ITINERARY

Saturday, May 20
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.

Sunday, May 21
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.

Monday, May 22
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. At Megiddo we will give consideration to the local of the Battle of Armeggdon.

Tuesday, May 23
FIELD TRIP: “Who do people say that I am?”
Today we examine two themes. At the Old Testament sites of Hazor and at Dan we explore the vital need to capture, fortify and hold strategic military centers in the north. These cities were of vital importance to ancient Israel if it was to maintain its unity and security in its northern territories. After lunch we shift our thoughts to the various messianic expectations in the first century and how they penetrate into the language of Jesus and the Early Church. At Caesarea Philippi, on the lower slopes of Mount Hermon, we consider the event of the Transfiguration from which Jesus set face for Jerusalem. 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.

Wednesday, May 24
FIELD TRIP: “Galilee of the Gentiles”
Today we address the setting of Galilee during the Herodian and NT periods. Our focus will be upon the rule of Herod the Great, the rule of Herod Antipas (Herod's son), and the emergence of Jesus into a Hellenistic, Roman and Jewish environment in the Galilee. Arriving at Yodfat, we consider the writings and life of Josephus -- a first century Jewish general, a friend to the Romans, and Jewish historian. 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 five miles away, we continue today's studies in the childhood home of Jesus -- Nazareth. We conclude the day atop the cliffs of Arbel where ancient military battles conflict with the beauty of the Sea of Galilee.

Thursday, May 25
FIELD TRIP: “The Evangelical Triangle”
A full morning study includes sites and themes central to the ministry of Jesus. At Bethesaida, Chorazin and the Mount of Beatitudes 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.

Friday, May 26
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 En Harod, the locale of Gideon's encampment against the Midianites. A few minutes west 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. After a brief time at a local National Park, the late afternoon will be spent in journey to Jerusalem. We conclude the day driving through the Wilderness of Judea en route to Jerusalem.

Saturday, May 27
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.

Sunday, May 28
JERUSALEM: Free Day
Today is a Free Day for you to enjoy local worship opportunities and to visit Old and New City sites of your choice..

Monday, May 29
JERUSALEM: “Herodian 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.

Tuesday, May 30
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.

Wednesday, May 31
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.

Thursday, June 1
BETHLEHEM ENVIRONMENT: “Excursions”
Today we focus on the birth of Jesus and his message to two followers on the Road to Emmaus. In Bethlehem we will visit the Church of Nativity. We conclude the day with a visit to a portion of the ancient Road to Emmaus (Lk. 24). The remainder of the day will be Free Time.

Friday, June 2
DEPARTURE DAY: “Shalom”
Depart Israel and return to 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.

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