Embark on a transformative 10-day biblical study tour in Israel, with 7 full days immersed in the rich biblical context of this holy land. This journey will inspire your faith and enrich your biblical knowledge like never before!

Book now to secure your spot! 🇮🇱

Most tours of Israel focus on information.

Dates.
Ruins.
Historical facts.

Those things matter, but they are not the heart of this journey.

The Bible was never meant to be experienced as a list of locations or historical data points. It is a story. A living story that unfolded in real places, among real people, across real landscapes.

When you walk the land of Israel with the story in mind, something changes.

• The hills of Galilee become the classroom where fishermen learned to follow a Rabbi.

• The wilderness becomes the place where God shaped prophets and prepared the Messiah.

• The streets of Jerusalem become the stage where the mission of Jesus reached its climax.

This tour is designed to help you enter that story.

Instead of simply visiting sites, we explore how geography, culture, and daily life shaped the way Jesus taught and formed His disciples.

Because discipleship was never meant to be learned in a classroom.

It was learned on the road.

And that is exactly where we will walk.

Every location becomes part of a larger narrative that reveals what it means in Being a Disciple of Rabbi Jesus.

All travelers will depart from their nearest International Airport to arrive in Tel Aviv to join the tour.

All travelers will arrive in Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday September 24th at or before 4pm.

Our hotel is next to the Mediterranean beach and can be walked too fairly easily.

Topic: Entering the Promised Land.
What it means to leave Egypt and walk in the Promised Land

We will spend our first evening as a community of believers coming together to relive the Red Sea crossing and entering the Promised Land and how we can journey through the land together.

This day is designed to give a clear grasp of the Shephelah, the lowland region where Israel engaged with the surrounding nations, and the nations that inhabited Israel. These are the places where the people of God lived on the boundary lines, encountered foreign cultures, and learned what it meant to remain faithful while surrounded by competing worldviews.

Here we explore one of the most important and largest cities in ancient Israel during the time of the kings.

We will also look across the Ayalon Valley from a high ridge above the site. It also reveals the line of the Via Maris, the great international highway that carried people, trade, and ideas across the ancient world. Israel stood at the center of that movement.

The magnificent port city built by Herod the Great. Here we see the theater, palace foundations, hippodrome, and the remains of Herod’s grand harbor.

In the shadow of Herod’s palaces and pagan temples, Jesus’ teachings about the dangers of riches and the fleeting nature of worldly power take on even greater meaning.

The dramatic site of Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal. The mountain offers sweeping views of the Jezreel Valley, the Mediterranean coast, and the surrounding ranges.

A major urban center only a short distance from Jesus’ hometown. Known as “the ornament of Galilee,” Tzipori was filled with mosaics, Roman style villas, theaters, markets, and administrative buildings.

Many scholars believe that Joseph and Jesus would have worked here during major construction periods.

We will walk the ancient trail that Jesus would have walked, and sit atop the “high mountain” where he taught.

One of the towns where Jesus taught and performed miracles. The basalt synagogue here stands as a powerful reminder of village life, Torah instruction, and the daily rhythms of learning. Here in the Synagogue, we will explore the importance of a synagogue and its structure.

The home town of Mary of Magdalene (Migdalene). Here we will visit a synagogue that Jesus would have taught in, and the fishing village along the shores of Galilee.

Known as the hometown of Jesus. This village served as the base of His ministry in Galilee.

An impressive Greco Roman city perched high above the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. This city, known also as Hippos, was part of the Decapolis. Its culture, architecture, and values stood in contrast with the Jewish villages across the lake.

From this vantage point we see the tension between the world of the Gentiles and the world of Jewish Galilee, the very dynamic Jesus stepped into when He crossed the sea, healed the demoniac, and sent him back to proclaim all that God had done for him.

To end the day, we step onto a wooden boat and push out onto the Sea of Galilee as the sun begins to set.

