In this second episode of our Discovery by Practitioners series, we hear from disciple-makers across West Africa, particularly from French-speaking contexts, as they share how the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is catalysing movements of disciple-making.

These leaders open up about the practical realities of applying DBS across cultures, languages, and contexts—always pointing back to simple obedience to the Word of God.

Part One: DBS in West Africa – Leading and Multiplying with Purpose

We first hear from a West African brother who unpacks how DBS is being used both for developing leaders and for outreach.

Key Takeaways:

Start with relationships – Discovery begins in the context of trusted relationships, often with families.

Keep groups small – (e.g. No more than 15 people). Once the group grows, it multiplies by forming new groups.

Two types of DBS:

Leadership DBS: For existing believers, to go deeper in discipleship.

Outreach DBS: For seekers or non-believers. These groups intentionally invite others to join each week, leading to organic multiplication.

“This is how groups grow—first in size, then by multiplication.”

Context matters – Cultural awareness is key. For example:

In West Africa, people are open to gathering in homes—something the movement can take advantage of.

Language matters! Words like “challenges” might be misunderstood in some countries to mean financial struggles, so facilitators adapt their questions accordingly.

“Our questions might look different on the surface, but the heart and purpose remain the same.”

Time awareness – Keep sessions within one hour. Adults often struggle to stay focused beyond that. But again—context is king.

Part Two: DBS in French Speaking Africa

Next, we hear from another African practitioner working in a French-speaking region. He shares how the DBS process begins after identifying a Person of Peace—someone open to God and connected in their community.

Once this person is found, DBS often happens in their household or family, helping whole families discover God together.

Principles of Effective DBS:

Scripture is central – The Word of God is always the authority in the group.

Facilitate, don’t teach – The role is to guide discovery, not to lecture.

Obedience is the goal – Each study leads to:

An “I will…” statement – How each person will put God’s Word into practice.

A commitment to share what was learned with someone else.

“If there’s no obedience step or sharing, it’s not a DBS—it’s just another Bible study.”

Building Group DNA:

Start with gratitude – Ask what people are thankful for.

Show care – Ask about personal needs and challenges.

Value participation – Ensure everyone shares, bringing dignity and inclusion.

Look outward – Ask: What are the challenges in our wider community? What can we do together to respond?

“We don’t just identify needs. We encourage the group itself to respond. That’s how we bring dignity and ownership to the group.”

🎧 In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

How DBS groups are adapted for leaders and non-believers

Why cultural language and group size matter

What makes a group truly a DBS—and not just another Bible study

The role of the Person of Peace in starting new discovery groups

In this first of two special episodes, we hear from disciple-makers in India and Africa who are using the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) to spark movements of obedience-based discipleship in their regions.

🇮🇳 From India: Multiplication Through Simplicity

We begin with a passionate brother from India who shares why sticking to the DBS questions from Day 1 is absolutely vital. He reminds us that multiplication doesn’t happen through charisma or complexity—but through ordinary disciples faithfully using the same simple questions.

🇰🇪 From Kenya: Disciple-Making Among the Swahili and Mijikenda

Next, we hear from Albert in Kenya, who shares how Discovery Groups are being used to reach the Swahili and Mijikenda peoples. Using Creation-to-Christ stories with non-believers and other Scripture passages with believers, Albert is seeing lives transformed as obedience becomes the focus.

He walks us through the three segments of DBS:

Community BuildingThe first part focuses on interaction and relationship-building. For Albert, this was key. Slowing down and letting people connect made DBS feel like a lifestyle, not just another program.

Scripture EngagementThe second part involves multiple readings or retellings of the Scripture passage. Among illiterate groups, storytelling, scripture songs and skits became powerful tools to help people absorb and understand the Word.

Obedience and AccountabilityThe final part is about application—how people will obey and share what they’ve learned. "The more people delay in sharing, the longer it takes to see disciples multiply.”That's why the group regathers the following week to follow up—obedience and sharing are the DNA of multiplication.

“If people learn to share, then we can experience multiplication straight away.”

