The Person of Peace (POP)

Finding a Person of Peace and Helping Them and Their Family and Friends Discover Relationship with Jesus Together.

Recently, three people, fresh from Disciple-Making Movement (DMM) training, approached me with the same heartfelt question: “How do I help a Person of Peace start a group?” Each one met their Person of Peace in a unique setting—a travel team, a workplace, and a local park. Their contexts differ, but their desire is the same: to join Jesus in His work of drawing people to Himself.

Who Is a Person of Peace?

A Person of Peace (POP) is someone God is already stirring, someone open to the message of Jesus and ready to share it with their community. They welcome the Jesus in you, open their circle of family and friends (their oikos), listen to the Holy Spirit, but aren’t yet followers of Jesus. In other words, they’re WOOLY—drawn by God, waiting for you to step into their lives and walk with them toward Jesus.

This isn’t something you force or manufacture. God is already at work in their hearts, often in supernatural ways. Take, for example, a story shared by Chris Galanos of Experience Life Church. In one of their coaching sessions, a man recounted a dream where he saw a stranger and felt God telling him, “When you meet this person, go to them for direction.” Months later, he saw a disciple in his community, recognized him from the dream, and approached him, saying, “I’ve been seeing you in my dreams, and I came to you for direction.” This divine encounter led to a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) that transformed his family and friends. Stories like this echo across the Muslim world, where dreams of Jesus often spark faith journeys, like Hawa’s in the Horn of Africa, who saw Jesus weeping for her, or a former Hezbollah fighter who met Jesus in a vision and left violence behind.

These stories remind us: God is already moving. Our role is to pray, listen, and join Him where He’s working.

How to Guide a Person of Peace to Start a Discovery Bible Study

A Discovery Bible Study is a simple way for people to explore God’s Word together, hear His voice, and follow Him. It’s not about teaching or preaching—it’s about letting the Holy Spirit lead through Scripture. Here’s how you can walk alongside a Person of Peace to start one, keeping your heart tuned to Jesus’ work:

1. Build a Relationship Rooted in Love

Start with genuine care. Share a meal, listen to their story, or serve them in a practical way. Explain that a DBS is a chance to explore Jesus’ words with friends or family in a relaxed, open way. For example, you might say, “What if we read a story about Jesus together with a few people you know? We can talk about what it means to you.” This invites them into a journey with Jesus without pressure.

2. Show Them How It Works

Invite your Person of Peace (and maybe one or two others they trust) to a simple gathering. Pick a short Bible story—like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41), or John 1. Read it twice, ask someone to retell it in their own words, and discuss:

What does this tell us about God?

What does it tell us about people?

If this is true, how will you respond?

Who can you share this with?

This models how easy it is to let Scripture speak. Let Jesus’ words do the work.

3. Encourage Them to Take the Lead

After one or two sessions, invite them to gather their own group—family, friends, or neighbors. Offer to support them as they lead their first DBS, but step back quickly. Say, “You can do this! Just read the story and ask the same questions.” If cultural dynamics (like in some Muslim or Hindu contexts) make your presence sensitive, coach them from the start to lead without you. The goal is for them to own it, trusting Jesus to guide them.

4. Walk Alongside Them with Prayer

Check in regularly—maybe daily at first—through a call, text, or coffee. Pray for them constantly, asking Jesus to soften hearts and give them courage. When they hit bumps, like low turnout or tough questions, point them back to Scripture and pray together. Your role is to cheer them on as they follow Jesus’ lead.

5. Keep It Simple and Reproducible

A DBS doesn’t need fancy tools—just a Bible (or oral stories if reading is a barrier) and a heart open to Jesus. Resist the urge to add sermons or complex teachings. Let the Holy Spirit speak through the Word in their community.

6. Be Patient and Trust God’s Timing

Joining Jesus means moving at His pace. Building trust takes time, and spiritual growth isn’t rushed. Stay faithful, keep praying, and watch for His work.

7. Let Discovery Lead to Transformation

As they discuss Scripture, let the group uncover Truth together. Your job isn’t to teach but to facilitate questions that point to Jesus. His Spirit will reveal what they need.

8. Encourage Them to Invite Others

A Person of Peace is a bridge to their community. Urge them to invite everyone they know—family, friends, neighbors. God chose them to carry His love to their network, just like the man in the dream who found his guide.

9. Stay Rooted in Prayer

Every step of this journey depends on Jesus. Pray for open hearts, divine appointments, and courage for your Person of Peace. Trust that He’s already working in them.

10. Guide Them Toward Salvation and Baptism

When the Holy Spirit prompts, talk with your Person of Peace about following Jesus fully. Coach them to share their story of meeting Jesus at a baptism they choose—maybe a lake, a pool.

Joining Jesus in His Work
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Helping a Person of Peace start a Discovery Bible Study isn’t about following a formula—it’s about joining Jesus in what He’s already doing. Whether it’s a parent on a travel team, a coworker, or someone from a park, God is speaking to them, maybe even through dreams. Your role is to pray, love, and walk with them as Jesus draws them closer. Trust Him to make the supernatural connections, and watch how He builds His family through their obedience.