We end the day with worship, prayer, and reflection, allowing the stillness of the Sea of Galilee to speak. It is here that many begin to understand that being a disciple is not simply learning information, but choosing to trust the Rabbi enough to follow Him wherever He leads.

Today we journey through the Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights, a region marked by dramatic cliffs, lush springs, and ancient borderlands. This area was home to intense movements of faith and resistance, including the Zealots, whose passion for God and the purity of Israel shaped much of the political and spiritual landscape in the days of Jesus.

As we step into their world, we explore what true zeal looks like and how Jesus redirected passion away from violence and toward a life shaped by God’s kingdom.

Our morning begins at the Beit Tziyada Lookout Point, a sweeping vantage above the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee. From “the other side” we can see the natural landscape that shaped the ministry of Jesus, the routes He traveled with His disciples, and the northern hills where fishermen, farmers, and freedom fighters lived side by side.

The view prepares us to understand the world of zeal, oppression, and expectation that filled first century Galilee.

From the lookout we travel to Gamla, often called the “Masada of the North.” Built along a narrow, steep ridge, Gamla was a stronghold of the Zealot movement. Its cliffs tell the story of fierce resistance against Rome and the longing for a kingdom free from foreign rule. The ruins of homes, the synagogue, and the dramatic setting help us imagine the intensity of those who believed that zeal for God required defending the land at all costs.

Our journey continues north to Tel Dan, one of the most fertile and beautiful regions in Israel. Here we explore ancient city gates, high places, and water-fed pathways shaded by thick vegetation.

Next, we visit Caesarea Philippi, known in ancient times as Paneas. This region was filled with shrines, idols, and pagan worship—an environment representing spiritual confusion and competing claims of loyalty. It was here that Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

In a place filled with rival gods and displays of Roman power, Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” The contrast could not be clearer: earthly zeal sought freedom through force, but Jesus revealed a kingdom established through sacrifice, truth, and divine authority.

Our final location of the day is Omrit, a lesser-known but remarkably important temple complex. Many scholars identify this site as a possible temple dedicated to Caesar built by Herod the Great. The discovery of its foundations reveals the political and religious pressures present during the lifetime of Jesus.  This location can help explain the concept of paying tribute to Ceasar and worship of Ceasar.

Our morning begins in the Jordan Valley as we travel to Beth Shean, one of the largest and most impressive archaeological sites in Israel and the only Decapolis city located west of the Jordan. Known in Scripture as the place where the bodies of Saul and his sons were displayed after Israel’s defeat by the Philistines, Beth Shean later developed into a thriving Greco Roman city.

From Beth Shean we travel to Tel Rehov, an important Iron Age city in the Jordan Valley that helps illuminate the prophetic movement of ancient Israel. This region is closely associated with the ministry of Elisha and the communities known as the sons of the prophets. These were not solitary mystics, but groups formed around a master prophet, learning, serving, and being shaped through close proximity and obedience.

We then continue south to the Jordan River, arriving at the traditional baptism site just north of the Dead Sea, the place long remembered as where Jesus was baptized by John. Standing along the banks of the Jordan places us at a moment of profound transition. This is where Jesus stepped into the water, identified with repentance, and publicly embraced the mission given to Him by the Father.

From the Jordan we travel to Jericho, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Jericho stands as a symbol of both conquest and compassion. It was here that Israel first entered the land under Joshua, and here that Jesus healed the blind and transformed the life of Zacchaeus. Jericho shows us that the mission of Jesus brings mercy, justice, and transformation into places long marked by brokenness.

From Jericho we ascend toward Jerusalem, climbing from the depths of the Jordan Valley into the hills of Judea. This physical ascent mirrors Jesus’ own journey as He set His face toward Jerusalem. The mission that began quietly in Galilee now moves steadily toward its fulfillment. As we arrive in the city, we prepare to enter the final chapters of the story, where the mission of Jesus will be completed through obedience, sacrifice, and resurrection.

