Bible school in Amsterdam!

Hey everyone!! I hope you’re doing well and staying close to Jesus wherever you are!

I’ve officially been in Amsterdam for 7 weeks now, and we've finished reading the Old Testament!! I’m doing a Discipleship Bible School with YWAM, living in community with 20 amazing girls from all over the world. In total, we’re a group of 30 students and 15 staff from 18 different nations, and it’s been so amazing to see how God brings together people from everywhere!

A Glimpse Into My Day

Here’s what most of my days look like:

7-9 AM – Getting ready + quiet time with Jesus

9-10 AM – Worship or intercession as a base or class

10 AM-1 PM – Class time with amazing teachers

1-2 PM – Lunch & homework

2-3 PM – Work duty (I wash dishes!)

3-6 PM – Discovery Group (we read the Bible out loud + discuss)

6-7 PM – Dinner and fellowship

7-10:30 PM – Homework (we have 8 assignments a week, it’s a lot, but so worth it!)

We’ve also had fun and meaningful moments like a love feast with the whole base, a King’s Banquet (for Kings week), prayer walks around the city, evangelism, a worship night called Pursuit, as an outreach for people in the Netherlands, and I even got to lead a prayer set for Afghanistan!! We don’t get a ton of time to explore the city (DBS is super full-on), but we do what we can! I also spend a lot lot lot of time with Jesus, we have a really amazing prayer room that overlooks the city, and it's been so special to worship, pray and dwell with God in that place!!

What We’re Learning in Class

We’re reading through the entire Bible- Genesis to Revelation- out loud, in groups! Each week, a new speaker comes in to teach, and they’ve been so wise, full of insight, and super encouraging! I’ve been learning so much about the Bible, the history, the people in it, God’s character, His redemptive plan, and the bigger story He’s writing.

But the real heart of DBS isn’t just reading or studying the Bible, it’s meeting Jesus in the Word, being transformed by Him, and falling more in love with God! It’s not about just doing the homework or ticking off assignments, it’s about knowing Him more.

Here’s some of what God’s been teaching me each week:

Week 1: Origins & Worldview (Genesis, Exodus, Job)

• God is SO intentional!! 

• God is so committed to seeing redemption!! ((He’s more committed than us))

• This 'stubborn' God just wants to dwell with His people!! (Genesis 17)- it’s ALL about relationship

• Abraham trusted God SO MUCH!! (And he didn’t even have the Holy Spirit in him) 

• Abraham worshipped in response to seeing God (every time, everywhere) vs the Israelites

• ALWAYS live in integrity- even in Job’s suffering, he was blameless

• Jesus is the Tabernacle!!! 

Week 2: The Pentateuch (Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

• God cares deeply about character and integrity, especially in leaders

• Pattern -> Obedience brings blessing 

• EVERYTHING IS BIRTHED OUT OF PRAYER 

• God stays faithful, even when we’re not

• Living a pure and holy life reflects our relationship with God!!

• LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES (and the generations and leaders before you!!)

• God has a big heart for justice and compassion

• Remember what God has done and stay faithful for what’s next!!

• Sin is serious, but thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice!

Week 3: Tribal & David (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel)

• Always ask God first!

• Teach the next generation to know God

• Even if leaders fail, God’s faithfulness never changes

• God values obedience over performance (1 Sam 15:22)

• Face your calling with courage!

• Repentance brings healing!

Week 4: Kings Week (1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles)

• God is the only true King worth following!

• Faithfulness isn’t always flashy; it’s found in daily obedience

• Revival starts with repentance

• Even in chaos, God is still moving

• God honours humility and responds to the cry of the heart

• We need righteous leaders who seek His presence above power

Week 5: Early Prophets (Amos, Hosea, Micah, Joel, Isaiah, Jonah, Nahum)

• God speaks through the broken to reach the broken

• He’s not just after outward obedience, He wants our hearts

• God’s love is both fierce and tender

• God uses unlikely people to deliver His word

• Repentance changes everything, for individuals and whole cities!

• God is always inviting people back to Himself

Week 6: Late Prophets (Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Obadiah, Lamentations, Daniel)

• God's heart breaks for His people when they turn away

• Even in judgment, His desire is always restoration

• Jeremiah stayed faithful even when no one listened, obedience > results

• God can handle our questions and our wrestling (Habakkuk)

• There is always hope, even in exile

Week 7: Post-exilic and intertestament week (Esther, Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, Malachi)

• Restoration takes time, but He’s faithful to complete it

• Malachi shows how God wants wholehearted worship, not just routine

• His promises never fail, and He always prepares the way for what’s next!!

• Ezra 1:1-5 - The Holy Spirit stirred the heart of Cyrus and the people -> God is moving and stirring hearts into action!

• History = HIS STORY -> “The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He guides it wherever He pleases.” Proverbs 21:1

Biggest Thing God’s Showing Me

The biggest thing God has been teaching me is the importance of relationships!! The Lord wants to dwell in and with His people; everything else is a gift or part of the short life on earth! He is SO SO faithful to His people and all we need to do is dwell with him, listen and obey, practice repentance and trust in Him with fear of the Lord!!

Why a Biblical Worldview Matters

One thing God is highlighting for me is how important it is to see the world through the lens of Scripture! Not just reading the Bible, but letting it shape how we think, speak, and live.

Less than 10% of Christians will read the Bible cover to cover in their lifetime. But how can we obey Jesus’ commands and make disciples if we don’t know His words? (Matthew 28:18-20)

I want to see the Church fall in love with the Bible again, because to love God means to know and obey His Word! (John 15:10, 1 John 5:3)

The Word of God is key to revival!!

• Joshua – Joshua 1:8“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”→ God connects success and obedience to consistently meditating on His Word!

• David – Psalm 1:2“But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”→ David’s love for Scripture was the foundation of his relationship with God. It rooted him in truth and delight.

• Josiah – 2 Kings 22:11“When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.”→ When the Book of the Law was rediscovered, it sparked repentance and reform across the whole nation.

• Ezra – Ezra 7:10“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”→ Ezra didn’t just study the Word; he lived it and taught it, leading the people into renewed faithfulness.

  
  

The Word of God is not just knowledge, it’s fuel for personal revival, national repentance, and global transformation!

Prayer Requests

I’d be so thankful if you’d join me in prayer!! I really value prayer, it's so powerful!!

• Deeper intimacy with Jesus (forever) – That I’d continue to always trust Him more, hear His voice clearly, and be fully content in Him alone!

• Strength & focus – Our schedule is super full, so I’m praying for energy, rest, and strength!

• Friendships & community – That God would keep growing strong, healthy relationships wherever I am!

Thank you for reading this and for being part of what God is doing in my life! I’m SO thankful for your prayers and support, and I can’t wait to share more soon!!

As I was praying, I felt to add Micah 6:8 (which was our memory verse a couple of weeks ago)

"The Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

As well as Psalms 27:4

"'The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.'"

I pray this encourages you.

Please reach out if you have any questions, comments, or prayer requests!!

With love,

Olivia <3