ISRAEL 2005

“The Life and Land of Jesus”
A Study in New Testament Backgrounds
May 16-29, 2005

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION APPLIES TO ALL GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL
PARTICIPANTS. YOUR DAILY ACTIVITIES MAY VARY SLIGHTLY FROM
THAT PRESENTED BELOW BUT THE OVERALL ITINERARY
REMAINS THE SAME FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS.

ITINERARY

Monday, May 16
DEPARTURE DAY FROM THE USA : Some flights may be pending at this time. See Flights for additional information. Updates will be posted as soon as confirmed information is available.

Tuesday, May 17
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISRAEL : After airport customs, we will transfer to our hotel located on the Mediterranean Sea. After the evening meal, we will have a meeting to get acquainted and to take care of administrative needs.

Wednesday, May 18
FIELD TRIP: “Kingdoms and Cultures in Conflict”
Today we address the social, religious and political tensions which lie behind the relationship between the Jewish people and the foreigners in the land. At Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea, we give thought to the conversion of Cornelius, the Roman centurion, and the challenges this posed for the Early Church. On Mount Carmel we consider Elijah’s confrontation with the Phoenician prophets of Baal.

Thursday, May 19
FIELD TRIP: “Who do people say that I am?”
Today we examine the various messianic expectations in the first century and how they penetrate into the language of Jesus and the Early Church. We begin the day traveling to the northern regions of Israel on the ancient Road to Damascus. On the lower slopes of Mount Hermon we consider the event of the Transfiguration from which Jesus set face for Jerusalem. We take time to enjoy the beauty in the region at Banyas (Caesarea Philippi) and Dan. In view of the Lebanese and Syrian borders, the dynamics of the modern political situation are briefly addressed. We will end the day visiting a new archaeological site having a small Roman Temple that is argued to have been built in honor of Caesar Augustus by Herod the Great or perhaps his son Philip.

Friday, May 20
FIELD TRIP: “Galilee of the Gentiles”
Today we explore the Gentile and non-Gentile character of Lower Galilee. At Sepphoris we visit the impressive excavations of this capital of the Galilee at the birth of Jesus where Jews and Gentiles lived together. There is much to see and discuss at Sephphoris in relationship to Jesus’ ministry. Our discussions continue in Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus.

Saturday, May 21
FIELD TRIP: “The Evangelical Triangle”
A full morning study includes sites and themes central to the ministry of Jesus. At Chorazin, the Mount of Beatitudes and Bethsaida we consider the second stage of Jesus’ ministry with attention given to his teachings within their contemporary context. In the afternoon we take time at Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, to consider his teachings and miracles in this lakeside town. We continue to Kibbutz Ginnosar where an ancient Sea of Galilee boat (dating to the 1st century AD) is preserved. We conclude our day with a relaxing boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee.

Sunday, May 22
FIELD TRIP: “Setting Our Faces Toward Jerusalem”
Today we travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Wilderness of Judea. After morning worship we visit the Jordan River where it exits the Sea of Galilee and begins it journey southward to the Dead Sea. Next is the Biblical city of Beth Shean, a Philistine stronghold during the days of Saul and David. There we examine the recent excavations of its Roman-Byzantine remains when it was known as Scythopolis, one of the Hellenistic cities of the Decapolis. A brief time of rest will be spent at a local Nature Reserve and the remainder of the afternoon will be spent in journey to Jerusalem, about three hours distant by bus.

Monday, May 23
JERUSALEM: “Jerusalem’s Past and Present”
Today begins with a visit to the Temple Mount, a site of historical significance and political dispute. Upon leaving the Temple Mount we will venture through the various Quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem as an orientation to local sites of historical interest and local free time activities. The remainder of the day is free time for you to enjoy the character of Jerusalem’s Old City.

Tuesday, May 24
JERUSALEM: “Old City Excavations”
Our focus today is to examine the historical rule of Herod the Great (ending in 4BC), his successors and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. We journey into the Old City visiting several key archaeological sites: (1) Herodian Villas, (2) Burnt House, (3) Gennath Gate and (4) the Southern Excavations. We conclude our study of Jerusalem with a visit to a model of first century AD Jerusalem.

Wednesday, May 25
JERUSALEM: “Behold the Man”
Particular attention is given to the historical background regarding the opposition to Jesus and the events which led to his crucifixion. In connection with these themes we begin our touring on the crest of the Mount of Olives with an overlook to the Golden Gate. We descend the mount to the church of Dominus Flavit and to the Garden of Gethsemane. On the Via Dolorosa we stop at St. Anne's church, the site of the ancient pools of Bethesda. We conclude at the Church of the Resurrection, the possible site of Jesus' death and resurrection.

Thursday, May 26
FIELD TRIP: “Children of the Wilderness”
Today we follow in the steps of individuals and communities who lived in the Judean wilderness. At Masada we consider the fate of the Zealot movement which ended on this rocky promontory. At the oasis of Ein Gedi we walk in to observe a “river in the desert” in the region where David hid from Saul. Khirbet Qumran provides the setting for our consideration of the Dead Sea Scrolls and their relationship to John the Baptist and early Christianity.

Friday, May 27
BETHLEHEM ENVIRONMENT: “Excursions”
Today we focus on the birth of Jesus, the death of Herod the Great and the Second Jewish Revolt against the Romans. We begin at the Herodian, an impressive hilltop fortress built by Herod as a memorial and as a place of retreat. Here we overlook the Wilderness of Judah were David tended his sheep and where he fled from King Saul. Bethlehem is on the horizon. There we will visit the Church of Nativity. We conclude the day with a visit to a portion of the ancient Emmaus Road, representative of Jesus’ encounter with two followers (Lk. 24). The remainder of the day is free.

Saturday, May 28
JERUSALEM: Free Day

Sunday, May 29
DEPARTURE DAY: “Shalom”
Depart Israel and return to your USA gateway city. Some flights may be pending at this time. See Flights for additional information. Updates will be posted as soon as confirmed information is available.

 

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