#2 || What is DTS?
So, you may have noticed that I talked a lot about a Discipleship Training School or DTS in my previous post, which may beg the question, “…well, what is a DTS?”
Look no further! This post will bring the much-needed explanation that you are looking for!
A Discipleship Training School is a five-to-six-month training school offered by Youth With A Mission with the main aim of equipping individuals to get started on two major values; to know God and to make Him known.
This is done through a mixture of classroom learning, small group activities, personal reflection, practical service, and community living; often in two parts known as a lecture and outreach phase. The lecture phase is usually done at a YWAM base, with the outreach phase being moved over to an international location; with the heart being community engagement and transformation.
Lecture Phase
The first phase of DTS is based largely within the classroom over a period of 11/12 weeks; delivering lectures ranging from Bible Overview, the Father Heart of God, Triune Nature of God, Holy Spirit, Spiritual Giftings, Cultural Learning and much more. All through this time, students are encouraged to engage in self-reflection; taking time to address areas within themselves that need correction, re-alignment or even removal. It’s a precious time that is intermingled with local ministry, peer-to-peer bonding and community engagement.
Outreach Phase
The second phase of DTS is the culmination of the previous 12 weeks, with every skill, lesson and teaching being taken out into the mission field. For the most part, this is taken internationally, going out to different communities and areas to meet felt needs and bring light to communities through the sharing of the Gospel and ministering to individuals, families and whole communities. This is an amazing time of seeing God move and lives being transformed through the serving of communities and the ministering of the Gospel to all who receive and need it.
Interested?
There is so much more that I could write about this, and I will share my own experiences of DTS, both the lecture phase and outreach. But if you are interested already, then check out: ywam.org/dts
Here you can find more information, about DTSs across the globe, and maybe even find one that is local to you or in a nation that God is putting on your heart. Don’t be afraid to step out into it, and see where God wants you to go!
