DTS Structure and Curriculum
Summary
Section titled “Summary”DTS at YWAM Sendai is structured to combine biblical teaching, spiritual formation, community life, and practical mission experience. The school includes both a lecture phase and an outreach phase, with learning taking place through teaching, worship, prayer, mentoring, service, and team life.
This page explains the general structure and curriculum of DTS at YWAM Sendai. Specific topics, schedules, and outreach locations may vary by school and intake, but the core DTS framework remains the same.
What are the main phases of DTS?
Section titled “What are the main phases of DTS?”DTS is divided into two main phases:
- lecture phase
- outreach phase
These two phases are designed to work together. The lecture phase focuses on foundations, formation, and preparation. The outreach phase gives students the opportunity to live out what they have been learning in practical ministry settings.
What happens during the lecture phase?
Section titled “What happens during the lecture phase?”The lecture phase focuses on biblical teaching, discipleship, worship, prayer, community life, and personal growth.
Students should expect learning through:
- classroom teaching
- small-group processing
- personal reflection
- worship and intercession
- one-on-one mentoring
- practical service and shared responsibilities
The lecture phase is not only academic. It is designed to shape the whole person.
What topics are usually covered in DTS?
Section titled “What topics are usually covered in DTS?”DTS teaching is intended to provide a strong biblical and discipleship foundation. Core content areas include:
- the Bible
- the character and nature of God
- the Trinity
- creation and human identity
- sin, brokenness, and the need for redemption
- the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
- identity in Christ
- hearing God’s voice
- the work of the Holy Spirit
- obedience, surrender, and discipleship
- mission, evangelism, and the Kingdom of God
The exact order and emphasis may vary by school and speaker.
How does bilingual learning work at YWAM Sendai?
Section titled “How does bilingual learning work at YWAM Sendai?”YWAM Sendai operates in a bilingual environment. This means the learning rhythm is shaped to support meaningful engagement for both English-speaking and Japanese-speaking participants.
In a bilingual DTS:
- the weekly learning schedule is adjusted to support bilingual participation
- students are expected to engage seriously with teaching and communication across the language environment
- the school includes a minimum of 50 total learning hours per week
- the school includes a minimum of 16 hours of direct content engagement in a bilingual setting
These expectations reflect the additional time and attention needed for strong participation in a bilingual school environment.
What kinds of rhythms are part of DTS?
Section titled “What kinds of rhythms are part of DTS?”DTS includes regular rhythms that support both inward growth and outward mission.
These include:
- worship
- intercession
- one-on-one mentoring
- practical work duties
- community gatherings
- outreach preparation
- team-based ministry rhythms
Students participate in a minimum of 3 hours per week of corporate intercession, along with regular worship, mentoring, and practical service.
What kinds of skills and habits are developed during DTS?
Section titled “What kinds of skills and habits are developed during DTS?”Throughout DTS, students are encouraged to grow in areas such as:
- spiritual disciplines
- biblical reflection
- prayer and worship
- teamwork
- hospitality
- cross-cultural communication
- stewardship of time, health, and finances
- practical service
- relational maturity
DTS is designed not only to communicate information, but also to form habits, character, and readiness for mission.
What is the outreach phase like?
Section titled “What is the outreach phase like?”Following the lecture phase, students move into an outreach phase in which they put learning into practice through team-based ministry.
The outreach phase normally lasts 8 to 12 weeks.
Depending on the school, outreach may include:
- evangelism
- discipleship
- mercy ministry
- church partnership
- practical service
- cross-cultural ministry
Students should expect outreach to include:
- outward-focused ministry
- team life and shared responsibility
- prayer and debriefing
- flexibility and adaptability
- practical dependence on God in real ministry settings
During outreach, students participate in a minimum of:
- 30 hours per week of outward-focused ministry
- 15 hours per week of team building, debriefing, and prayer
Does this page explain student rules and completion standards?
Section titled “Does this page explain student rules and completion standards?”No. This page explains the structure and learning rhythm of DTS.
For student expectations, conduct, and successful completion requirements, see: