friends or acquaintances ready to join you on the disciple-making journey, invite them to join you. Anyone can lead Launch! You can also share this page with them to spark their interest.
Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey? Let's Launch into action together!
leader tips
Preparation: Familiarize yourself with the tools in the week-by-week training plan to enhance everyone's experience.
Invitation: After prayerful consideration, invite 3-6 individuals, enthusiastic about being disciple-makers, to join Launch, emphasizing its unique features. Share this link with them.
Logistics: Begin meetings on the agreed date and adhere to the start and end times, with each session lasting 90 minutes. Encourage full attendance to benefit from the program. For in-person meetings, consider mingling with refreshments afterward to build camaraderie.
Week-by-Week Plan: Follow the plan to thoroughly teach Discovery Bible Study (DBS), cover related resources, and include Action Steps.
Reflection: Dedicate time for debriefing at each meeting to reflect, address questions, and watch videos. If videos can't be shown during the session, encourage viewing them between meetings.
Coaching: Schedule the first coaching meeting during the final Debrief using Coach as a template. Invite active participants to continue with DMM Training, an eight-session resource connecting the "how-to" of Launch with the "why."
SESSION PLANS
SESSION 1
Task: (30 minutes) Read Discovery Bible Study (DBS) and review DBS Story Sets.
Activity: (45 minutes). Conduct the short version DBS as stated in the description. Use story #1 from DBS Story Sets. Be sure everyone declares and writes down an "I will" statement.
Debrief. (15 minutes). Watch Discovery Bible Study (3:00). Evaluate the DBS resource and answer any questions.
Action Step: Do your "I will."
Activity: (45 minutes). Conduct the short version DBS as stated in the description. Use story #1 from DBS Story Sets. Be sure everyone declares and writes down an "I will" statement.
Debrief. (15 minutes). Watch Discovery Bible Study (3:00). Evaluate the DBS resource and answer any questions.
Action Step: Do your "I will."
SESSION 2
Task: (30 minutes) Read Facilitator Notes. If necessary, review DBS by reading the bold print only.
Activity: (45 minutes) Conduct the short version DBS as stated in the description. Use story #2 from DBS Story Sets. Be sure everyone declares and writes down an "I will" statement. Choose a different person to facilitate.
Debrief (15 minutes). Watch Discovery Bible Study Overview (7:58). Evaluate and answer any questions.
Action Step: Do your "I will."
Activity: (45 minutes) Conduct the short version DBS as stated in the description. Use story #2 from DBS Story Sets. Be sure everyone declares and writes down an "I will" statement. Choose a different person to facilitate.
Debrief (15 minutes). Watch Discovery Bible Study Overview (7:58). Evaluate and answer any questions.
Action Step: Do your "I will."
SESSION 3
Task: (30 minutes) Read Follow Up Questions. If necessary, review DBS by reading the bold print.
Activity: (45 minutes) . Conduct the short version DBS as stated in the description. Use story #3 from DBS Story Sets. Develop a few Follow Up questions as a group as you go. You likely won't have time to answer them.
Debrief: (15 minutes) Watch Discovery Bible Study (8:16). Evaluate and answer any questions.
Action Step: Do your "I will" and develop a set of follow up questions from a story in the DBS Story Set.
Activity: (45 minutes) . Conduct the short version DBS as stated in the description. Use story #3 from DBS Story Sets. Develop a few Follow Up questions as a group as you go. You likely won't have time to answer them.
Debrief: (15 minutes) Watch Discovery Bible Study (8:16). Evaluate and answer any questions.
Action Step: Do your "I will" and develop a set of follow up questions from a story in the DBS Story Set.
SESSION 4
Task: (15 minutes): Briefly share your "I will" from the previous DBS and any follow-up questions you created. Then, read the FARM Conversation.
Activity: (45 minutes): Practice the FARM conversation as a group. Enjoy the interaction, but keep responses brief to fit within the session time.
One person starts by asking another a Family question, "Tell me something about your family." If you know the person well, ask, "Tell me something about your family I haven't heard yet."
The person who answered the Family question then asks another the Academic/Occupation question, "Tell me something about your job (or your studies if more appropriate)."
The person who answered the Academic/Occupation question asks another the Recreation question, "Tell me about any special interests or hobbies."
The person who answered the Recreation question asks another one the following Message questions (continue person to person with the Message questions as time allows):
Their Story:
Your Story:
God's Story:
This practice prepares you to identify people who are ready to learn more about Jesus. As Rick Warren says, "If the fruit is ripe, you don't have to pull hard." If time permits, share any disciple-making experiences and their impact.
Debrief: Watch Vision (9:45). Evaluate the concept (not the content) of the FARM conversation.
Action Steps: Have as much of a FARM conversation as you can the upcoming week, and each week thereafter.
Activity: (45 minutes): Practice the FARM conversation as a group. Enjoy the interaction, but keep responses brief to fit within the session time.
One person starts by asking another a Family question, "Tell me something about your family." If you know the person well, ask, "Tell me something about your family I haven't heard yet."
The person who answered the Family question then asks another the Academic/Occupation question, "Tell me something about your job (or your studies if more appropriate)."
The person who answered the Academic/Occupation question asks another the Recreation question, "Tell me about any special interests or hobbies."
The person who answered the Recreation question asks another one the following Message questions (continue person to person with the Message questions as time allows):
Their Story:
- Begin with, "It's been fun learning about your background. Can you share a bit about your spiritual background?"
