“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
—MATTHEW 16:24
DATE Feb 20-22, 2026
LOCATION
DFBC Main Campus
323 W Wheatland Rd
Duncanville, TX 75116
INVESTMENT $70 per student
FOLLOWER
LIVING AN AUTHENTIC FAITH
There is a craving in our world for realness. The buzzword “authentic” is a buzzword for a reason. We want the people we do life with to be authentic. We want the brands and movements we support to be authentic. We expect those who lead us to be authentic. We want the things that matter to us to be real. To be true. We want the experiences and encounters we have to be what they are supposed to be.
But what about our faith? Are we willing to ask what an authentic relationship with Christ looks like? And once we find out, are we willing to do something about it? How do we pursue a faith that’s real? The Bible goes into great detail to show what an authentic faith looks like. But the heart of this definition comes in a few words from Jesus, a short phrase, uttered by Christ at the beginning of His ministry. “Follow me.”
FOLLOWER ::: THEME VIDEO
SESSION BREAKOUT
Sessions 1-3 will take place during the weekend. Session 4 will close the books during FUEL, our mid-week youth gathering on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM.
Session 1 ::: The Call to Follow Becoming a Christian is about faith. Salvation is made possible by God through the work of His Son, Jesus. Most of us know what kind of life we were saved from. But what kind of life are we saved to? What does it mean to truly live an authentic faith-life? We will learn that living out our faith starts with following Christ. We’ll be challenged to think about who or what they are following.
Session 2 ::: What Does It Mean To Follow? Students should have firmly grasped the concept that the foundation of an authentic faith is not just admiring Jesus from afar, but fully following Him. This session will answer the vitally important question: “What does this look like?” We’ll look at four different snapshots from Scripture to define what it means to follow Jesus. We will have a chance to look at our lives and see if our faith matches up.
Session 3 ::: The Cost Of Following We know what it looks like to live out our faith in our day-to-day lives, but do we understand what it will cost us? This session will help us understand the cost of following Christ and help us see that it’s worth every moment we spend walking with God.
Session 4 ::: A Boost For The Journey In this final lesson, we’ll spend time wrapping up our time spent studying Follower by encouraging our students as they strive to live out what they’ve learned. We’ll use four different passages of Scripture to help encourage them to be intentional in their faith (1 Corinthians 9:24-27), to be strong when it gets tough (2 Corinthians 4:7-9), to be encouraged that the Spirit goes with them (John 14:25-27), and to be motivated by Christ (Hebrews 12:1-3).
DNOW 2026 Schedule
EVENT DAYS
- FRIDAY - FEB 20
- SATURDAY - FEB 21
- SUNDAY - FEB 22
- WEDNESDAY - FEB 25
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FRIDAY - FEB 20 20266:00 PM Welcome!
Parents will drop their students off on Friday, February 20, at 6:00 PM. There will be no transportation available. In case the student needs a ride, the family should carpool with friends or contact the Youth Leadership.
6:30 PM Dinner7:30 Games / Icebreaker Activities10:30 PM Wind Down + Bed Time -
SATURDAY - FEB 21 20267:30 PM Breakfast8:30 AM Session I ::: The Call to Follow
Session Purpose: To introduce the concept of “following” as the true foundation for their faith- relationship with Christ, and to get students thinking about whether or not they follow Christ’s example or someone else’s.
Speaker : TBD11:30 AM Games / Icebreaker Activities12:00 PM Lunch1:00 PM Guy Time, Girl TimeGender-specific small groups—a supportive and focused setting for students to connect and delve into meaningful discussions on key topics from previous sessions.
2:00 PM Free time3:30 PM Worship Session4:00 PM Prayer time4:30 PM Games / Icebreaker Activities / Shower Time6:00 PM Dinner7:00 PM Games / Icebreaker Activities8:00 PM Session II - What Does It Mean To Follow?Session Purpose: To define what it means to follow Jesus, and to challenge your students to compare their own faith with this definition, looking for ways they’re both on and off track.
Speaker : TBD10:30 PM Wind Down + Bed Time -
SUNDAY - FEB 22 202607:00 AM Breakfast8:00 AM Session III - The Cost Of Following
Session Purpose: To remind your students that following Jesus is not without its cost, but to encourage them that following Christ is still the only way to real life.
Speaker : TBD10:00 AM Worship Service with the Church11:30 AM Lunch12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Parents Pick UpThe program is scheduled to be over by the end of the Sunday morning service at DFBC on Sunday, February 22. Parents will pick students up at The Pit between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM.
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WEDNESDAY ::: FUEL - FEB 25 20266:00 PM Games / Icebreaker Activities6:30 PM Worship Session6:50 PM Session IV - A Boost For The Journey
Session Purpose: To remind your students that following Jesus is not without its cost, but to encourage them that following Christ is still the only way to real life.
Speaker : TBD8:00 PM Dismissal
TIME IS RUNNING FAST!
Don't miss out on this extraordinary journey happening from Feb 20-22. Secure your spot by filling out the registration form below.
SMALL INVESTMENT, HUGE GROWTH
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Come join the world’s influencers and get answers.
DNOW as experienced
by our students
-
- $70per student
- Includes:
- Bible study materials
- Meals
- General costs
- REGISTER NOW
- MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT
- Select the STUDENT MINISTRY Fund
and write the name of the student
on the MEMO field.
Any questions or concerns?
We're here for you!
Do not hesitate to reach out by email, text, or call using the information below. We will reach out to you ASAP!
323 Wheatland Rd
Duncanville, TX 75116 USA
Phone: (972) 298-1435
Mobile (Diego Mota): (972) 740-0501
Email : [email protected]
Frequently asked questions
Some frequently asked questions for you.
What is DNOW, and how is it different from other youth events?
DNOW stands for Disciple Now, a weekend retreat designed for deepening spiritual growth among students. Unlike traditional events, DNOW offers an immersive experience, focusing on intentional discipleship, small group discussions, and community building. It's an opportunity for students to pause, reflect, and strengthen their faith.
What can I expect during the DNOW weekend, and what is the theme for 2024?
The DNOW weekend is packed with dynamic worship sessions, engaging small group discussions, exciting activities, and meaningful moments of reflection. As for the theme of DNOW 2024, it's "The Pause." This theme invites participants to step back from the busyness of life, connect with God, and explore practices like prayer, scripture memorization, and Bible study. Get ready for a transformative experience that goes beyond a typical event—it's a journey of spiritual discovery!
What is the age range allowed to participate?
Our youth group is open to students in grades 7 through 12. We welcome young individuals who are eager to explore their faith, build lasting friendships, and embark on a journey of spiritual growth.