ISRAEL: November 16-27, 2024

“The Life and Land of Jesus”

(Program #241104X, Taught by Dr. Smith)

Day 1. Saturday, November 16, 2024. Departure Day.

Depart USA for Tel Aviv, Israel. Overnight: In flight.

Day 2. Sunday, November 17, 2024. Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport.

Transfer to the hotel for check in, dinner and a goodnight’s rest! (Should flight schedules bring in the group in the AM, a visit to sites on the coast of Israel and lunch will precede check in at the hotel. Overnight: Tel Aviv area (1 of 1). B,D 

Day 3. Monday, November 18, 2024. Four Conflicts in the Background of the Gospels:

Highlighting four example sites, we will focus today on four “key conflicts” in the background of Jesus’ public ministry the Gospel writer thinks the reader will already understand. Sites: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth (cave homes), Zippori (Sepphoris). Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (1 of 3). B,D

Day 4. Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Characteristics of the Disciples.

Using all four gospel accounts, we will investigate the evidence on the background, education and theology of the first disciples Jesus chose. Sites: Mt. Arbel, Magdala, Ancient Boat exhibit, boat ride, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (2 of 3). B,D

Day 5. Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Private Teachings for the Disciples.

Based on the five sermons in the Gospel according to Matthew, our focus will be on the common teaching style of the ancient rabbis, comparing them to the way Jesus taught. Sites: Dan Nature Reserve, Tel Dan, Banias (Caesarea Philippi), overlook into Syria, Qatzrin Village. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (3 of 3). B,D

Day 6. Thursday, November 21, 2024. The Perean Ministry of Jesus.

Today, we will address the issues of the Perean Ministry as well as the ministry of John the Baptist, with selections from Luke 10-19 (the “special section” of that Gospel). Sites: Beth Shean, Jordan Valley, Qumran, Views of Jerusalem. Overnight: Dead Sea Area. (1 of 1) B,D

Day 7. Friday, November 22, 2024. Hebrew Themes of the Wilderness.

From the desert storm of Habakkuk, to the salt covenant of David, various Biblical wilderness themes will be highlighted, and then “up to Jerusalem”. Sites: Masada, Ein Gedi, Jericho. Overnight: Jerusalem (1 of 5). B,D

Day 8. Saturday, November 23, 2024. Messianic Expectations and Disappointments.

A.M. We will discuss the Passion Week record, focusing on the record of the preaching of Jesus. Sites: Emek Tsurim, Mt. of Olives overlook, Gethsemane. P.M. Setting of the Birth Narrative: After lunch, we will investigate what the Biblical accounts tell us of Jesus’ birth, based on both the Matthew and Luke accounts. Sites: Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field. Overnight: Jerusalem (2 of 5). B,D

Day 9. Sunday, November 24, 2024. A Living People.

We will look more closely at the regathering of the people of Israel in the land. Kfar Etzion, the Old City Jewish Quarter, the Western Wall, South Wall excavations (Davidson Center). Overnight: Jerusalem (3 of 5). B,D

Day 10. Monday, November 25, 2024. Jewish Questionings and Roman Trials of Jesus.

The arrest, trial and conviction of Jesus will be our subject as we journey through the “salvation geography” of Jerusalem following the Gospel According to John. Sites: Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb. Overnight: Jerusalem (4 of 5). B,D

Day 11. Tuesday, November 26, 2024. Free day in Jerusalem.

Our day at leisure allows time to shop, or just relax and take in the local culture. We’ll meet together for our final dinner. Overnight: Jerusalem (5 of 5). B,D

Day 12. Wednesday, November 27, 2024. Departure Day.

Depart from Tel Aviv to home, arriving later the same day. 

Every effort will be made to complete the full itinerary. Yet, because conditions are often unpredictable in travel, we reserve the right to make changes during the tour.