Discovery Bible Texts
[This is Chapter 6 of Disciple Maker: Fulfill Your Destiny in the Disciple-Making Movement Launched by Jesus Christ, by Phil Bickel (© 2020). Free download at www.philbickel.com/store. More details about disciple-making movements here]
In a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) individuals who know nothing about the Bible become disciples of Jesus Christ. How is this possible? As they wrestle with God’s Word, they become rooted in Christ and learn to follow Him.
The Bedrock of History
The group of seekers explore a series of essential Bible stories which are presented in chronological order. The list below is entitled “Discovering God.” Skim the thirteen Old Testament stories and sixteen more from the New Testament. Together they form a solid historical foundation of major biblical events and themes.
- Genesis 1:1-25 God Creates the World
- Genesis 2:4-24 God Creates Man and Woman
- Genesis 3:1-13 Man and Woman Eat the Fruit
- Genesis 3:14-24 God’s Curses and Promise
- Genesis 6:-8 God Regrets His Creation
- Genesis 6:9-8:14 God Saves Noah and His Family
- Genesis 8:1-9:17 God’s Covenant with Noah
- Genesis 12:1-8; 15:1-6; 17:1-7 God’s Covenant with Abraham
- Genesis 22:1-19 Abraham Gives His Son as an Offering
- Exodus 12:1-28 God Spares His People
- Exodus 20:1-21 The Commands of God
- Leviticus 4:1-35 The Sin Offering
- Isaiah 53 God’s Righteous Servant
- Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20 Jesus is Born
- Matthew 3; John 1:29-34 Jesus is Baptized
- Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus is Tested
- John 3:1-21 Jesus and the Religious Leader
- John 4:1-30, 39-42 Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
- Luke 5:17-26 Jesus and the Paralyzed Man
- Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm
- Mark 5:1-20 Jesus and the Man with Evil Spirits
- John 11:1-44 Jesus Raises a Man from the Dead
- Matthew 26:17-30 Jesus’ Betrayal and the Covenant
- John 18:1-19:16 Jesus is Betrayed and Faces Trial
- Luke 23:32-56 Jesus is Crucified
- Luke 24:1-35 Jesus is Resurrected
- Luke 24:36-53 Jesus Appears to His Disciples and Ascends into Heaven
- Acts 2:25-41 Enter into the Kingdom of God
- Ephesians 2:1-10 Justified by God’s Grace
(Source: Great Commission Disciple Making by James A. Lilly, p. 121f.)
Could other stories have been included? Certainly. However, the goal is not to teach everything, but to convey sufficient details for the seekers to encounter God.
Might a group struggle at times due to schedule conflicts, flagging interest, internal friction, or other obstacles? Of course. Remember, Satan hates God’s Word and will use every available weapon to derail the group. Just keep mentoring and encouraging the group’s facilitator (Person of Peace). As you pray together for the Disciple Maker to bless your efforts, remind yourself that “no weapon forged against you will prevail” (Is. 54:17).
The Dawning of Faith
As the group members explore the list of stories, they begin to think and feel like the Jews in the Bible. They ponder their relationship with their Creator and realize their need for forgiveness. They long for the long-awaited Messiah to arrive and rescue them.
When they eventually meet Jesus, they wonder: “Could He be the Savior foretold by the prophets?” When they read how Jesus treats people in need, they fall in love with Him, and their hopes rise. When the Lord is crucified, they mourn and weep. When He rises again, oh how they celebrate in amazement! When Christ’s death and resurrection reveal that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah, who resolves humanity’s problem of sin and death, they gladly abandon their previous religious beliefs and eagerly become His disciples.
Such an awakening occurs as Discovery Bible Study groups recognize that God is at work in their world and calling them to participate in His Story. Beginning in darkness, gradually the sun of righteousness rises with healing in its rays, until they see “the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (Mal. 4:2 & 2 Cor. 4:6).
Intrigued? Chapter 7, Discovery Session Format reveals exactly what occurs in a typical DBS session, so that the light of Jesus the Disciple Maker will shine on friends, family, and neighbors who are living in darkness.
In the free, 58-page book Disciple Maker learn Jesus’ one-of-a-kind methods, and follow Him as you fulfill your destiny. Here is an overview of the entire book and each chapter.
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