I am not sure what the origins are of the DBS (Discovery Bible Study Method) or DBM (Discovery Bible Method) but it seems to be a method that comes naturaly to various authors and teachers in a very similar format.
As such, there is an app that assists in this method that may help you to get started.
The version we use has been combined from a few different sources, including the book “Threads” by Kirk Freeman, The Discover App, Crossway Baptist Church and Grace City Church in the UK
Do I need a Pen and Paper?
No, you do not.
The DBS Method is a discipleship method. It’s focus is on memorisation and action.
…however…
Having a book or Journal to make notes in about what you have learnt and what God is telling you, as well as your Calls-to-Action, is very handy.
Looking back a year from now, you will be reminded of some amazing times you have had with the Lord!
How does it work?
This method works great with a few people, less so with very large groups.
Basically, we have split a discipleship bible study into three parts.
A- Ask
B- Bible
C- Commit
In the “Bible” Section, we have two parts (About God, and About People) and in the “Commit” Section, we have two parts (Obey and Share)
A - Ask
We start of with the community.
We go around the group and ask the members to share:
1. What they are thankful for (because Gratitude dispels Anxiety, and Praise dispels Dispair)
“and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair“
Isaiah 61:3
2. We also ask about general wellbeing and prayer requests.
finaly…
3. We ask about how their previous week’s commitments have gone, and who they have told about the previous week’s passage?
Any testimonies surrounding that is always welcome!
B - Bible
At this point we move onto the new passage from the Bible.
1. The group leader asks a person to read the new passage for today’s study out loud.
2. Then the group, as a whole, in their own bibles, read the passage to themselves quietly.
3. As a final review, one of the members re-tells the story or passage in their own words.
4. Take a moment to silently pray, each member to themselves, and ask God to reveal a personal understanding to them. To speak to them Directly.
From there we move to questions:
(If any member of the group has a question, or sees a difference in the passage from a different version, this is a good time to discuss)
First are the questions about GOD
- What do you See?
- What does this story or Passage tell you about God (or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit)
- How is God’s Character revealed here?
Next are questions about People
- What does this passage tell me about Other People?
- What does this passage tell me… about me?
C - Commit
After we have dug into the bible for a bit, sharing insights and discussing, we can move over to the Call-to-Action:
What is God asking of me?
Give members a chance to share, IF THEY ARE READY AND ABLE, if they are being urged by the Holy Spirit into Action.
- Is God Asking me to Change? What is that change?
- Is God CALLING me to Action? What does God want me to do?
In other words… if the word we just read and discussed is asking for action or demanding action, WHAT STEPS WILL WE TAKE TO OBEY?
Then… the very last step:
- Can we commit to telling at least one person about this passage and what it means? and;
- Who is that person?
And that is it!
As you can see, this is an amazing tool for Discipleship Bible Study.
- It requires action
- it requires interaction
- it requires engagement outside the spiritual group.
Not only can we lead our members to hear God’s Voice through His Word, but we can lead them to and assist them in the actions the the Holy Spirit is urging them to take.
You can also click here, to download an A5 PDF “cheat sheet” to print out and paste into your Bible Study journal.
Grace City Also has a very simple reminder bookmark. Its a simple tool to copy and use in your group!
