Itinerary
SUNDAY, November 5
DEPARTURE DAY FROM THE USA
MONDAY, November 6
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISRAEL
Current suggested flight information indicates an afternoon arrival in Israel. After airport customs, you will connect with your group leader and board the tour bus to journey to our overnight accommodations located in Netanya. See the Arrival and Departure Information link for more information regarding arrival in Israel.
TUESDAY, November 7
WAY OF THE SEA
Today we address the social, religious, and political tensions which lie behind the relationship between the people of Israel and the foreigners in the land. At Caesarea on the Mediterranean Sea, we give thought to the conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion; at Mount Carmel we consider Elijah’s confrontation with the Phoenician prophets of Baal. Finally, we visit Megiddo to see the monumental fortifications by King Solomon, underscoring its importance in controlling the international coastal route from Egypt to Damascus.
WEDNESDAY, November 8
GALILEE OF THE GENTILES
We begin our day on Mount Arbel with its magnificent overlook above the Sea of Galilee. It helps to set the stage for our travels tomorrow. Continuing into Lower Galilee we visit 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 visit the childhood home of Jesus -- Nazareth. We conclude our day at Beth Shean which served as the eastern gateway to the Jezreel Valley on the southern border of Galilee.
THURSDAY, November 9
"WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT I AM?"In today’s journeys we explore sites important both in the Old and New Testament. At Hazor and Dan we gain a fresh understanding of the vital need to capture, fortify and hold these 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 penetrated 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.
FRIDAY, November 10
SEA OF GALILEE: “THE EVANGELICAL TRIANGLE"
A full morning study includes sites and themes central to the ministry of Jesus. At Bethsaida, 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. We conclude our day with a relaxing boat cruise on the Sea of Galilee.
Itinerary
SATURDAY, November 11
DEAD SEA: “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. Our journey to Jerusalem has us driving through the Wilderness of Judea.
SUNDAY, November 12
JERUSALEM: “TEMPLE MOUNT AND OLD CITY OVERVIEW”
Today begins with a visit to the Temple Mount, a site of historical significance and political dispute. Then we walk through the four quarters of the Old City providing a brief historical and geographical overview. We will be introduced to recommended areas for shopping. The afternoon will be free to rest, shop, or visit places of personal interest.
MONDAY, November 13
JERUSALEM: “CITY OF THE GREAT KING”
Our focus today is the physical setting of Jerusalem from the time of King David to Jesus. We examine the historical rule of Herod the Great (ending in 4BC), his successors and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. Key archaeological sites to be visited in the Jewish Quarter include: (1) the Southern Excavations, (2) the Herodian Villas, (3) the Burnt House, and (4) the Gennath Gate. After lunch we will visit the City of David of OT times. Here we will have an opportunity to see remnants of Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians (586 BC). We conclude the day with a visit to the Pool of Siloam (John 9).
TUESDAY, November 14
BETHLEHEM AND JERUSALEM
We begin our day at the Herodium, which is East of Bethlehem, the place of Herod's burial. Next we will visit the city of Bethlehem and the Church of Nativity. In connection with these themes we begin our touring on the crest of the Mount of Olives with an overlook to the Golden Gate. Particular attention is given to the historical background regarding the opposition to Jesus and the events which led to his crucifixion. 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, November 15
FREE DAY WITH PM DEPARTURE
This is a free day for you to explore the area. You will leave for the airport sometime during the day so it is important that your bags are packed by breakfast.
THURSDAY, November 16
ARRIVAL DAY TO USA