Albert reflects honestly:

“When we first started, we overlooked some of the questions—especially the sharing. We were too eager to move on. But very little multiplication happened. Now, even the illiterate and unschooled are learning to share what they’ve discovered.”

🎧 Tune in to hear:

Why the DBS format matters

How simple obedience leads to multiplication

What’s happening on the ground in India and Kenya

Don't miss this practical and inspiring look into disciple-making movements from voices on the frontlines.

In this episode, we hear from Graham Wilson, one of our “fathers in the Lord” within Praxeis. As long-time pastoral leader, Graham carries the heart and DNA of movement. As a trusted voice of wisdom and accountability, he also serves on the Praxeis Board and is part of a wider group of elders in our midst.

"Don't get anxious"

At the conclusion of our Launch 25 gathering, Graham shared a powerful word — calling us to stay rooted in passion and trust, not weighed down by anxiety.

Graham urges us to keep our hearts passionate for what God is calling us into and to resist the enemy’s attempts to fill us with worry and anxiety, which only limit us from being the gift we are meant to be.

“Don’t get anxious. When you’re confronted with what God is calling you to do, remember—it’s His work.”

Psalm 46

Graham draws our attention to Psalm 46.

“We know when we’ve taken our eyes off God, our refuge and strength, because our joy starts to dissipate.”

Psalm 46[1] ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. [5] God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. [6] Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. [7] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [8] Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. [10] He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11] The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’

Laying down any burdens of anxiety

“As I was preparing this word, I felt like worry and anxiety has been one of those rocks or stones for some of you. Give your worries to God as He commissions you forward."

And he reminds us of the simple, powerful call of disciple-making:

“All we have to do is passionately go after God. We don’t have to stress about the results. You can sum up DMM in one word: obey.”

Let this word strengthen your heart. Keep your eyes on Jesus—both the Lion and the Lamb.

🎥 A video of this episode is also available here.

In this episode, Dave once again shares at our Launch 25 gathering, this time focusing on the ‘soil’ from which God births movements—the importance of movement values and our personal calling from God. 

Vision - where movements always start

To begin, reflecting on movements seen in hard-to-reach areas, Dave invites an 81-year-old seasoned movement leader (unnamed for security reasons) to share his powerful experience of seeing over 40,000 churches planted across unreached regions of India. This unnamed movement leader highlights the first key characteristic of movement - a clear God-given vision. This vision begins with a personal encounter with God and the recognition that every aspect of life must be viewed from a kingdom perspective.

Other movement values

Dave then dives into the DNA of movements, such as rapid multiplication, leadership development, and the central role of prayer. Dave reflects on the example of David Watson in India, where movements started in historically unreached states, and how the Discovery Bible Study became a tool for leaders to explore God’s word together.

• Calling: Movements start with a personal call from God, as seen in the story of a leader in India who, after a deep personal encounter with God, saw over 100,000 churches planted through a group of men in a slum.

• Team: Movements thrive when they work in teams, emphasising collaboration over individual leadership.

• Multiplication: Rapid multiplication is key at all levels—churches, disciples, and leaders.

• Prayer: Passionate, abundant prayer is foundational. Movements in India didn’t break through until 100,000 people were praying for them.

• Obedience-Driven Discipleship: Movements emphasise obedience to God’s Word, which leads to personal and collective transformation.

• Gift-Based Leadership: Leadership is function-based, not positional, empowering everyone to contribute according to their gifts.

• Access Ministries: Creative approaches are used to access communities and meet needs in meaningful ways.

The Three Worlds of Mission

Dave breaks down the three primary worlds where mission takes place:

1. The Unreached World: Places like India, China, and Muslim regions where movements are taking root.

2. The Christian World: Countries like Uganda, PNG, and Russia, where resistance often comes from established church systems.

3. The Post-Christian World: Western nations (e.g. Europe, Australia), where mission work is harder due to secularism and cultural shifts.

Three fundamental core values of movements 

1. The Spirit: Movements are works of the Holy Spirit. We can't take credit for movements. It's all the Spirit turning up and working in people's lives.

2. The Word of God: The Word is number one. It isn’t a commodity and we can’t slice and dice it. Jesus himself is the Word and He spoke about it being planted in us (Parable of the Sower). We are transformed if we respond in obedience to God's Word.

