Following the Way of Jesus: Discipleship Tour with Church of the Open Door

The day has arrived, and we depart Cleveland (CLE) on an overnight journey to Israel, preparing for this exciting adventure of a lifetime – following the way of Jesus.

Today we arrive in Israel at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Upon arrival we will be met by our guide and driver, who will remain with us for the duration of our time in Israel. We drive to Jerusalem where we introduce our tour theme, “Following the Way of Jesus.” We visit the Western Wall, the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, and Judaism’s holiest site. We explore the Rabbinical Tunnel, before ascending the Temple Mount itself. This area was purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18-25). On it now stands the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. We continue to the Cardo, the ancient central street of Jerusalem for some shopping, before proceeding into the Jewish Quarter. 

Overnight in Jerusalem

This morning we visit the Southern Steps of the ancient temple. We visit the Davidson Center, which will provide insight on the history of the Temple area. Then it’s on to the Temple Institute, where we will be provided with a detailed look at the ancient Temple along with an explanation of the work being done in preparation for the building of the Third Temple. We make our way to Hezekiah’s Tunnel and to thePool of Siloam, where Jesus healed a blind man (John 9). We visit the Pilgrimage Road, a Roman-era road connecting Jerusalem’s southern gates to the Temple Mount. Leaving Jerusalem, we visit the Shepherds’ Field, where the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus. In Bethlehem, we visit the Church of the Nativity. B, D.

Overnight in Jerusalem

This morning we leave Jerusalem for the Judean Wilderness, where Jesus experienced the temptations described in Luke 4. We head north to Nazareth where we visit the Mount of Precipice, where Jesus wasrejected by the people of Nazareth. We make our way to the Sea of Galilee area, where we stop at Mount Arbel for a breathtaking view over the Sea of Galilee, and an overview of the ministry of Jesus with the disciples. We end the day visiting Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. B, D.

Overnight in Sea of Galilee area

We begin our day at the Mount of Beatitudes, where we hear an unforgettable reading of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Afterwards, we spend some time in the remains of Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. We visit the synagogue and see the house where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. We visit an area on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, near where Jesus called his first disciples to follow Him. A short drive south along the water brings us to the Jesus Boat Museum at Ginosar and the opportunity to board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” for our unforgettable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Disembarking from the boat, we head to Bethsaida, the hometown of Philip, Peter, and Andrew, and a town where Jesus performed many miracles. We walk on the famous Jesus Trail, following in the foosteps of Jesus. We end the day with a visit to the Jordan River, where you will have the opportunity to be baptized in the same river as was Jesus. B, D.

Overnight in Sea of Galilee area

We begin the day at Mensa Christi (Table of Christ), where the risen Christ ate breakfast with his disciples, for a time of reflection and worship. From there, we travel north through Upper Galilee to Tel Dan for short hike/walk through the beautiful Tel Dan Reserve to one of the sources of the Jordan River. A short drive takes us to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Christ as “the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). We bid farewell to the region of Galilee and head south to Jerusalem. B, D.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Today we begin our day on the Mount of Olives. We visit Paternoster Church, which overlooks the town of Bethany. We proceed down the Mount of Olives on the ancient Palm Sunday Road, following the steps of Jesus as he approached Jerusalem for the final time before his crucifixion and resurrection. We stop at Dominus Flevit (Latin for “The Lord Wept”), the church erected to commemorate where Jesus wept upon seeing Jerusalem. We make our way to the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a paralytic (John 5), andthe nearby St. Anne’s Church, an in-tact crusader-era church renowned for its acoustics. We head to Mount Zion where we visit the Upper Room, the traditional site of the Last Supper. B, D.

Overnight in Jerusalem

This morning we visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus agonized on the night before His crucifixion, and the nearby Church of All Nations. We come to St. Peter’s in Gallicantu, where we recall Peter’s denial of Christ. We then visit the place where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate. We walk the Via Dolorosa, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We conclude our day at with a visit to Golgotha and the Garden Tomb for a memorable time of worship and communion. B, D.

Overnight in Jerusalem

Today we visit the Israel Museum, where we will see a fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it was in Jesus’ time. We visit Yad Hashmona, home to a messianic Jewish community. We visit a vineyard where we learn more about what it means to “abide in the vine” (John 15). From there we drive to the beautiful seaport of Caesarea, a city where two famous followers of Jesus made historic impacts in a young and expanding church. Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman centurion Cornelius (Acts 10) and Paul was imprisoned here and began his historic journey to Rome from this city (Acts 23-27). This evening we enjoy our Farewell Dinner. B, D.

Your flight home may depart either tonight or the following day. If the following day and an ovenrnight is required, overnight Netanya. 

Your flight home may depart either the previous night or today. If today and time allows, breakfast is included today. Either way, today we arrive back in Cleveland (CLE). At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the land Jesus walked in, a renewal of our faith, a greater understanding of the life of our Lord and a renewed commitment to follow Jesus as his disciple.