Teacher & Tour Hosts
The day has arrived, and we depart the United States on an overnight journey to Israel, beginning our journey following the way of Jesus.
Today we arrive in Israel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Upon arrival we transfer to our hotel. Overnight Tel Aviv area. D.
This morning, we travel north to Nazareth, where we visit Nazareth Village, a reconstructed first century village that provides insight into daily life during the time of Jesus. We continue to the shores of the Sea of Galilee, to Karei Deshe. We ascend Mount Arbel for panoramic views overlooking the Sea of Galilee, offering a geographic overview of the region where many Gospel events took place. Overnight in the Sea of Galilee area. B, D.
Today we visit Capernaum, Jesus base during much of His early ministry along the Sea of Galilee. Here we explore the remains of the ancient synagogue and the house traditionally identified as the house where Jesus healed Peter’s mother in law. We continue to Tabgha to visit the Church of the Multiplication, commemorating the feeding of the five thousand. In Ginosar, we visit the Jesus Boat Museum, which houses a first century fishing boat discovered along the Sea of Galilee. We then board a boat for a memorable ride across the Sea of Galilee, gaining perspective from the water where Jesus taught, calmed the storm, and walked with His disciples. We continue to Kursi and Hippos, sites associated with Jesus ministry in the Decapolis region, before concluding the day at the Jordan River at Yardenit. Overnight in the Sea of Galilee area. B, D.
We begin our day at the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). We then travel to Chorazin, one of the Galilean towns where Jesus taught and performed miracles. We continue to Bethsaida, the hometown of several of the disciples and a place where Jesus healed the blind man. We walk a portion of the Jesus Trail, following ancient paths along the Sea of Galilee that reflect how Jesus and His disciples traveled between villages. We end the day at Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene, where excavations have revealed a first century synagogue from the time of Jesus. Overnight in the Sea of Galilee area. B, D.
We begin the day at Mensa Christi in Tabgha, traditionally associated with the appearance of the risen Jesus to His disciples along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Traveling south, we visit Beit Shean, one of the best preserved Roman cities in Israel, illustrating the Greco-Roman world that existed during the time of the New Testament. We continue through the Judean Wilderness, stopping at Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We then visit the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth. We ascend the Mount of Olives and visit the Paternoster Church. Overnight in Jerusalem. B, D.Â
We begin our day on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem. From here we walk the Palm Sunday route, following the path Jesus took as He entered Jerusalem during the final week of His life. We stop at Dominus Flevit, Latin for The Lord Wept, commemorating the place where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We continue to the City of David, the ancient core of Jerusalem. We walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, an engineering achievement from the time of King Hezekiah, and emerge at the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the man born blind. We then walk along the ancient Pilgrimage Road (if open), the route worshipers used to ascend to the Temple Mount during the time of Jesus. Overnight in Jerusalem. B, D.
Today we ascend the Temple Mount. We view the Western Wall, the western retaining wall of the Second Temple complex. We explore the Rabbinical Tunnel, which reveals massive stones dating to the time of Herod the Great. We visit the Southern Steps, where worshipers entered the Temple during the time of Jesus, and the Davidson Center, which provides archaeological insight into the Temple period. We continue to the Cardo, the main street of Roman era Jerusalem, and spend time in the Jewish Quarter before visiting the Temple Institute. Overnight in Jerusalem. B, D.
This morning, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed on the night before His crucifixion, and the nearby Church of All Nations. We continue to St Peter’s in Gallicantu, recalling the events surrounding Peter’s denial of Jesus. We then visit the place traditionally associated with Jesus trial before Pilate and walk the Via Dolorosa, retracing the path Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion. We arrive at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, marking the traditional sites of Jesus crucifixion and burial. We also visit Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. We conclude the day on Mount Zion with a visit to the Upper Room, traditionally associated with the Last Supper. Overnight in Jerusalem. B, D.
Today we visit the Israel Museum, including the large scale model of Jerusalem as it appeared during the time of Jesus. We travel along the Emmaus Road, recalling the post resurrection appearance of Jesus to two disciples. We visit a vineyard and reflect on Jesus teaching about abiding in the vine. We continue to Caesarea, a major Roman port city where Peter proclaimed the Gospel to Cornelius and where Paul was imprisoned before being sent to Rome. This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner. B, D.
Today we arrive back home with a deeper understanding of the land, history, and events recorded in Scripture.