SUFFERN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

“The Life and Land of Jesus”
A Study in New Testament Backgrounds
March 9-19, 2006

ITINERARY

Thursday, March 9
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.

Friday, March 10
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISRAEL: DEPARTURE and ARRIVAL DAY FOR INTERNATIONAL GROUPS: After airport customs, we have a 2-3 hour bus journey to our hotel located within the geographical region known as the Biblical Negev. After the evening meal, a brief administrative meeting will be held.

Saturday, March 11
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. Arriving at Sepphoris, the capital of Roman Galilee at the time of Jesus' birth and a city where Jews and Gentiles lived together, we explore impressive excavations and Jesus' ministry in this area. Only three miles away, we conclude today's studies in the childhood home of Jesus -- Nazareth.

Sunday, March 12
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.

Monday, March 13
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.

Tuesday, March 14
FIELD TRIP: “Setting Our Faces Toward Jerusalem”
Today we travel to Jerusalem via the Jordan Valley, Jericho and the Wilderness of Judea. We begin with a visit to the Jordan River where it exits the Sea of Galilee and begins its meandering journey southward to the Dead Sea. Next is a scenic drive through the hills and valleys of Lower Galilee. Views of Mount Tabor, Nazareth and Nain capture our attention as we make our way to the Harod Valley. In this valley we visit Ein Harod, the locale of Gideon's encampment against the Midianites. A few minutes east brings us to Beth Alpha, the locale of an ancient Jewish synagogue with interesting mosaics expressing biblical motifs. A short drive takes us to 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. The afternoon will be spent in journey to Jerusalem. On the way, and daylight permitting, a brief stop at OT and NT Jericho is warranted. We conclude the day driving through the Wilderness of Judea en route to Jerusalem.

Wednesday, March 15
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.

Thursday, March 16
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.

Friday, March 17
DEAD SEA 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.

Saturday, March 18
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).

Sunday, March 19
DEPARTURE DAY: “Shalom”
Depart Israel and return to the USA and other International destinations. 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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