A DTS for Families (Family Focus DTS) has as its primary focus “To Know God and To Make Him Known” and “To Glorify God by bringing the gospel to the unreached families of the world and restoring families to their biblical destiny”.

The basic DTS curriculum as defined by the DTS Centre is foundational to this course from a family perspective (see below for more information). Additional teaching on family, marriage and parenting can be included.

What better place to start than in the family unit. A strong family is able to both share together what the Lord is doing in their own lives and to share with others. Our definition of “Family” includes singles as an integral part of family. A DTS for Families needs to see the importance of teaching the whole family about the character of God and of His personal love for each one of them.

We want to bring the whole family unit together, either nuclear or single parent, as well as, singles so that there are no dividing walls, but where Trust, Love, Respect, Understanding, and Forgiveness flow as a lifestyle. These foundations come out of a true understanding of God’s character, and His covenant love for us.  When this is happening, the family is better equipped to go out and share the good news.

Throughout the Bible, God sees the family unit as the building block of society. Yes, the adults do have their normal DTS lectures, but the whole school is enriched as the DTS concepts are expanded to the whole family. In the DTS at least one weekly worship & intercession time will be as family units. A weekly Family Teaching Time based on the week's teaching will also be taught, so that families can share what God is doing in them as individuals and what this means for their own family. Children’s ministry will be coordinated to the adult lecture weekly, so that the family can share together what they are learning. This integration as a family will strengthen the family as they learn together.

Small groups are to be led by couples. Husbands and wives will not be split into different small groups; instead they are included in the same small group.  Singles are not in separate groups.

Work duties will try to be set up for the family to work together when possible. If not possible, then several times during the lecture phase families will do a work duty together.

The Outreach Phase is an opportunity for the families and students to catch a vision for the lost and needy; to walk out what they have learned in the lecture phase; to be used in ministering to people/families as adults and family; and to practice ministering together as a family unit and team.

The uniqueness of the DTS for Families is “it wants to see the whole family come to a deeper understanding of God and His plan for them as a family, as well as, individually.”
A DTS for the families is different than a regular CDTS as the whole school is geared around the family unit and their being a family during the school to prepare them to minister together.

For additional information or questions contact merle.jacobs@uofn.edu, UofN Family Resource Centre.

What are the goals of a YWAM DTS?

1. To GATHER and CHALLENGE people to worship, listen to and obey God, releasing them (in the context of the DTS) to serve through evangelism, intercession, acts of compassion and other expressions of God's heart for the world, possibly even pioneering new ministries.
2. To INSPIRE and CULTIVATE growth in one's relationship with God resulting in Christ like character, which is based on a solid Biblical foundation, the work of the Holy Spirit and the personal application of Biblical truth, especially concerning God's Character, the Cross and empowering Grace.
3. To SHARPEN one's ability to relate to, learn from and work with people, including those of different cultures, personalities and perspectives.
4. To further EQUIP each one to serve God's purposes either in or outside of YWAM Family of Ministries, strengthening a commitment to reach the lost, especially the unreached, to care for the poor, and to influence all areas of society.
5. To IMPART the vision and foundational values of Youth With A Mission International as well as that of the host operating location and to provide information regarding a variety of opportunities for service.

You will get teaching about various topics including

• God's Nature and Character
• God's Intention for Individuals, Peoples and Creation
• God's Redemption: Sin and The Cross
• God's Family: His Children & His Church
• God's World: His Call & His Commission Doing the Works of Jesus

For more information regarding a YWAM DTS, visit the website of the International DTS Centre.

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