Discipleship Training School

Lecture phase / Outreach

The Lecture Phase of a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a transformational season designed to help students grow deeper in their relationship with God, discover their identity and calling, and learn what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

The Outreach Phase of a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) is an exciting time when students take what they have learned during the lecture phase and put it into action. It is a season of stepping out in faith, serving others, sharing the Gospel, and experiencing what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus in another culture.

Lecture Phase

Knowing God and Making Him Known

The Lecture Phase of a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) is a transformational season designed to help students grow deeper in their relationship with God, discover their identity and calling, and learn what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

Over several weeks, students live together in community and participate in teaching, worship, prayer, small groups, personal study, practical service, and times of reflection. Each week focuses on a different biblical and discipleship theme, creating an environment where students are encouraged not only to gain knowledge, but to encounter God and allow Him to transform their lives.

The heart of DTS is often described through the simple phrase:

“To Know God and Make Him Known.”

Students explore what it means to know God personally—His character, His Word, His ways, and His heart for people and the nations. They are challenged to surrender areas of their lives to God, grow in spiritual maturity, and develop a lifestyle of prayer, worship, obedience, and discipleship.

One of the unique aspects of DTS is that learning is not limited to the classroom. Students are encouraged to take what they are learning and put it into practice through community life, ministry opportunities, prayer, evangelism, and serving others.

The Lecture Phase can be challenging. Living closely with others exposes areas where students need to grow in patience, humility, forgiveness, communication, responsibility, and love. These challenges become opportunities for discipleship and spiritual growth.

The purpose is not simply to produce students who know more about God. It is to help develop people who know God personally and are willing to make Him known wherever He sends them.

Jesus said:

“Go and make disciples of all nations.” — Matthew 28:19

The Lecture Phase prepares students for the next step—the Outreach Phase, where they take what they have learned and put it into action among different communities, cultures, and nations.

In many ways, the Lecture Phase is the foundation of the DTS journey:

KNOW GOD → BE TRANSFORMED → DISCOVER YOUR CALLING → LIVE AS A DISCIPLE → MAKE HIM KNOWN

It is a season of learning, encountering, growing, surrendering, and preparing to step out in faith.

Throughout the Lecture Phase, students may explore topics such as:

  • Hearing God's voice

    Hearing God’s voice is learning to recognize how God communicates with us and learning to respond to Him in obedience. God speaks through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, prayer, circumstances, and sometimes through other people. The Bible remains the primary standard by which we test what we believe God is saying.

    John 10:27 — “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

    1 Samuel 3:9-10 — Samuel learns to listen when God calls.

    James 1:5 — Ask God for wisdom.

    John 16:13 — The Holy Spirit guides believers into truth.

    Psalm 119:105 — God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

  • The character and nature of God

    Knowing God means discovering who He is—not simply knowing information about Him. Students explore God's character, including His holiness, love, faithfulness, justice, mercy, goodness, power, and sovereignty.

    Understanding God's character helps us develop trust and confidence in Him.

    Exodus 34:6-7 — God reveals His character to Moses.

    1 John 4:8 — “God is love.”

    Psalm 145:8-9 — God is gracious, compassionate, and good.

    Isaiah 6:3 — God is holy.

    Malachi 3:6 — God does not change.

    Psalm 103:8 — God is compassionate and gracious.

  • The Bible and God's Word

    Knowing God means discovering who He is—not simply knowing information about Him. Students explore God's character, including His holiness, love, faithfulness, justice, mercy, goodness, power, and sovereignty.

    Understanding God's character helps us develop trust and confidence in Him.

    Exodus 34:6-7 — God reveals His character to Moses.

    1 John 4:8 — “God is love.”

    Psalm 145:8-9 — God is gracious, compassionate, and good.

    Isaiah 6:3 — God is holy.

    Malachi 3:6 — God does not change.

    Psalm 103:8 — God is compassionate and gracious.

  • The Holy Spirit

    The Holy Spirit is not simply a force or feeling—He is God, working within and through believers. Students learn about the Holy Spirit's role in transformation, guidance, conviction, empowerment, spiritual gifts, and mission.

    John 14:16-17 — Jesus promises the Holy Spirit.

    Acts 1:8 — The Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses.

