A Discover Group (DG) should feel very natural and comfortable for those attending. If it’s not, they won’t want to return. Therefore, you’ll want to train the Person of Peace and/or DG Leader to do simple things such as smile, greet each person warmly, and make sure everyone is comfortable. These things are especially important if the Group is new.
The Format of a Discover Group can be remembered with the formula, “4-3-4.”
4 Opening Questions
3 Times through a Passage
Read, Reread, Retell
Read: Read today’s Scripture passage, not too fast
Reread: Read the Scripture passage again
Retell: Have one person retell the Scripture passage in their own words, and let others join in to help them remember
4 Study Questions
DISCOVER GROUP TIPS
Within the first few weeks of the Discover Group, the natural spiritual leader of the Group will become obvious. Sometimes it is not the Person of Peace, but it should be someone that the Group respects and is willing to follow. As soon as you identify that person, hopefully in the first week or two, you should begin transferring the facilitation of the Group to him/her.
At this point your role is changing. You are transitioning from being “facilitator” to being an “outside leader.” You will now teach, coach, and mentor the “inside leader” over the next year or two. As the inside leader matures, you will become less and less visible.
Your responsibility as outside leader can be remembered with this mantra: Model, Equip, Watch and Leave.
M = Model – You are saying, “Watch me do it.” You’ll intentionally do it in a way that’s easily replicated.
E = Equip – You will equip the inside leader—using only Scripture—to grow in their relationship with God and in their leadership.
W = Watch – You will watch the inside leader to ensure that what you taught is being accurately followed.
L = Leave – You will gradually, not suddenly, transition out of the process as you observe lessons are being learned and replicated in others.
Within a few weeks of starting the Discover Group, you as the disciple-maker will stop attending. You will continue guiding, coaching and encouraging them to assure that the Group continues to meet and hear from God. Your goal is to make disciples of this family so that they take on the responsibility of reaching and discipling their community for Christ.
The Format of a Discover Group can be remembered with the formula, “4-3-4.”
- 4 Opening Questions
- 3 times through a Passage
- 4 Study Questions
4 Opening Questions
- What are you thankful for?
- What is the biggest challenge or problem you’re facing today? How can we help?
- Do you know someone who needs help this week? How can we help?
- (Starting the second week) How did you do obeying and sharing what you learned last week?
3 Times through a Passage
Read, Reread, Retell
Read: Read today’s Scripture passage, not too fast
Reread: Read the Scripture passage again
Retell: Have one person retell the Scripture passage in their own words, and let others join in to help them remember
4 Study Questions
- What does this passage teach us about God?
- What does this passage teach us about people?
- If this is God’s Word, what should you do?
- Who should you share with this week?
DISCOVER GROUP TIPS
- Stick with one passage
- Don’t display your knowledge
- Pass off the facilitation almost immediately
- Meet on their turf
- Allow anyone to ask, “Where did you see that in the passage?”
Within the first few weeks of the Discover Group, the natural spiritual leader of the Group will become obvious. Sometimes it is not the Person of Peace, but it should be someone that the Group respects and is willing to follow. As soon as you identify that person, hopefully in the first week or two, you should begin transferring the facilitation of the Group to him/her.
At this point your role is changing. You are transitioning from being “facilitator” to being an “outside leader.” You will now teach, coach, and mentor the “inside leader” over the next year or two. As the inside leader matures, you will become less and less visible.
Your responsibility as outside leader can be remembered with this mantra: Model, Equip, Watch and Leave.
M = Model – You are saying, “Watch me do it.” You’ll intentionally do it in a way that’s easily replicated.
E = Equip – You will equip the inside leader—using only Scripture—to grow in their relationship with God and in their leadership.
W = Watch – You will watch the inside leader to ensure that what you taught is being accurately followed.
L = Leave – You will gradually, not suddenly, transition out of the process as you observe lessons are being learned and replicated in others.
Within a few weeks of starting the Discover Group, you as the disciple-maker will stop attending. You will continue guiding, coaching and encouraging them to assure that the Group continues to meet and hear from God. Your goal is to make disciples of this family so that they take on the responsibility of reaching and discipling their community for Christ.