- Then ask, "Do you have a faith journey, and if so, can you describe it?" Or "Does Jesus play a role in your life, and if so, how does he influence you?"
Your Story:
- Share your 15 second testimony: "There was a time when I felt ___________ and _____________. Then I encountered Jesus, trusted in Him, and made Him central in my life. Now, I feel ____________ and _______________. Have you experienced something similar?"
- Practice responding with your Missional Identity:
Scenario 1: One person asks, "What do you do for work?" The responder practices saying, "I show people how to discover the ___________ and _______________ [choose two words: joy, love, hope, peace, power, purpose] of following Jesus. Is that something you would like to know more about?
Scenario 2: Another person asks, "What do you do for work?" The responder practices saying, "I help followers of Jesus discover how to make disciples who make disciples. Is that something you'd like to know more about?"
God's Story:
- "I'm learning a lot from the Bible lately. Would you be interested in exploring more about God through it?"
This practice prepares you to identify people who are ready to learn more about Jesus. As Rick Warren says, "If the fruit is ripe, you don't have to pull hard." If time permits, share any disciple-making experiences and their impact.
Debrief: Watch Vision (9:45). Evaluate the concept (not the content) of the FARM conversation.
Action Steps: Have as much of a FARM conversation as you can the upcoming week, and each week thereafter.
SESSION 5
Task: (30 Minutes): Share about any FARM conversations that took place over the past week. Discuss the experiences and insights gained. Read One Thing Study.
Activity: (30 Minutes): Practice One Thing Study.
As a group, choose a passage of Scripture and read it aloud together.
Then read the passage again silently. Take a few minutes to identify your "One Thing"—a word, phrase, or sentence that speaks to your heart and that you believe God wants you to respond to.
Share your "One Thing" with the group, explaining why it resonated with you.
After everyone has shared, pray for each other. One person summarizes their "One Thing" and someone else prays for them. Then, that person summarizes their "One Thing," and another person prays. Repeat until everyone has shared and been prayed for.
Debrief: (30 Minutes) Evaluate the One Thing Study. Watch The Bible is Alive (2:09) If time permits read "More Information" on the One Thing page.
Action Steps: Continue to have FARM conversations throughout the week. Dedicate time to doing a few One Thing Studies and be ready to share your experiences during the next session.
Activity: (30 Minutes): Practice One Thing Study.
As a group, choose a passage of Scripture and read it aloud together.
Then read the passage again silently. Take a few minutes to identify your "One Thing"—a word, phrase, or sentence that speaks to your heart and that you believe God wants you to respond to.
Share your "One Thing" with the group, explaining why it resonated with you.
After everyone has shared, pray for each other. One person summarizes their "One Thing" and someone else prays for them. Then, that person summarizes their "One Thing," and another person prays. Repeat until everyone has shared and been prayed for.
Debrief: (30 Minutes) Evaluate the One Thing Study. Watch The Bible is Alive (2:09) If time permits read "More Information" on the One Thing page.
Action Steps: Continue to have FARM conversations throughout the week. Dedicate time to doing a few One Thing Studies and be ready to share your experiences during the next session.
SESSION 6
Task: (30 Minutes) Share about any FARM conversations and One Thing Studies that took place over the past week. Discuss the experiences and insights gained. Read, Pray.
Activity: (30 Minutes) Spend dedicated time praying together as a group with a focus on disciple-making. Select a passage from the book of Acts or a resource from the Pray page. Read the chosen passage or resource aloud. Engage in prayer, allowing for moments of silence to reflect and listen. Pray humbly yet boldly.
Debrief: (30 Minutes) Watch Prayer (9:55). Evaluate the group prayer time.
Action Steps:
Encouraging Migration to Coaching: To foster long-term application and multiplication, it is vital to encourage everyone to engage in ongoing coaching. This process involves continuous encouragement and providing necessary tools and support. Use Coach as a starting point for organizing your own coaching meetings. This template provides a structured approach to ensure your sessions are productive and focused on achieving your goals. Coaching consists of:
Advanced Training Opportunity: Inform practitioners about Level 2: DMM Training. This advanced training module offers a deeper dive into effective disciple making practices and principles, designed to elevate your skills and impact.
Activity: (30 Minutes) Spend dedicated time praying together as a group with a focus on disciple-making. Select a passage from the book of Acts or a resource from the Pray page. Read the chosen passage or resource aloud. Engage in prayer, allowing for moments of silence to reflect and listen. Pray humbly yet boldly.
Debrief: (30 Minutes) Watch Prayer (9:55). Evaluate the group prayer time.
Action Steps:
Encouraging Migration to Coaching: To foster long-term application and multiplication, it is vital to encourage everyone to engage in ongoing coaching. This process involves continuous encouragement and providing necessary tools and support. Use Coach as a starting point for organizing your own coaching meetings. This template provides a structured approach to ensure your sessions are productive and focused on achieving your goals. Coaching consists of:
- Weekly Email Updates: Receive consistent tips, resources, and motivational content directly in your inbox to keep you on track.
- Monthly Zoom Calls: Participate in interactive online sessions to discuss progress, address challenges, and share successes.
- Quarterly Meetups: Engage in face-to-face meetings every quarter to deepen connections, reflect on experiences, and plan for future growth.
Advanced Training Opportunity: Inform practitioners about Level 2: DMM Training. This advanced training module offers a deeper dive into effective disciple making practices and principles, designed to elevate your skills and impact.
Resources
- See DMM Resources