Yesterday Larry* and Sharon* joined our leadership team for our monthly meeting.  They are an amazing couple.  In the past six months they have started three Discovery Bible Study groups.

I have never attended any of their groups and I wanted to understand how the groups are functioning.

I figured the best way was to have them fill out a simple chart for one of their groups.  In less than 5 minutes I understood many of the dynamics of their group, how to encourage Larry and Sandra and what we should be praying for during the next month.

Yesterday was my first coaching time with Dave*.

Dave* lives in rural Queensland.  When I say rural I'm talking about towns of 250 or 400 people.  Farmers who drive 15 minutes to visit their next door neighbour. Places where you would need to drive an hour or more to find a church. Any church.

Dave* has a vision of starting house churches all over the region. Right now he has a network of three house churches.  

The room was filled with the smoke of incense.  A young child, wearing wearing white pants and only a chain of gold around his top, ran up to greet me. 

We had just arrived at Carl* and Prisha's* apartment for our monthly Discovery Bible Study.

Prishna explained that today was Lord Krishna's birthday and they had just completed the Puja (an act of worship).

I have a small leadership team of four people: Ruth*, Crystal*, My wife,  and myself.

Ruth is the strongest leader.  She has started three Discovery Bible Studies and is constantly seeing people come to faith in Christ. Ruth is also a great friend.  My wife led her to Christ and I walked her down the aisle when she got married. 

Have you ever thought of starting a Discovery Bible Study in an retirement centre?

Dave Wible has found this very effective.  Watch his 3 minute video.

Hermie Smit says, "Our team in Acapulco use mobile medical services, esp. to the elderly in very effective ways to start discovery groups starting with them, and then with their whole family.  The elderly are very appreciative of the help, have the time to do the Discovery process regularly and the time to pray and reach out to others."

Yesterday Paul and I met for coffee.  Paul holds all of his meetings in public places, because he always has a second agenda: finding people of peace.

About halfway through our meeting he says, "You see that person over there with the pony tail? He has greeted everyone who walks in by name.  A few minutes ago the employee behind the counter came over and asked him a very unusual question -- one that you normally don't hear in everyday conversation.  People respect that man's opinions.  I wonder if he is a person of peace?"

I knew I was out of control when I saw the invitation:

I am collecting stories of how people started their first  Discovery Bible Study. Would you be willing to share your story? It would be so helpful for people who are just staring on the DBS trail.

Here is Maya's story:

 When I started my first Discovery Bible Study I expected that the non-Christians would quickly start new groups with their friends.  

I was in for a shock.  That didn't happen.

I went back to re-read the stories of rapid DBS expansion.  Most of these came from rural villages or from people groups which have a high sense of community.

Rapid expansion in the city is still possible.  But you need to do it differently.