|first_name|,

How often do your DBS groups meet?

Last weekend Allan* and Carrie* asked Mike* and his wife how often they wanted to meet for Discovery Bible Study.  Mike's wife said she is very busy and only wants to meet once a month.

Mike* seemed to want to get together more regular.

In the end the couple settled on a monthly meeting.  

Allan* then got creative.  He thought, "If Mike* is more eager to learn than his wife, maybe I can do something with him onlline between the monthly sessions.  We both use WeChat."

Good morning |first_name|,

Yesterday I started questioning the way I lead my DBS again.

I normally bring just a piece of paper that has both the questions and the Bible passage that I have printed at  dmlife.info/dbs_maker.

Most of my groups need bi-lingual outlines, and this is the easiest way for me to make sure that everyone has the Bible passage in their heart language.

Hi |first_name|,

Saturday night Carrie*, Allan* and I went through the third lesson of Discovering Spiritual Leadership.  The focus was that leaders teach attitudes that God blesses (Matthew 6:25-34).

Hi |first_name|,

Last week was our 31^st Discovery Bible Study with Krish* and his wife.  

Krish* is still not a Christian.  His wife is.  Their daughter is going to a Christian primary school.

Should we keep on meeting? 

I'm not convinced that they are "people of peace" who will open doors to new social groups.

Yesterday was invited to  Michael's new apartment.  He lives on the 22nd floor of a brand new apartment building near the Sydney Olympic Centre.

What a view.

We spent 30 minutes on the rooftop looking at the city and visiting.

Then he and his wife served us a wonderful Chinese lunch.  I love duck.  

A dessert of fruit was served.... and I was ready to head home for a nap.  I've not been sleeping well lately and I was tired.

It was then that my wife told me that they were expecting a Discovery Bible Study. 

Cerchunck.

I would like to hear how you are training your DBS leaders.

I recently started using a Discovery Bible Study called Discovering Spiritual Leadership that focuses on character and the skills that our leaders need to develop.

I would be interested in your suggestions for improvement.

Looking forward to your email.

One of our groups decided to celebrate Easter early.

Michael* had just returned from China.  Grace* was about to celebrate her birthday and Chris* was about to travel to the USA.  It was time for a party.

The regulars invited their friends who had come to a DBS meeting once or twice in the past.

We gathered around 1 pm for lunch at my home.  Several people brought food.

Half the town came out to see Tammy baptised last week.

Tammy lives in a small town in rural Queensland.  The Catholic church offers mass four times a year.  The Anglican church has not opened it's doors in the past 12 months.  The Uniting Church sold their building.  Some of the people will drive into Roma for Easter and Christmas. Thats about as regular as church gets for them.

Yesterday Allan was baptised.  It was a wonderful party.

Both Allan and I grew through the experience.

I think I now understand what is important in our context.

Maybe my new understanding will help you as you prepare people for baptism. I'd love to hear how you celebrate baptism with your groups.

People in our community are familiar with the citizenship ceremony.  Many of us are recent migrants and we have either become Australian citizens or been invited to watch some of our friends become citizens.

Hi, it is Bob.

You might have guessed that I am an activist who likes big challenges.

I started my first Discovery Bible Study four years ago.  I thought it would quickly multiply and we would have a network that covered by suburb in just a few years.

We have seen people come to faith and new groups start.  But I am convinced that God wants to do bigger things in our suburb.

I think He is waiting until our team learns to value prayer.  Really value prayer.

That is why I'm excited about something that Paul Watson is offering.