3. Mission: If you follow Jesus, you're on mission. Jesus is God's mission and we find ourselves following him to the lost and broken. 

The DMM Wheel

Dave shares about Pray, Go, Disciple and Multiply - what he calls the ‘DMM Wheel’ which has been a helpful framework for walking out the essential values of movement. 

Personal Challenge

Dave encourages us to examine our own hearts and consider the soil of our lives. How is God calling you, and what are the obstacles or distractions that may prevent you from following His call?

The episode ends with a challenge to persevere in the race God has set before us, emphasising the importance of mentorship and being shaped by God’s heart through prayer and obedience.

May this talk encourage you to reflect on the deeper aspects of your heart as God invites us to join Him in bringing movements to life!

As we continue our Launch 25 series, this episode highlights four inspiring electives from four passionate disciple-makers. We begin with Brian, who reflects on two of Jesus’ parables and what they mean for us as disciple-makers. Hannah then shares how she has seen prayer multiply in her journey with Afghans. Next, Sally introduces a creative way to engage people through Discovery Dinners. Finally, Roger introduces us to Sam who takes us to New Zealand, where groups are forming among Maori communities!

Elective 1: Brian – What Would I Give Everything Up For?

Brian explores what it means to be treasure hunters in the Kingdom, reflecting on Jesus’ parables of the pearl of great price and the hidden treasure (Matt 13:44-46). He challenges us to consider what we are willing to give up for the sake of making disciples and reminds us that the greatest treasure is seeing lost people transformed by Jesus.

“We have the opportunity to learn to love people we have never met, rather than just loving the people we’ve already met.” – Brian

Elective 2: Hannah – Multiplying Prayer

Hannah shares her journey of multiplying prayer while reaching Afghans. She encourages us in three key areas:

1. Team: Pray with others who share your heart. After joining a prayer-filled disciple-making community in Melbourne, Hannah developed a lifestyle of prayer.

“If we are going to multiply prayer, we first need a lifestyle of prayer ourselves.” – Hannah

2. Prayer Partners: Have a support network backing you in prayer. Hannah built a team of intercessors to stand with her in prayer.

3. Mobilizing Prayer: Take practical steps to multiply prayer in your context. This could be prayer walking, committing to regular prayer times, or forming new prayer partnerships. Hannah’s journey led her to pray on (or near) location for Afghanistan and later for the Afghan diaspora worldwide.

Pray4Afghans

Hannah also shares how her Pray4Afghans prayer initiative was birthed from this prayer: “What’s it going to take to reach Afghans?”. God responded: “A people on their knees and an army of workers.” This initiative began with a three-day global prayer and fasting effort and has now grown into a monthly 24-hour prayer network, mobilising more people to step into intercession.

Elective 3: Sally – Discovery Dinners

Sally highlights to us the importance of identifying brokenness in our communities.

“Address the brokenness before you address the lostness.” – Sally

For her, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, it was a sense of purposelessness. She and her husband, Michael, started hosting what they call 'Discovery Dinners' —gatherings where people explore their life purpose through their own stories and the stories of Jesus. These dinners serve as a practical tool for both self-discovery and introducing people to Jesus, helping them connect their purpose with Him.

Listen in to learn how Discovery Dinners work and click here to access some Discovery Dinner Resources to get you started.

Elective 4: Roger & Sam – Starting Groups in the Harvest

We hear firsthand stories from New Zealand, where groups are forming among Maori gangs. After a training led by Roger, Sam was stirred by a divine dissatisfaction. Inspired by a prophetic vision of a global disciple-making movement, Sam searched for a model that could scale. When he encountered Discovery Bible Study (DBS) through Roger’s training, he knew he had found the answer.

Sam started with his existing men’s group, and soon DBS spread throughout the church, leading to multiplication. Over time, social change began to emerge—what Sam sees as an indicator of true movement.

“Who is in your sphere of influence? Stay in that community and start a discovery group!” - Sam

For more insights, check out Sam’s website.

