How can you use a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) to help non Christians learn about God? When someone is interested in Jesus or the Bible, it can sometimes be overwhelming to know where to start.
A Discovery Bible Study addresses the challenge of introducing a non believer to Christ by providing a framework that is non threatening and requires requires the seeker to have no prior knowledge of the Bible.
A Discovery Bible Study isn’t about being an expert in theology—it’s about letting the Bible speak directly and personally to each and every reader.
Whether or not you are serving in a cross cultural context, a Discovery Bible Study is a great way to introduce people from a non Christian background to studying Scripture.
The technique is simple, but the outcome is powerful!
In this blog, you’ll learn what makes a Discovery Bible Study unique and how you can use it easily in any context. Plus, you don’t wanna miss the free resources at the end.
First, let’s explore what exactly is a Discovery Bible Study.
What Is a Discovery Bible Study?
Discovery Bible Study is a simple, reproducible technique to study God’s Word.
Its basic structure makes it easy to use when studying the Bible with Unreached People Groups (UPGs) from various cultures.
The study uses only simple questions and gives a specific application encouraging participants to retell the story to someone else.
Discovery Bible Study is both a tool for evangelism and discipleship. You can use a Discovery Bible Study with non Christians to introduce them to the Bible, but also help disciples of Jesus grow in their faith.
Although the Discovery Bible Study offers good questions for personal Bible study, we encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and gather a small group of non believers to study with.
Discovery Bible Study Questions
Here are the key steps of a Discovery Bible Study:
- Begin by asking each group member: Who did you share last week’s story with? How did it go?
- Discuss the question: Did you do anything different this week in response to last week’s “I will” statement?
- Share with each other what you are thankful for this week.
- Share any struggles that the group might help you with.
- Read the passage out loud (read in your own language).
- Make observations about the story.
- Without looking at your Bible, tell the story again as a group.
- Ask: What does this passage teach about God or life or humanity?
- Make an “I will” statement (think: How would God want me to obey this teaching?)
- Ask one another: Who will you share this story with this week?
Each person aims to retell the Bible story to a friend, co worker, or family member before the next group meeting.
Related Post: Bible Storytelling and Sharing the Gospel
As a result, DBS meetings often start with a reflection on what participants learned last week in the study. During this time, participants also share an update about someone to whom they were able to retell the Bible story.
It’s amazing to watch how the Holy Spirit can speak in so many ways through Scripture during a DBS group!
Read on to see what makes DBS different!
What Is the Difference Between a Discovery Bible Study and Inductive Bible Study?
In some ways, Discovery Bible Study and Inductive Bible Study (IBS) are similar. Both focus on letting God’s Word speak for itself. Additionally, DBS and IBS both emphasize personal application of Scripture and the call to obey God.
While both Discovery Bible Study (DBS) and Inductive Bible Study are methods for engaging with Scripture, they differ in focus, structure, and questions
An Inductive Bible Study is a more structured and analytical approach. It aims to deeply examine and interpret Scripture in its context before applying it.
Using the acronym of COMA, IBS involves asking:
- Context: What is the historical and literary background of the passage?
- Observation: What does the text say?
- Meaning: What did the text mean to the original audience? (Sometimes called interpretation)
- Application: How does this text apply to the church today and to my life?
IBS emphasizes critical thinking, careful analysis, and understanding the cultural and historical background of the passage.
On the other hand, a Discovery Bible Study emphasizes sharing what you learn with others.
Both methods are helpful ways to study the Bible, but, as we’ll see in the next section, the Discovery Bible Study method can be particularly valuable in ministering to non Christians especially across cultures.
Discovery Bible Study Benefits
A Discovery Bible Study is a versatile tool for sharing the Gospel and discipling believers.
During our Equip missionary training program, equipees get to be a part of them as part of their hands on experience.
In some circles, especially on campuses, you may hear it being called a Discovery Group instead of Discovery Bible Study to be more appealing to students who already do a lot of studying.
