When the Explore the Bible Adult Daily Discipleship Guide was introduced in 2017, a new section called Talk It Out was included. This section included three questions based on the lesson to be used in a D-Group setting. D-Groups are smaller groups of three or four people who come together weekly to encourage, share, and sharpen each other. These types of groups have been around for some time with the Daily Discipleship Guide providing a means of connected the groups to their weekly Bible study.
Expanding in the Fall of 2022
As noted, the Talk It Out was three questions tied to the Bible study in some way. We heard from a variety of people who wanted the Talke It Out section to be more robust. We went to the drawing board and tested some ideas. Some even wondered what would happen if the Talk It Out feature served a due role, providing something for D-Groups and for married couples. Imagine how marriages would be impacted if the husband and wife made this a part of their weekly routine!
After gaining input, we began to see a path for the future. The expanded Talk It Out, building the feature around the weekly memory verse. While Scripture memory is one element, Bible commentary and questions to foster discussion are also included. These questions are specific to the Talk It Out feature and found nowhere else in the Explore the Bible family of resources.
Encouraging D-Groups with the Talk It Out feature
Step 1: Create smaller groups within your class or group.
- Explain the importance of the smaller groups, emphasizing that the goal is holding ourselves and others accountable for living a Christ-honoring life.
- Allow the group to form their own initial groups of three by gender (men’s smaller groups and women’s smaller groups). This tends to work better than assigning groups.
- Make sure some of the groups have extra space for new people and guests.
Tip: As the Bible study group grows, you may need to reorganize the smaller groups, but try not to regroup too often so that trust can be built within each smaller group.
Step 2: Support the smaller groups.
- Provide opportunities for the smaller groups to pray with each other during the group time.
- Make study assignments in the weekly group time based on the smaller groups.
- Pre-enlist a volunteer to share with the larger group how participation in the smaller group is impacting his or her life.
- Periodically organize fellowship events built around the smaller groups. The smaller groups could be the basis for teams during the event.
Step 3: Be in a smaller group.
- Meet with two or three other Bible study leaders as part of your weekly preparation.
- Be part of a smaller group within your class.
- Host a smaller group for guests and new group members.
See a free sample of what is coming in Fall 2022.
View the How to Use videos of the Adult Daily Discipleship Guide for the group member and the leader.