“Plug into a wider DMM community. We thought we were alone, but of course, we weren’t!” - Sam

Listen in for practical wisdom and inspiring stories from these four elec...

In this episode, we hear from Klaus Lehtimaki and Peter Nicholes at our Launch 25 gathering, where they share insights on the vital DMM (Disciple-Making Movement) principles, referred to as “Raising The Seven Sails.” These principles are based on the teachings of movement leader and author, Chris Galanos. (If you missed it, check out our previous podcast series with Chris: Megachurch to Multiplication).

While we cannot create a movement on our own—since it’s ultimately the work of God—raising the sails makes space for His Spirit to fill and empower the work. Listen and be inspired and encouraged to raise your own sails for movement with others.

Watch the video of this talk here.

Questions for Reflection:

As you listen or watch, reflect on the principles Klaus and Peter discuss, either individually or in a group, by considering these questions related to each of the Seven Sails:

1. Focus on God’s Word

"Honour God by being obedient to his Word or dishonour God by being disobedient."

What steps are you or your team taking to engage with and learn from Scripture?

How are you progressing in obeying what you discover in the Word?

2. Multiply Extraordinary Prayer

"Desperate prayer occurs when the vision is bigger than what we can do ourselves."

How are you increasing the intensity or depth of your prayer life?

What steps are you taking to multiply prayer efforts for movements?

"God does nothing except through prayer."

3. Cast Vision

"It's not a one person dingy, it's not a two person boat, it's a ship. You need a team to get this done."

What are two ways you’ve effectively cast vision?

How are you finding believers (individuals, groups, leaders, or churches) to cast vision with?

"There are 'believers of peace' who are dissatisfied in our churches but they don't know the pathway."

4. Train Believers

"Vision is not enough. You have to give new disciples an avenue to be trained."

What key principles and simple skills are you training others in?

How are you inviting people to join in training?

Can you share a recent experience where you trained believers to go out and disciple others?

"It's a decluttering of the old to embrace the new."

5. Go Out Among the Lost

“We become truly comfortable among the lost only when we spend time with them.”

Who are you praying for or engaging with in your community?

How are you intentionally relating to lost people in your everyday life?

What time are you dedicating to your GOAL (Going Out Among the Lost)?

Can you share an example of a spiritual conversation or a time you shared the gospel?

6. See Groups Start

"In order to see a group start, we have to be among the lost to find the persons of peace."

How do you encourage people to start a group?

What core principles guide your discovery groups?

What practices have helped sustain groups and guide them toward becoming churches?

7. Ongoing Coaching

"Training isn't enough. If you don't stay in the game by getting coached, it all dies."

What coaching do you have for your own growth?

How do you coach others?

Who might you invite into a coaching relationship (either in a group or one-on-one)?

"We have elite athletes, but where are our elite Christians?"

Equip Yourself to Raise the Sails:

As you apply these essential practices, you’ll be better equipped to catch the movement of God’s Spirit and navigate challenges effectively.

We continue our series from the Launch 25 gathering. This episode we hear from DMM practitioner, Jim Britts again on the four habits of a disciple-maker. This is a condensed version of four 5 minute talks by Jim that he made for us at Launch. Jim’s 4 habits are in line with our values of Pray, Go, Disciple and Multiply. 

As you listen, you might want to pause after each habit and look at how you can apply what Jim is sharing. You can also engage with some questions and resources below after you listen to each habit. 

Habit #1 - Prayer (Tool #1: Prayer Calendar) 

What is the difference between discipleship and disciple-making?

What could we do differently when it comes to prayer? 

What could happen if we developed regular prayer habits focused on disciple-making?

Tool #1 - Prayer Calendar: Fill in a 30 day prayer calendar with names of those who you want to pray for.

What will I do in response? (What is my “I will…” statement/s?)

Habit #2 - Engage (Tool #2: Four Quadrants) 

Where is God leading me to engage with lostness and pain?

What’s stopping me from engaging with lost people?

What do I need to do to have more space to engage with lost people? 

Tool #2 - Four Quadrants: Write the names of those you are having Casual, Meaningful, Spiritual or Discovery conversations with. 

What’s my “I will…” statement/s?