    Galatians 5:22-23 — The fruit of the Spirit.

    John 16:13 — The Spirit guides believers into truth.

    1 Corinthians 12:4-11 — Spiritual gifts.

    Ephesians 5:18 — Be continually filled with the Spirit.

  • Prayer and intercession

    Prayer is communication and relationship with God. Intercession is standing before God on behalf of other people, communities, nations, and situations.

    Students learn that prayer is not simply asking God for things—it is also listening, worshipping, surrendering, thanking, confessing, and partnering with God's purposes.

    Matthew 6:9-13 — Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray.

    1 Thessalonians 5:17 — “Pray continually.”

    Philippians 4:6-7 — Bring everything to God in prayer.

    1 Timothy 2:1-4 — Pray for others and for those in authority.

    Ezekiel 22:30 — God looks for someone to stand in the gap.

    James 5:16 — The prayer of a righteous person is powerful.

  • Worship

    Worship is our response to who God is and what He has done. While singing is an important expression of worship, biblical worship involves our entire lives—our choices, obedience, relationships, work, time, and resources.

    Romans 12:1 — Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice.

    John 4:23-24 — Worship God in spirit and truth.

    Psalm 95:6 — Come and worship before the Lord.

    Colossians 3:16-17 — Let everything be done in the name of Jesus.

    Psalm 100:1-5 — Enter God's presence with thanksgiving and praise.

  • Identity and sonship

    Our identity is rooted in who God says we are, rather than in our past, achievements, failures, possessions, or what other people think about us.

    Through Christ, believers are adopted into God's family and can approach Him as His children.

    John 1:12 — Those who receive Christ become children of God.

    Romans 8:14-17 — We receive the Spirit of adoption.

    2 Corinthians 5:17 — Anyone in Christ is a new creation.

    Ephesians 1:3-5 — God adopts us through Christ.

    1 Peter 2:9 — Believers are God's chosen people.

    Galatians 4:6-7 — We are God's children and heirs.

  • The cross and repentance

    The cross is central to the Christian faith. Jesus gave Himself for our sins, demonstrating God's love and opening the way for reconciliation with God.

    Repentance means turning away from sin and turning toward God. It involves recognizing sin, confessing it, receiving God's forgiveness, and allowing Him to transform our lives.

    John 3:16 — God gave His Son because of His love.

    Romans 5:8 — Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

    1 John 1:9 — God forgives and cleanses those who confess.

    Mark 1:15 — Jesus calls people to repent and believe.

    Luke 9:23 — Follow Jesus by taking up your cross.

    2 Corinthians 5:21 — Christ takes our sin so that we may become righteous in Him.

  • Forgiveness and relationships

    Jesus calls His followers to live in healthy relationships characterized by love, humility, reconciliation, grace, and forgiveness.

    Forgiveness does not mean pretending that something never happened. It means releasing revenge and choosing to extend the grace we have received from God.

    Ephesians 4:31-32 — Be kind and forgive one another.

    Colossians 3:13 — Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

    Matthew 6:14-15 — Jesus teaches about forgiveness.

    Matthew 18:21-22 — Jesus teaches radical forgiveness.

    Romans 12:18 — Live at peace with others as far as it depends on you.

    Matthew 5:23-24 — Pursue reconciliation.

  • Spiritual warfare

    The Bible teaches that believers are involved in a spiritual battle. Spiritual warfare is not about becoming obsessed with darkness; it is about standing firmly in Christ, knowing God's truth, resisting temptation, praying, and putting on the armor of God.

    Ephesians 6:10-18 — The armor of God.

    2 Corinthians 10:3-5 — Spiritual weapons and taking thoughts captive.

    James 4:7 — Submit to God and resist the devil.

    1 Peter 5:8-9 — Be alert and stand firm in faith.

    1 John 4:4 — “The one who is in you is greater…”

  • Evangelism

    Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. It is both proclaiming the Gospel and demonstrating God's love through our lives.

    Students learn how to share their testimony, communicate the Gospel clearly, listen to people's stories, and step out of their comfort zones.

    Romans 1:16 — The Gospel is the power of God for salvation.

    Romans 10:14-15 — People need someone to tell them the good news.

    Mark 16:15 — “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.”

