Hi everyone! In this blog we’re going to talk about the Discipleship Training School (DTS) here at YWAM North Idaho! Hopefully this gives you a good understanding of the purpose behind the DTS to help you decide if this is something the Lord is calling you to do. We’d love to get in contact with you if you have any questions, so please email us at info@ywamnorthidaho.org or call us at (208) 582-4312.
DTS combines both discipleship and training in order to develop, equip and mobilize Christ followers so that they can know God and make Him known among all the earth. DTS is an acronym for Discipleship Training School and understanding the DTS is largely connected to understanding its name! What do we mean by Discipleship? What do we mean by Training? What type of school is the DTS?
Discipleship
To us, discipleship means willingly opening our whole selves to God and our family in Christ. We prioritize discipleship because Christ said, “Now go and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to do all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). Discipleship is inextricably linked to sanctification. Discipleship requires intentional time, energy, and commitment which requires us to open ourselves up to encouragement and the building up of faith, as well as critique and exhortation in order to live in a way that glorifies Christ by obeying His commands. We believe that discipleship within the body of Christ is the primary way through which we are refined to become more like Christ so that we can reflect Him to the world around us. Any potential student should think seriously about their readiness to dive deep with God and the community at YWAM North Idaho in order to grow in holiness and intimacy with the Lord.
Training
Training involves teaching and equipping our students so that they can effectively and passionately live life completely devoted to Christ and His global mission. Training in the DTS comes through lecture, but also through experiential learning during evangelism and Thai class! In addition to equipping our students for life following God’s plan for them, our training is directed towards unreached-focused missions focusing on Thailand. Our training covers all areas of Christian life with special emphasis on discipleship, missions, evangelism/apologetics, and inductive Bible study.
DTS is for those seeking to:
1) Grow in spiritual maturity through holistic discipleship
2) Cultivate a more intimate relationship with God
3) Learn how to actively and zealously live to make God known among all the nations of the earth.
Lecture and Outreach
DTS is divided into two main parts: "lecture phase" and "outreach phase." In the lecture phase, students spend 12 weeks cultivating their intimacy with God, knowledge of God, and spiritual maturity while being equipped to live out His will for their lives. Students are immersed in a wide range of topics central to Christianity; some examples are listed below. Unique to our DTS are weekly teachings on apologetics, biblical studies, and Thai language and culture training. Outreach phase is 10 weeks in Thailand during which staff and students partner with local Christian ministries evangelizing, preaching, and serving the Thai people.
A Potential List for Lecture Topics:
Hearing God’s Voice
Nature and Character of God
Person and Work of Jesus
Identity
Relationships
Missions
Evangelism
Lordship
Holy Spirit
Spiritual Warfare
Biblical Worldview
Faith in Missions
If you are interested in DTS, be sure to check out this resource to help guide you in choosing a DTS location: https://ywam.org/training/how-do-i-choose-a-dts/
We desire for you to be where God would want you, and we would love to help you along on that journey, whether you end up with us or another YWAM base! Feel free to contact us about any questions. Email at info@ywamnorthidaho.org or call at (208) 582-4312.
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