Habit #3 - Discovery Bible Study (DBS) (Tool #3 - DBS)

Jim talked about a Person of Peace. What’s a Person of Peace look like? Is there anyone in my context who might be a Person of Peace? 

How do I do discovery in my world? 

What do I need to change in the way I make disciples? 

Tool #3 - DBS: Questions and tips to facilitate a DBS

What’s my “I will…” statement/s?

Habit #4 - Plant (Tool #4 - Stories)

Where am I in the process of forming disciple-making relationships and communities? 

What are the next steps I need to take? 

Reflect on the last four sessions, what skills do I need to develop so I can connect with people and start discovery groups? 

Tool #4 - Stories: Which Bible stories have impacted me that I can be ready to share?

What’s my “I will…” statement/s?’

Be equipped to become a disciple-maker by responding with practical steps from this episode. You could also listen or watch Jim’s videos here with others on your team or in your community.  

Get your copy of Jim Britt's book - 21 Days To Becoming A Disciple Maker.

In this episode, we kick off a series featuring talks from our Launch 25 gathering in Melbourne. We begin with Dave Lawton, sharing how God led him and Colleen from observing movements in India to being called to see the same happen in the Western world. Be inspired as we pray together: God—do it here!

Observing Movements in India

Dave recounts how he and Colleen witnessed movements sparking in India. They saw firsthand how catalytic leaders helped movements emerge—one example being a group of young Hindu men who, through simple obedience to Jesus, saw demons cast out and lives transformed.

The Call to the West

Just as movements were exploding in India, God called the Lawtons back to Australia. Though they longed to return to where they saw God moving, His answer was clear: No.

“Just as North India was once called the ‘graveyard of missions,’ today we see the Western church in decline—a graveyard that can become a fruitful vineyard.”

“What God is doing over there [in places like India], He wants to do here [in the West].”

How Will Movement Happen in the West?

Not through big personalities, big budgets, or big buildings. Movement will happen as the Spirit of God comes, empowering ordinary people to obey His Word and step into the harvest.

Right now, tens of millions are entering the Kingdom in some of the most challenging places on earth. And God wants to do the same in our Western context.

The Story of Joseph from India

After Joseph and a group of Indian disciples prayed, God moved powerfully. The result? 50,000 churches planted and thousands of new believers baptised every year.

When Dave and the team visited Joseph a few years ago, Joseph asked:

“What’s the population of Australia? 23 million? You can do that! Go and take Australia!”

What’s God Doing Across the Planet Today?

“Acts has not finished.”

God is moving today as He did in Acts 2, and He is calling us to pray and ask for the ‘God difference’—for His Spirit to move and send us out. Our role is to hear His voice and respond with obedience.

What Will It Take?

Seeing movement isn’t about theory—it requires real surrender. It will take:

1. Passionate, obedient, ordinary disciples willing to lay down their lives and go.

2. Breaking traditional structures so the gospel can multiply freely.

The Tide Is Turning

Last year, as we prayed, God spoke: “The tide is turning.”

And now, we are beginning to see it—not just through us, but around us. When the tide turns, all the boats rise. But this shift will shake us. It will bring resistance, even persecution.

“We have to go through what those in places like India have gone through.”

Prayer (from John 20:21-22)

“Jesus, when You walk into the room, we hand over the keys. We step aside and let You take charge. We don’t have what it takes—we need You to move, just as You did with Your disciples. Make us into passionate, multiplying people, ready to be sent by You. Let us feel Your breath on our face and hear You whisper, ‘As the Father sent Me, I send you. Now go!’”

Listen in and be stirred to pray, God—do it here!

In this episode, we hear from ‘Steve,’ a DMM social media catalyst and practitioner who shared at the 2024 Nairobi Conference. Steve gives us insight into how social media can be used to find people of peace and transition from online engagement to real-life disciple-making.

Steve’s journey highlights both the potential and limitations of digital disciple-making. He emphasises the importance of on-the-ground disciple-makers. His message is clear: we should use media wisely—to catalyse movements, not replace real-life discipleship.

Steve’s Story & Lessons Learned

“The faster that they can meet face to face, the more likely they are to multiply.”

