Discipleship Training School (DTS)
“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)
InformationTop ↑
The Discipleship Training School (DTS) is the entry level school into YWAM. It is an intensive course of 5 to 6 months that has been offered by YWAM for over 30 years now, in many countries of the world. The DTS program aims at helping you “To know God and make Him known”, by being transformed in character and relationships into the image of Jesus, as you develop your daily walk with God.
The Family Ministries Discipleship Training School is held from July to December each year as a Crossroads Discipleship Training School (UofN course code IDS 703) with a family emphasis. This CDTS is for parents and single parents, couples and single folk who want to be with families. The focus is on the students going deeper with God and we provide a family friendly environment.
Crystal Springs is also home to Pursuits NZ Ministries. Pursuits conducts two DTS a year and focusing on discipling young people through specific areas namely music, worship, outdoor adventure, surfing and skating. Pursuits have also recently pioneered the School of Signs and Wonders which is a 12 week, level 2 school (with an optional 8-12 week outreach phase) that aims to impact lives through imparting greater levels of faith and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. For more information please visit their homepage.
Scenes from our classroomsTop ↑
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Basic StructureTop ↑
The school is a “live-in” 20 to 24 week school that is arranged in two parts: 12 weeks of class room teaching (“Lecture Phase”), followed by 8 to 12 weeks in active evangelism in a cross-cultural setting (“Outreach Phase”).
The Outreach Phase is regarded as a vital part of the training programme. This is the time when the students really “go on the stretch” to live out what they have learned.
Local and/or overseas outreach locations will be decided by the school leader and staff.
Student’s lectures and workshops will mainly be within children’s normal school hours. Most evenings and weekends are free (for study purposes), apart from each student being required to help with some work duties. Sometimes we do a one evening a week outreach during the school. Students are encouraged to attend a local church of their choice on Sunday with their family.
Lecture Phase
Visiting speakers and DTS staff teach in the lecture phase of the DTS. Students are also required to attend the base worship and intercession times each week. One evening meeting each week, which is open to the community, is voluntary for the students.
The Youth With A Mission Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a standardised course throughout New Zealand and the world. The School is designed to train Christians to be, and make, disciples of Jesus Christ. To achieve this goal, four main aims are emphasised on the DTS.
Topics
1. Knowing God as a Christian: Father Heart of God Character and Nature of God Bible Study, Meditation and Memorisation Authority and Validity Intercession and Prayer Guidance and Hearing God’s Voice
2. Mandate of the Christian: The Cross, Atonement, Resurrection Being Full of Spirit Basic Doctrines World Missions Biblical World View
3. Methods of the Christian: Healing and Deliverance Spritual Warfare Dealings with the Occult Faith and Finance Evangelism Public Sermons Children’s Work Local Fellowships Praise and Worship
4. Character of the Christian: Handling, Temptation, Fear, Condemnation, Hurts etc. Identity, Self-worth Submission, Obedience and Authority Relating to our Spouse, Children & Others Spirit, Soul and Body
Note: Due to the DTS only having 12 weeks of lectures not all of the above topics will be taught. The topics taught will be the decision of the DTS Director.
Small Groups
Much of the effectiveness of the course depends on participation in small groups. The purpose of the small groups are to:
1. Help the students understand and apply the teaching to their lives through group discussion.
2. Help the students learn to share themselves to get to know the group.
3. Provide each leader with the opportunity to get to know the group.
4. Help students learn to intercede effectively.
5. Teach the importance of small group life; especially by encouraging students in group participation and use of spiritual gifts
6. Provide opportunity for learning in “workshop” situations.
Other Requirements lecture phase
Students will be required to do the following assignments:
1. Weekly Journal – Each week the student has to submit a written report of what they have learned the previous week.
2. Book Reports – Read 2 books and write a report on them.
3. Memory Verses – They will be required to memorise a memory verse each week.
4. One-on-one time – They will have a one on one time with a member of the staff at least once a week.
5. Work Duties – There will be some work duties to assist in the running of the base.
Field assignment/Outreach
(UofN Course code IDS704) See Outreach/Field assignment under “DTS Field Assignment”
Child CareTop ↑
University CreditsTop ↑
The YWAM University of the Nations (U of N) in Kona, Hawaii, will give credits towards a University of the Nations Degree to each student who successfully completes the CDTS Lectures (UofN course code IDS 703) and the Field Assignment (UofN course code IDS 704). Twelve credits will be given for the DTS lectures and one for each complete week of the separate Field Assignment.
After successful completion of the CDTS/DTS for families and outreach you are able to apply for many other courses in Youth With A Mission, most of which carry credits towards a University of the Nations degree. Many of our students stay on for the Family Ministries School starting in January each year. You may want to consider this when buying tickets and looking at Visa’s etc.
The U of N offers over 1,100 courses worldwide in more than 200 fields of interest. They are available in over 100 nations and nearly 50 languages. A student may take successive courses in different nations while working towards an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
A few of these courses are:
- School of Worship, Intercession & Spiritual Warfare
- School of Primary Health Care
- Counseling schools
- Basic Leadership School
- School of Biblical Studies
- Birth Attendant School
- and many many many more
You can also apply for staff positions anywhere in the world with Youth With A Mission. See the YWAM International Web Site to see all the schools or (see the University of the Nations Catalogue or YWAM “GO” Manual for more detailed info).