Either way, here are some of the core benefits you’ll experience when using it.
Ideal for those Unfamiliar with Scripture
DBS is ideal for those who minister to people unfamiliar with the Bible or Christianity.
The questions are simple to follow, the method is easy to reproduce, and there is no formal teacher needed.
Takes the Pressure off of Facilitators
In a Discovery Bible Study, there is only a facilitator, not a teacher. Facilitators put themselves in the same position as every other person in the DBS group. Each participant (including the facilitator) is a learner who looks to the Bible as the authority given to us by God.
This distinctive of the Discovery Bible Study method sets the precedent of the Bible as the ultimate authority, not a Bible teacher.
As the believer, you are simply guiding that process.
While there is definitely a place for teaching in evangelism, in this process, you should not teach.
In this process, we are trusting that the Scriptures are powerful in themselves and the Holy Spirit is the teacher. This is the same thinking when we decide to distribute Bibles to people.
You don’t have to be an expert to lead a DBS group. (And if you want to lead one be sure to download our free resources at the bottom!)<fix link>
Focuses on Reproduction
Discovery Bible Study focuses on obedience to Scripture and the need to immediately apply the principles of the passage.
DBS participants learn to become comfortable retelling each Bible story in order to share it with other non believers. This storytelling aspect makes DBS a technique that is naturally reproducible as you share what you learn with others.
When it comes to Discovery Bible Study, participants are encouraged to facilitate new DBS groups with interested friends or family. And with such a simple model and the expectation of the Holy Spirit as a teacher, any believer can lead a DBS!
Read More: Disciple Making
Helpful for Cross Cultural Ministry
Many missionaries will use a Discovery Bible Study because its method allows for Scripture to transcend language and cultural barriers. It shows that the Kingdom of God is accessible to any culture.
Discovery Bible Study is also an ideal way to introduce people from different cultures to Scripture because it focuses on the basics.
Reg*, one of our missionaries, used DBS to introduce the Bible to 4 Chinese graduate students.
This is ideal for Discovery Bible Study: studying with a small group of friends or family who share the same first language and cultural identity. With a common language and worldview, Bible discussions can be specific to the DBS participants.
When studying the Bible in their first language, they can understand and relate to it on a much deeper level. When the Bible is read in Chinese—or any other first language—it comes alive!
It is amazing that Jesus speaks to every individual on planet Earth in the language that they best understand with their heart!
As you can see, a Discovery Bible Study is a helpful tool for missionaries and those ministering to cross cultural populations in their own local context.
Get Your FREE Discovery Bible Study Worksheet and Resources!
Are you ready to try out a Discovery Bible Study with a small group? These Discovery Bible Study worksheets are your simple guide to starting and facilitating a DBS group.
The Discovery Bible Study worksheets include:
- A summary of the method and practical advice for applying it in various cultural contexts
- Study guides with a Scripture list of passages that tell the story from Creation in the Old Testament to Christ in the New Testament
- Printable worksheets and bookmarks featuring the core DBS questions
- A facilitator’s guide to help you confidently lead your own Discovery Bible Study group
Nothing is better or more beautiful than knowing the person of Jesus Christ. God can use you, like he used Reg to study the Bible with a group of Chinese students and share the Gospel.
When you get your Discovery Bible Studies, you can help introduce your non Christian friends to Jesus and watch the Holy Spirit initiate contagious disciple making!
Sign Up For Your Discovery Bible Study
Discovery Bible Study (DBS) guides non Christians through the Bible to discover God’s redemptive plan. These groups should have 4 – 7 people with 1 group facilitator. We see many people come to faith in Christ as they read God’s Word for the first time. They begin to see for themselves the mercy of God as revealed through Jesus.
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In this resource set, you will find everything you need to begin your own Discovery Bible Studies and share the love of Christ with unreached people. Fill out the form to get it!
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Read More: Disciple Making Movements (DMM)