While caring for his terminally ill wife, Steve turned to social media to continue making disciples. He initially tried online Discovery Bible Studies (DBS) but soon realised that true disciple-making requires face-to-face relationships. This led him to experiment with running ads to connect with seekers and find persons of peace.

One of the stories he shares is about Madonna, a young Muslim woman drawn to Jesus. However, she ultimately lacked a local disciple-maker to walk with her, underscoring the critical need for on-the-ground believers.

Challenges in Using Social Media for Disciple-Making

• Media doesn’t make disciples—only disciples make disciples.

“It’s easier to teach a disciple-maker how to use social media than it is to teach a social media person how to make disciples.”

• Broadcasting faith content isn’t enough; engagement and relationship-building are key.

• Online seekers need local, Spirit-filled believers to walk with them.

How Social Media to Movement Works (Finding People of Peace Online)

“Yes, social media is a dark place, but we need to be shining the light of Jesus into this darkness.”

1. Attracting Seekers – Media is used to attract spiritual seekers who are already on a spiritual journey.

2. Identifying Seekers – When engaging with people online, the goal isn’t to convince them but to identify those who are genuinely seeking.

3. Filtering Responses – Digital filterers help discern legitimate seekers through relational engagement rather than debate.

4. Connecting to Face-to-Face Discipleship – Once seekers are identified, they should be connected with local disciple-makers as quickly as possible. The faster they meet in person, the more likely they are to multiply.

Observations from the Most Fruitful Fields

• Disciple-making happens face-to-face, not online.

• Digital filterers should have bridge-building spiritual gifts. They focus on relational engagement rather than debating or convincing people.

• Effective disciple-makers prioritise starting groups within existing networks of seekers.

• Local, experienced, and proven disciple-makers are best suited for filtering seekers.

• The focus should be on disciple-makers, not just hiring people for online or offline engagement. This is spiritual work—social media is only an access ministry. We are not making disciples online.

• The most fruit often comes from the hardest places.

Steve’s Vision & Next Steps

Steve’s vision is to create systems, processes, and tools that anyone can use to find persons of peace online. The goal is to test, refine, and replicate these processes to train disciple-makers in DMM. The hope is to develop scalable systems that can be freely shared across the Kingdom of God.

What We Need to Use Social Media for Disciple-Making

• At least two committed disciple-making movement workers

• Access to laptops, computers, reliable phones, and internet

• A network of disciple-makers who can meet face-to-face with seekers

Steve's Final Encouragement

“Let’s go and take everything we have learned to the ends of the earth.”

This episode challenges us to see social media not as the end goal but as a tool—one that can help find seekers and connect them with real-life disciple-makers.

In this episode, our friend and movement author Steve Addison shares powerful stories from his global travels as he researches how God is at work. One of the most remarkable movements he has encountered is happening inside maximum security prisons in Houston, Texas, where disciple-making is transforming ‘death row’ into ‘life row.’

God’s Glory on ‘Death Row’

In six of the fourteen prison sections, 80 out of 168 prisoners have turned to Christ, forming multiplying disciple-making groups and churches. Over the past three years, 24 men have been executed, and 20 of them were disciples of Jesus—a powerful testimony of transformation behind bars.

Prisoners are putting it this way:

“This isn’t death row for us—it’s life row because we have found Jesus.”

So What Can We Learn?

The movement in these prisons challenges us with key lessons:

• Raising the Bar of Discipleship – Only those serious about change are invested in.

• Baptism = Commissioning – Like Jesus’ baptism, every believer is ordained to make disciples.

• Simple, Reproducible Methods – Disciple-making training and equipping at its core.

• Deep Love and Generosity – A community marked by sincere love.

• Partnership – Working with prison authorities to see transformation.

Movement in the West

God is starting movements in prisons, what about us on the world outside? These same principles can bring transformation anywhere.

Steve’s Encouragement for Us

Are we practicing simple, reproducible disciple-making like Jesus and the early church? Our identity isn’t in the results—trust God for the fruit and stay faithful in the basics of discipleship.

Let’s take what’s happening in prisons as a challenge: If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere.