Simple Guide for Discovery Bible Study Time
About this guide:
Discovery Group Format - A Simple Guide for Life-Changing Gatherings
Transform your community experience with this proven Discovery Group format that combines authentic community, interactive Bible study, and practical life application. Perfect for microchurches, home groups, and intimate gatherings of 3-12 people.
This easy-to-follow guide walks you through three essential movements: Look Back (caring for one another and accountability), Look Up (discovering God's truth together through Scripture), and Look Ahead (planning obedience and mission for the week ahead).
What makes this different?
Interactive Bible discovery instead of lecture-style teaching
Built-in accountability that actually works
SMART goal setting for real life change
Natural evangelism through story-sharing
Reproducible format anyone can lead
Whether you're starting your first microchurch or enhancing an existing group, this format creates space for the Holy Spirit to work while keeping everyone engaged and growing. Download the guide and start experiencing community the way Jesus intended.
Used by hundreds of Microchurch Network and Kairos Connexion groups worldwide.
PART 1: Look Back (Last Week) 💝
CARE - Hi, Low, Buffalo:
1. What are you thankful for this week? What has brought you joy? What has stressed you out this week? What has surprised you this week?
LOVING FOLLOW UP:
3. What did we talk about last week?
4. How did it go in obeying what God spoke to you last week? (did you change anything?)
5. Did you get a chance to share the story with your chosen person? How did it go?
PART 2: Look Up (God's Word Today) 🔍
DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY (DBS):
6. Today we are going to read a Bible passage twice, using two different readers. This week's passage is: _______ (choose your readers & Bible version(s) and let them read it while the others follow along in their Bibles)
7. (After the reading, if the passage is a story that can be retold, ask this) Who can retell this story in their own words, as if you were retelling it to a friend that had never heard it before?
8. (After the retelling, ask this question to the others) Do you agree with the retelling? Is there something that was added or left out during the retelling that shouldn't have been? (if so) Where in the passage do you find that discrepancy? (if necessary, refer to the passage to clarify things)
THE FOUR DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:
9. PEOPLE → What does this passage say about PEOPLE?
10. GOD → What does this passage say about GOD?
11. ME → What is God speaking to ME, through this passage?
12. OBEY → How will I OBEY what God is speaking to me, this week?
● I will... (Be specific about what, when, and how you'll do it)
PART 3: Look Ahead 📅
PLAN FOR NEW WEEK:
13. How will I pray into what God has revealed to me from this passage? (right now we will each pray, as a response)
14. With whom will you share this passage and what you learned from it, this week?
15. What is a personal challenge you foresee facing this week, in any area of your life? (let's remember these)
16. For our next gathering, are there any friends or family members you want to invite next time?
MINISTRY & MISSION:
17. The leader chooses between these or other options for group ministry:
Pray for the felt needs identified earlier
Pray for healing for someone in the group
Give thanks and speak appreciation for someone in the group
Give a word of affirmation and/or a prophetic word
Decide together how you might bless someone in your network of relationships together this week
