I recently met with some of the Network leaders in the UK for a day talking about church planting and multiplying disciples across the UK and Europe. It was a great day hearing and sharing what the Lord is doing. It was exciting with reports of 8 moves in Europe now that have reached 4th generation in multiple streams. Something new is emerging!

In every group there's a fresh discovery of the power of training Christians to sit down with unbelievers and share his word. Go back 20 years and these conversations would have been how to do skits and dances on the streets to try to attract people! Something new is emerging!

A few weeks ago (March 2025) we saw 35 people make responses to Christ at our church, the King's Arms. 15 of them were in a local prison and many of the others were young people responding to Christ for the first time.

But as I hear these things it makes me want to double down again to do what I felt the Lord speak to me 'prepare the church for revival.'

My concern is that we are barely discipling those who are coming to Christ already! We are not ready for 100s, 1000s or even 10s of 1000s to come to Christ each week! We have to prepare the church.

One of the tools that all movements seem to have a version of is the Discovery Bible Study (DBS). It's simple, accessible, and incredibly effective for leading people into a deep relationship with God by teaching them to reach hear from God for themselves through His word. In DBS, the emphasis isn't just on reading Scripture but on engaging with it in a way that naturally fosters growth through hearing, obeying, and sharing—three principles at the heart of true discipleship.

The Core Principle of Hear-Share-Obey

The core of DBS is built on the principles of hearing, sharing, and obeying God's word. In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, we read:

"Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength… Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up…"

Notice how this passage encourages us to engage actively with God's word by listening (hearing), integrating it into our lives (obeying), and sharing it with others consistently.

The goal of DBS is not merely to increase knowledge but to cultivate lives that reflect the wisdom and truth of Scripture. When we hear, we internalize knowledge; when we obey, we embody it; and when we share, we help it take root in others.

Why Discovery Bible Study?

DBS is more than a Bible study—it's a practical, life-changing approach to Scripture. Unlike traditional Bible studies, where one person may lead or teach, DBS emphasizes participation, fostering a sense of ownership and personal responsibility in learning and living out the Bible. This method allows individuals to discover God's truth themselves rather than relying on someone else to interpret it for them.

Leading a Discovery Bible Study: One-on-One and Group Settings

Leading a DBS can be simple, and the same principles apply whether you're meeting one-on-one or in a group setting.

Here's a practical approach to leading a DBS:

Begin with Prayer: Start by asking God to reveal His truth and guide your study. Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to work in your heart and in those around you.

Select a Passage: Choose a passage of Scripture. Use theCommands of Christ guide as a 10 series guide to lead new believers through a clear pathway that they can then reproduce when they disciple others.

Read Aloud: Have one person read the passage aloud. For group DBS, a second person can read the passage in a different translation.

Retell the Passage: Ask one or two people to retell the passage in their own words.

Ask Key Questions: In DBS, questions are simple yet profound. Here are four foundational questions to ask:

- What does this passage tell us about God?
- What does it tell us about people?
- Is there something in this passage I should obey?
- Who could I share this story or truth with?

The Impact of Discovery Bible Study

DBS doesn't require special training or theological expertise, making it accessible to anyone who desires to follow Jesus and share His word. This simplicity enables DBS to thrive in various contexts, from personal disciplemaking relationships to larger group settings.

There's an APP for that

If you want a guided approach, download theWaha app from the App Store or Google Play store. It guides you through many discovery bible studies and even has the bible in many different languages.

Conclusion

Discovery Bible Study is a remarkable disciplemaking tool because it embodies the principles of hearing, obeying, and sharing God's word.

In this season, let's lean into the power of DBS as we seek to raise up multiplying disciples who hear, obey, and share God's truth. By embracing this method, we can see lives transformed, faith deepened, and communities impacted for Christ.

What's the next step for you?