Six Thinking Hats

I always reference this book during my first session of Discipleship One and I encourage everybody I train to use it. As I prepare people for their year-long journey, their year-long discussion, I give out a handout describing each hat. I do a quick intro of De Bono’s method and purpose. Then I give a few examples in each hat category. I walk them through a thought process like Sally’s (see the real-life story below) showing them how they can recognize “how” they are talking to me or God and how they can walk through each of the hats to think well about what they are learning. You will be amazed at how much better disciples communicate with you and how improved their ability to assimilate and apply God’s simple truths become. In Discipleship One, this is just an intro, a help. We do not read the book.

In Discipleship Two or Three, we read the book in its entirety gaining more depth and broadening the truths about God’s design of our brains, personalities, and thinking styles. We read this book in its entirety and review it upon completion. If I have disciples read this in Discipleship Two, I read it in the last half of the year.

You should read this now if you have never read it before. It will supercharge your ability to guide the thinking process. It will also help you control the group because in disciple-making groups you should be the only one wearing the blue hat. You cannot let them steal it or you will go off the rails. Because I use this as an intro in Discipleship One, disciples have already heard me say lightheartedly, “I will be wearing the blue hat. You don’t get to take that away.” And, when someone in the group gets ready to take control, they hear me say it again, “Hey, Bob. You’re stealing my blue hat. Give it back.”