Discovery Bible Study
A sustainable approach to Scripture together.
A disciple-first approach to Scripture with contacts who are not yet following Jesus.
The answer for groups and for gospel growth.
Start to discover:
The Method
💡 Bottom Line
DBS is a simple method for discipleship that puts spiritually interested people in the best environment to engage in Scripture and discover Gospel truths for themselves.
🏆 The Goal
The goal of DBS is a repeatable discipleship process that anyone can do.
Each Discovery Bible Study (DBS) should follow the same simple approach. This lets exploring disciples get comfortable quickly and helps new disciples learn how to repeat the process with others.
🔁 The Process
Connect > Discover > Go
Start by connecting with a few simple questions
Discover the text and what God is saying to us
Go and live out this passage in a reproducing life
1. Connect
What are you thankful for?
What’s a challenge you’re facing?
How did you do with last week’s ‘I Will’ statement? (will make sense later)
Did you share what we talked about with anyone? (will make sense as you go)
2. Discover
Read the text (Sometimes 2x helps. Have someone put it in their own words before discussing the questions below.)
What stands out to you?
What does this text say about God?
What does this text say about people?
3. Go
How can you specifically live out this passage in the next few days? (Everyone creates an ‘I Will’ statement)
Who are you going to tell about what you discovered?
Pray together
Where to Start
💡 Bottom Line
DBS simply reads Scripture and lets the process of discipleship go to work. Below are sets of Scripture to start the process with.
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A great way to engage people who are spiritually curious but not yet following Jesus:
1) Mark 2:1-12
2) John 3:1-17
3) Mark 5:1-20
4) Luke 7:37-50
5) Luke 15:11-32
6) Luke 17:11-19
7) Luke 18:9-14
8) Luke 19:1-10
9) John 4:1-42
10) Mark 4:1-20 -
A great way to discover who Jesus is and why He is so important:
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Ideal for discovering discipleship together:
1. Repent & Believe – John 3:1-16
2. Surrender – Romans 12:1-2
3. Declare (Baptism) – Acts 2:36-41
4. Obey – 1 John 2:3-6
5. Gather – Acts 2:37-42
6. Love – 1 Corinthians 13
7. Pray – Luke 18:1-8
8. Live – Colossians 3:1-10
9. Give – Mark 12:41-44 & 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
10. Multiply – Matthew 28:16-20 -
All In
1: Luke 9:18-27 & 9:57-62
2: Matthew 7:13-27New Life
3: Romans 8:1-11
4: Galatians 5:13-26Live Different ($, sex, speech, love)
5: Ephesians 4:17-5:8
6: Matthew 5:27-30
7: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
8: Mark 12:41-44 & 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
9: James 3:1-12
10: 1 John 3:11-24New Purpose
Ideas for More
💡 Bottom Line
DBS simply reads Scripture and lets the process of discipleship go to work. Below are sets of Scripture to continue the process with, or to explore based on specific needs of those you’re reading with.
Need-based Options
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Week 1: Identity (known and created by God)
Week 2: Identity (more than conquerors)
Week 3: Identity (God’s love combats anxiety & worry)
Week 4: Identity (children of God)
Week 5: Purpose (light of the world)
Matthew 5:13-16, Ephesians 2:10
Week 6: Purpose (ambassadors & reconcilers)
Week 7: Purpose (Our great calling)
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Where’s God when I Hurt? – John 5:1-15
Pain and Blame – John 9:1-34
Pain and Shame – Mark 5:24-34
Pain and Perspective – Job 2:1-10
Pain and Persistence – Luke 18:1-8
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PEACE: Acts 16:6-34
PRESENCE: Psalm 139
PROVISION: Matthew 6:25-34
FORGIVENESS: Psalm 32
GUIDANCE: Psalm 23
PRAYER: Luke 18:1-8
ETERNAL LIFE: John 14:1-8
STRENGTH: Philippians 4
PURPOSE: 2 Cor 5:15-21
JOY: Romans 5:1-11
The Whole Story
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Week 1:
Genesis 1:1-31 (or Psalm 33:6-11), and John 1:1-14 -
Week 2:
Genesis 3:1-24, Romans 3:9-20 -
Week 3: God’s Promise to & through Abram
Genesis 12:1-5, Genesis 15:1-6, and Galatians 3:6-9Week 4: The Promise of Passover
Exodus 12:21-30 and 1 Corinthians 5:7Week 5: The Sacrificial System
Leviticus 4:1-35 and Hebrews 9:11-10:14Week 6: Covenant with David
2 Samuel 7:8-16 and Acts 13:16-41Week 7: Sheep & Shepherd
Ezekiel 34:11-31 and John 10:2-14Week 8: Jesus, bringer of Good News
Isaiah 61:1-9 and Luke 4:16-22Week 9: Isaiah Foreshadows the Coming Promise
Isaiah 53Week 10: Jesus fulfills the Promise
Luke 23:26-49Week 11: Jesus fulfills the Promise (pt2)
John 20:1-18 -
Week 12: The Task
Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 1:8
Week 13: The Holy Spirit
John 14:15-21, Acts 2:1-41
Week 14: Our identity as Ambassadors
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Week 15: The fulfillment of everything
Revelation 21:1-8
Growing Groups
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Commitment to One Another – Hebrews 10:19-25
The Body of Christ – Romans 12:3-8
Love One Another – 1 John 3:11-24
God’s Chosen People – Colossians 3:12-17
Become a Fully Functioning Group – Acts 2:42-47, 1 Corinthians 11:23-34
On Mission Together – Luke 10:1-11
On Mission Together (pt 2) – Matthew 28:16-20
Give – Acts 4:32-37 & 2 Corinthians 9:6-9
Unity in God’s Household – Ephesians 2:11-22
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A Closer Look
💡 Bottom Line
DBS is designed for discipleship — an experiential and action-oriented way of multiplying disciples and expanding the gospel’s impact. Here’s the why behind the method.