In Scripture the desert is a place where God shapes His people. It is a place of testing, refining, revelation, and dependence. Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus all spent defining seasons in the wilderness. As we travel through the Judean Desert, we step into landscapes that formed the faith of the people of God. The quiet, the stark beauty, and the vast empty spaces help us understand why the desert becomes one of the most important locations in the Bible.

The day begins with a gondola ride to the top of Masada, the ancient desert fortress of Herod the Great. On the summit we explore Herod’s palaces, military barracks, storerooms, throne room, personal apartment, and private bath. The ruins reveal the ambition and fear that shaped Herod’s rule.

We also stop at the massive Roman ramp, a remarkable engineering effort that eventually allowed the Roman army to breach the fortress during the First Jewish Revolt.

Our journey proceeds to Ein Gedi, a desert oasis where fresh water springs flow throughout the year. Its waterfalls and pools stand in dramatic contrast to the barren cliffs around them.

This is the place where Saul pursued David and entered a cave where David and his men were hiding deeper inside. David refused to harm Saul, trusting God’s timing rather than taking vengeance into his own hands.  Getting to our first stop early will allow for the group to experience Ibix, Hyrax, and other desert animals.

From Ein Gedi we continue north to Qumran, a desert settlement of the Essene community overlooking the Dead Sea. This community of priests devoted itself to Scripture, purity, and preparation for the coming Messiah.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the caves above the site, are among the most significant biblical findings in history. Their presence reveals the devotion of a people who preserved the Scriptures with extraordinary care.

To end the day, we enter the waters of the Dead Sea, the lowest place on earth. Here we float effortlessly, unable to sink, surrounded by silence, desert, and stillness.

This is a place where nothing grows, yet it powerfully teaches about trust and surrender. The Dead Sea becomes a living metaphor for the end of striving.

There is nothing to accomplish here and nothing to prove. You simply lean back and rest, held up by the water beneath you. After a day tracing the mission of Jesus from prophetic calling to baptism and obedience, this moment invites reflection.

The mission was never carried by human strength alone. It was sustained by trust in the Father. As we float in these ancient waters, the land reminds us that discipleship begins with obedience, but it is sustained by surrender.

Today we walk into the heart of Jerusalem, following the same pathways Jesus walked during His final days. This is the world of the Sadducees, the priestly aristocracy who controlled the Temple, aligned with Rome, and held immense religious and political power.

As we trace Jesus’ final week through the Mount of Olives, the Temple precincts, and the streets of the city, we see the growing tension between His mission and the authority structures of His day.

Our morning begins on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city of Jerusalem. From this ridge Jesus approached the city during the Triumphal Entry as crowds shouted “Hosanna” and waved palm branches. The view reveals the Temple Mount, the old city walls, and the valleys below, bringing Luke nineteen and Zechariah’s prophecy to life.

We will stop at the Church of Dominus Flevit, that includes an ancient tomb structure and the traditional place where Jesus would have wept over the city.

We continue down the traditional path of the entry into the Church of All Nations and the ancient olive trees near Gethsemane. Here Jesus prayed in deep agony, submitting to the will of the Father while His disciples slept. This garden setting allows us to reflect on the weight of His mission and His courage in facing betrayal, arrest, and the Sanhedrin led by the Sadducees.

From the Church of All Nations, we enter the ancient Church of Gethsemane that was an ancient olive press.  This is most likely the place where Christ stayed during his final week in Jerusalem.

Nearby we visit the Garden behind the Tomb of the Virgin, a quieter space that preserves the atmosphere of the ancient olive groves. From here we look toward the Eastern Gate, the symbolic entrance associated with the coming of the Messiah. This location helps us visualize the hope, expectation, and tension that surrounded Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem.  This olive grove, is a peaceful, relaxing area to absorb the experience and have a moment of worship together.

