School of Biblical Studies

A SECOND LEVEL SCHOOL AT YWAM MONTANA

Course Description.

The School of Biblical Studies (SBS) is a 9-month course which allows you to study all 66 books of the Bible. You will learn the inductive approach to study and will be given hands-on instruction in the principles of observation, interpretation and application. SBS is not simply a school of head knowledge but also of practical application.

SBS burns with a passion for God’s Word and the belief that all people should be equipped to study the Bible. Grow in a close knit community of students, discover a method for lifelong Bible study and be transformed by the Word of God!

It’s what we do as a movement — we train in order to advance. Because we believe we are called to GO! Join us for the next School of Biblical Studies at YWAM Montana-Lakeside.

Phase one.

This phase begins with a three-week seminar in which students learn the basics of the inductive method, which will be the method of Bible study that will be used throughout the school. We begin in the New Testament, studying three of the four Gospels, Acts, the Pauline Epistles, Hebrews, James, and 1 Peter.

Phase Two.

In the second phase, students complete the New Testament books. There is then a week-long seminar introducing Old Testament background, genres, and artistry of the literature. Students study through Genesis through Samuels and some of the Wisdom books.

Phase Three.

The third phase completes the study of the Old Testament, including the Prophets. A seminar precedes the Prophets, giving students the skills necessary to understand the message of these books. After completion of the Old Testament, we end our study in the Gospel of Matthew, seeing the whole of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

Meet Your School Staff.

Ryan Horwath
Denver, Colorado

SBS Director
Hi. My name is Ryan Clifton Horwath, thank you very much. I was born in Chicago but got to Colorado as soon as I could. I did my DTS in New Zealand (Lord of the Rings fan, rejoice!), and felt called to follow up with an SBS, but needed to finish my undergrad. After a long process of figuring out how to graduate college, and finishing with a degree in music, I came to Montana to do an SBS. I loved it so much, I staffed it for several years, went off to seminary to get trained up more, and then returned back. I came back because I believe in the SBS program and how it teaches people the content of the Bible. I want to see them take that content out, whether it’s back home or across the world.
Danielle Peters

Session Leader
I was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. At the age of five, my family moved to Jamaica as missionaries. Missionary kid, Represent! When I was 11, we moved back to the states to Montana to continue with YWAM. I graduated valedictorian of my senior class in high school but decided that college wasn’t for me. So I traveled to Oxford, New Zealand, and did the Around the World in 80 Days DTS in 2015. I went to North Island NZ, Thailand, Japan, and China for outreach. I graduated DTS on the Mount of Olives in Israel. Yes, the Promised Land! Three short weeks in-between, and I was starting SBS in Montana for the 15/16 school. While in SBS, God called me to staff; and here I am five years later.
Isaac Thill
Wisconsin

Session Leader
Wassup y’all, I’m from Wisconsin, and I love cheese! I was going to be a doctor when I first went to university but God called me out of it and eventually into YWAM. I did my first DTS in Kona, Hawaii as part of Fire and Fragrance, and then did my second DTS in Huntington Beach, California - I passed both schools haha! Wanted to do an SBS for a while and finally did one, and felt called to stay!
Gabriel Aslaksen
Kristiansand, Norway

SBS Staff
Hey! My name is Gabriel. I did my SBS in 2021/2022. I love seeing people transformed by the Lord as they discover the Truth that is revealed in Scripture. I believe that the Bible is the written Word of God and that God has revealed himself in the Scriptures. Therefore whoever desires to know God, must seek to know the God of the Bible. To see people discover this Truth for themselves is my passion. And that is why is love SBS, because we help people do just that. Aside from Scripture, I am passionate about sports (football, F1 and cross country skiing) and movies rated higher than 7.0 on IMDb.
Seth Alesna
Vallejo, California

