Preserving Bible Times Study Tour February 20 – March 3, 2012 in Israel (#120201)

Day One: Monday, February 20 – Departure from US

Depart east coast gateway; arrive next day. Overnight: In flight.

 

Day Two: Tuesday, February 21 – Arrival Day

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Transfer to our hotel near the beach in Tel Aviv. We will have a brief orientation, and look forward to a good night’s sleep. Overnight: Tel Aviv.

 

Day Three: Wednesday, February 22 – Four Conflicts of Jesus’ Ministry

Highlighting four example sites, this study focuses on four key conflicts in the background of Jesus’ public ministry. (Sites: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth). Overnight: Sea of Galilee.

 

Day Four: Thursday, February 23 – Characteristics of the Disciples

Using the four gospel accounts, we will investigate the hints on the background, education and theology of the Disciples. (Sites: Capernaum, Boat on Sea, Mt. Beatitudes, Chorazin, Mt. Arbel). Overnight: Sea of Galilee.

 

Day Five: Friday, February 24 – Private Teaching to the Disciples – Mashalim and Remezim

Based on the five major sermons in the Gospel according to Matthew, our focus will be on the common teaching style of the ancient rabbis. Sites: Tel Dan, Banias (Caesarea Philippi), Road to Damascus view at Quneitra, view toward Gamla, Kursi and Ofir Lookout. Overnight: Sea of Galilee.

 

Day Six: Saturday, February 25 – The Perean Ministry

Luke’s “Special Section” (10-19) includes a longer narrative of Jesus’ walk through Perea, and some of the toughest teachings of the Savior. Today we will look closely at these. We will arrive in time to use the spa at our Dead Sea Hotel! (Sites include: Beth Shean excavations, Qumran, Dead Sea Spa). Overnight: Dead Sea area.

 

Day Seven: Sunday, February 26 – The Wilderness Places

From the desert storm of Habakkuk, to the salt covenant of David, various Biblical wilderness themes will be highlighted, with a special view toward the Patriarchal narratives and their impact on Jesus. (Sites include: Masada, view of Ein Gedi, NT Jericho, View of Jerusalem from atop Olivet). Overnight: Jerusalem.

 

Day Eight: Monday, February 27 – Setting of the Birth of Jesus; and Psalm 125:2 We will investigate what the Biblical accounts tell us of Jesus’ birth, based on both the Matthew and Luke accounts. (Sites include: Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field, Herodion, View of the city from Haas Promenade). Overnight Jerusalem.

 

Day Nine: Tuesday, February 28 – Temple Troubles and Messianic Expectations

Visits to Gethsemane, Mt. Zion (House of Caiaphas and Last Supper Room); the Western Wall and the South west excavations, where we will examine the description of the Hallel Psalms by the Biblical Pilgrims to Jerusalem. Overnight: Jerusalem.

 

Day Ten: Wednesday, February 29 – Journey to Calvary

The issues involved in the arrest, trial and conviction of Jesus will be our subject as we journey through the “salvation geography” of Jerusalem in the Gospel According to John. (Sites: Temple Mount, Pool of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb). Overnight: Jerusalem.

 

Day Eleven: Thursday, March 1 – Hebrew Backgrounds and the Shephelah:

Sorek Valley (Sampson), Azekah & Elah Valley (David & Goliath), Bet Guvrin (Bell caves), Lachish (Assyrian & Babylonian invasions). Overnight: Jerusalem.

 

Day Twelve: Friday, March 2 – Israel a Living People

This morning we will be invited by our Jewish guide to see the “not to be missed” Yad Vashem Memorial for the Holocaust, followed by an opportunity to see some of the world class exhibitions at the newly renovated Israel Museum. The afternoon is free for last minute shopping, packing and/or a rest before our final dinner and then departure for the airport for our late-night flights.

 

Day Thirteen: Saturday, March 3 – Going Home!

Arrive back in the USA.