CPM/DMM: DBS Essential Questions

Seeing the Forest for the Trees in CPM/DMM

The heart of CPM is to sow seeds as widely as possible trusting that the

Lord will lead us to persons of peace 

(Luke 10, Mt 10). By definition, a POP

will introduce the gospel messenger to his/her oikos (household/affinity group).

The gospel messenger then invites the oikos to study chronological Bible stories.  Stories are chosen according to the worldview of the target people with the goal of leading the oikos to faith in Jesus. If the target group are Muslim, stories about the Old Testament prophets are studied and then stories about Jesus.

The format of the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is simple so that it can be quickly replicated. Typically the same 8-9 discovery questions are used for each story.

DBS (Discovery Bible Study) oikos (household) basic questions….

1.    What are you thankful for today?

2.    What are you struggling with lately?

3.    Retell the story from last week and how you applied/obeyed? With whom did you share this story?

4.    Read the next story 2x aloud.

5.    Retell the story in own words, each person taking turns.

6.    What does this story teach us about God’s character? (in Jesus’ stories, use Jesus)

7.    In what specific ways do you desire to obey and apply this truth about God in your own life?(I will…) When?

8.    Who else could be encouraged and helped by this story? When can you share this story with them? (I will…)

Using Discovery Bible Study (DBS) stories is a win 'em slow approach. A typical story set will have 20-25 stories. Because people from UPGs have so many misconceptions about Jesus it is usually necessary to study this many stories so they can understand the work of Christ in salvation.

One of the keys to CPM is the development of lay leadership. With the storying approach to CPM (some call this the discovery approach), the gospel messenger will only facilitate a few stories with the oikos. As quickly as possible, after 1 to max 4 times, the gospel messenger will identify the group's natural leader and begin to equip that person to lead the oikos. They usually meet weekly. 

Since the methodology is simple this natural leader, even though in most cases still an unbeliever, can facilitate the group. Thus the lay leader is trained on the job. Ideally, the MAWL-Model/Assist/ Watch/Love--Letter-Leave is modeled in the 1st household gathering by the catalyst of the DBS. Then, the 2nd meeting the catalyst has trained the natural leader--and/or POP so that they Assist and so forth. If possible, the CPM catalyst does not stay in the household past 1 to max of 4 times. Otherwise, this will lead to the household placing their dependence upon the "outsider" and not upon the process of DBS dependence upon God's Word and the HS to lead them.