SBS Staff
Hey! I'm Seth. Born and raised in California. :) I was originally going into the medical field before God called me to YWAM. I did my DTS in Redding, California (as well as a few more schools) and staffed at that base from 2017-2020! Did my SBS in 2020 alongside my then-girlfriend-now-wife Faith! Felt called to stay, serve, and play a part in training up missionaries in the Word. I'm passionate about the Bible, worship, and classic nerd hobbies like boardgames and rpg's. :) Hope to see you around!
Isabel Thill
Wisconsin

SBS Staff
Hi friends! I did my DTS in Kona, Hawaii! I’ve staffed SBS in both Kona and Montana. Current things that I love: spending time with friends, interior design, throwing parties, going on walks, & hiking :) My husband Isaac, and I are passionate about seeing this generation discipled through the Bible! The Bible transformed our lives and we believe it can do the same for you!
Bre Klassen
Alberta Canada

SBS Staff
Hi there! I’m Bre from the Great White North. I love baking, sports & frozen yogurt. Through SBS, my heart has been awakened by the need of knowing the Bible & the creator behind it. I have experienced radical transformation that God's word gives when we begin to understand a glimpse of God's character & our story. And I desire others to experience the same in beautiful MT!
Paul Dunleavy
New Jersey

SBS Staff
I’ve been a student with YWAM Montana for the past three years. Things didn’t start out that way though. I was in college for Music Education and was very much living in the world. During my junior year Jesus got a hold of me (long story short) and I dropped out to come to Montana, did my DTS in the Fall of 2018, TESOL, SBS, Titus, all four Biblical Seminars (get rekt Connor, love you) and now I’m staffing SBS! Super excited to live and breathe the Word with you all!
Laura Brantley
I was born in Germany, but raised in the great state of Colorado! I come from a family of six where I have two older brothers and a younger sister. I actually came to my brother’s SBS graduation, looked around, and didn’t think I could ever see myself being a part of YWAM. A year later, I started my journey as a YWAM junkie by doing my DTS here at YWAM Montana where God gave me a hunger to know the Word which led me to do SBS and three other programs!
Hannu Vahakangas
Rindge, New Hampshire

SBS Staff
Hey everyone, my name is Hannu, and for those that are curious, my name is Finnish as my Dad is from Finland, but i was born in the states. I am married to my beautiful wife Jen and we have 4 amazing little boys. I have filled many different roles from staffing DTS here in Montana and with YWAM Thailand, leading outreaches, to working in the Facilities Dept. here in Montana. Currently the Lord has lead me to be apart of the SBS program. As teaching the Bible and Discipleship are huge passions the Lord has laid on my heart and to have people truly know who our Lord Jesus is.
Faith Alesna
Reading, Pennsylvania

SBS Staff
Hi Friends! My name is Faith and I grew up in Pennsylvania but I was born in China and was adopted by a family in PA at 9 ½ months old. At a very young age, I was in love with the idea of missions and ministry. I remember when I was in elementary school at a christian summer camp and we took time to pray for tribes that didn’t have the Bible translated in their own language. I went on short term missions trips, but I always wanted more. I stumbled across the idea of YWAM and I was SOLD. I did my DTS in 2018 at Redding, CA, took a little break and jumped back into YWAM to do my SBS in Montana 2020-2021. I got married to Seth after our SBS and then we jumped right into the Titus Project 2021! Both of us have felt the called to come back and staff SBS and here we are!
Jenna Bain
Harrison Township, Michigan

SBS Staff
I met Jesus during my time in college while getting my teaching degree and knew I wanted to do life differently from then on. 2015 is when I jumped into full time ministry. Not long after, I did my DTS and joined YWAM full time in Kansas City. I started my SBS in Montana in 2021 and came back because I fell in love with so many things here! Ultimately, I love a holistic approach to things, and I long to see people connect with God and walk in their true identities unto seeing the transformation of individuals, communities, and even nations -- all through Jesus.

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Discover the heart of sbs.

As followers of Jesus, we believe in the importance of knowing and understanding the Word of God on a deeper level, and that every individual should have the opportunity to learn how to study, discover, and apply the truths of God’s Word to their own lives.

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YWAM Montana Lakeside