    1 Peter 3:15 — Be ready to give an answer for your hope.

    Acts 1:8 — We are empowered to be witnesses.

  • Discipleship

    Discipleship is more than becoming a Christian—it is learning to follow Jesus and helping others follow Him. A disciple learns from Jesus, becomes more like Him, obeys His teaching, and helps others become disciples.

    Matthew 28:19-20 — Jesus commands His followers to make disciples.

    Luke 9:23 — Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus.

    John 8:31-32 — Continue in Jesus' teaching.

    2 Timothy 2:2 — Pass what you have learned on to others.

    John 13:34-35 — Disciples are recognized by their love.

  • The Great Commission

    The Great Commission is Jesus' command to His followers to go and make disciples of all nations. Mission is not simply for a select group of Christians—it is part of the calling of every follower of Jesus.

    Matthew 28:18-20 — Go and make disciples of all nations.

    Mark 16:15 — Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.

    Luke 24:46-49 — Repentance and forgiveness are to be proclaimed to all nations.

    Acts 1:8 — Be witnesses to the ends of the earth.

    Matthew 9:37-38 — Pray for workers for the harvest.

  • Missions and God's heart for the nations

    Mission begins with God's heart. Throughout Scripture, we see God's desire to bless, redeem, and bring people from every nation, tribe, people, and language into relationship with Him.

    Students explore different cultures and learn to serve people with humility, respect, and love.

    Genesis 12:1-3 — Through Abraham, all nations will be blessed.

    Psalm 67:1-4 — May God's salvation be known among all nations.

    Matthew 24:14 — The Gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world.

    Revelation 7:9-10 — People from every nation worship before God.

    Isaiah 49:6 — God's salvation reaches the ends of the earth.

    Habakkuk 2:14 — The earth will be filled with the knowledge of God's glory.

  • Leadership and servant-heartedness

    Biblical leadership is fundamentally different from leadership based on power, status, or control. Jesus demonstrated leadership through humility, sacrifice, service, and love.

    A biblical leader does not simply ask, “How can people serve me?” but asks, “How can I serve others?”

    Mark 10:42-45 — Jesus teaches that greatness comes through serving.

    John 13:1-17 — Jesus washes His disciples' feet.

    Philippians 2:3-8 — Jesus demonstrates humility and selflessness.

    1 Peter 5:2-3 — Leaders are called to serve rather than dominate.

    Matthew 20:26-28 — The greatest must become a servant.

    1 Timothy 3:1-13 — Character and maturity are essential for leadership.

Outreach Phase

Taking the Gospel to the Nations(2 months)

The Outreach Phase of a YWAM Discipleship Training School (DTS) is an exciting time when students take what they have learned during the lecture phase and put it into action. It is a season of stepping out in faith, serving others, sharing the Gospel, and experiencing what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus in another culture.

During outreach, students leave the familiar environment of the DTS community and go into the mission field. They may travel to another country, city, island, or community and partner with local churches, ministries, missionaries, and YWAM teams.

The outreach is not simply about travelling—it is about joining God in what He is already doing.

Students may be involved in a variety of ministry opportunities, including evangelism, discipleship, prayer ministry, children's ministry, youth outreach, community service, worship, practical work, church ministry, and humanitarian projects. Every opportunity becomes a chance to demonstrate the love of Christ through both words and actions.

The Outreach Phase also challenges students to grow personally and spiritually. They learn to work together as a team, communicate across cultures, handle challenges, serve with humility, and depend on God rather than their own strength.

A key part of the experience is learning to listen to God and respond in obedience. Students are encouraged to pray, seek God's direction, and be willing to step outside their comfort zones.

The goal is not simply to complete an outreach trip. The goal is to develop lifelong disciples who make disciples.

As Jesus said:

“Go and make disciples of all nations.” — Matthew 28:19

The Outreach Phase gives DTS students an opportunity to live out this command—to go, serve, love, share, disciple, and multiply.

Ultimately, outreach becomes a bridge between learning and living. What students have received during the lecture phase is now passed on to others, creating a picture of multiplication: encounter → transformation → obedience → mission → discipleship → multiplication.

The Outreach Phase is a chance to say:

“Here I am, Lord. Send me.” — Isaiah 6:8

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