If the site is open, we proceed onto the Temple Mount between 12:30 and 1:30. (All depends on if the Israel and Palestine militaries are getting along that day.)  This was the domain of the Sadducees, who oversaw the Temple, controlled sacrifices, and held political authority under Rome. Standing here helps us imagine Jesus teaching in the courts, overturning the tables of money changers, and confronting a system more focused on power and wealth than on righteousness and mercy.

The Temple Mount becomes the central point of conflict between Jesus and the Sadducees, who saw Him as a threat to their authority and stability.  We will explore as much of the Temple Mount as possible.  This includes areas similar to Solomon’s Porch, the backside of the Eastern Gate, the original bedrock of Mt Moriah, The wall of separation, the Steps of Ascent, the Dome of the Rock, and other key locations.

From there we walk to the Church of St Anne, a Crusader era structure with remarkable acoustics. Nearby lie the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the man who had been sick for thirty eight years. This miracle, performed at a site deeply associated with ritual purity, offers insight into Jesus' compassion and His challenge to the religious systems that often excluded the broken.

We will descend to the ancient city of David and experience the House of David, and Hezekiah’s Tunnel walking through ancient passageway and its cool waters.

We then walk the "Pilgim's Road" that has recently opened and follow the path that millions of Jewish worshippers would have ascended to the Temple in the Second Temple Period.

Our morning begins in the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem, where ancient streets, homes, and archaeological remains reveal the life of Jerusalem in the days of Jesus. Here we see how families lived, how communities functioned, and how the rhythms of daily life were centered around Scripture, commerce, and Temple worship. This quarter places us inside the living structure of the city Jesus knew.

We then visit the Davidson Center Archaeological Park, located along the southern edge of the Temple Mount. Standing among the original steps that led into the Temple, we imagine Jesus teaching multitudes, confronting religious leaders, and calling people to repentance. The massive stones, ritual baths, and monumental architecture bring into focus the world of the Sadducees and the weight of the religious system Jesus challenged.

Here we begin to sense the tension that will ultimately lead to His arrest.

From there we continue to Mt Zion to visit the traditional Upper Room, the place to remember the Last Supper. Here Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, instituted the new covenant, and commanded them to love one another. This room becomes a symbol of unity, humility, and the mission Jesus entrusted to His closest followers.

It is also traditionally associated with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the moment when Followers of the Way were empowered to carry the gospel beyond Jerusalem.

Next, we explore the area of Herod’s Palace and the Praetorium, the location where Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate. Here Roman soldiers mocked Him, the crowds shouted for His crucifixion, and Pilate reluctantly handed Him over. Standing among these remains allows us to picture the collision between earthly authority and the kingdom Jesus proclaimed.

This is a place where power, fear, and injustice confronted the innocence and resolve of the Messiah.

We then move to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. Within its ancient walls we step into the heart of the Christian story. This church, built over Golgotha and the tomb, invites deep reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus and the hope of resurrection that defines the movement of the Way.  We explore the rock outcropping, stone quarry and burial location in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

We then visit The Garden Tomb, a quiet and contemplative site that provides an alternative setting for remembering the crucifixion and resurrection.

Whether this is the historical location or a symbolic witness, the Garden Tomb offers a peaceful place to reflect on the empty tomb and the victory of Jesus over death.

Leaving Jerusalem, we travel to Khirbet Midras, a meaningful place to offer a final commissioning. This site, connected to ancient Jewish communities and the landscape of discipleship, becomes a fitting setting to send out Followers of the Way.

Here we can sit in an empty tomb and reflect on what we have seen, what we have learned, and how we are called to walk as disciples of Jesus in our own lives and communities.

We will end this tour with a time of communion and final remarks.

We conclude with a farewell dinner, sharing conversation and celebration before departing for the airport and preparing for a late evening flight, carrying the impact of this journey home.

(Flights depart at 11pm or later)

The tour comes to an end after experience the beauty Israel and timeliness stories of the Bible.

The group will be departing Tel Aviv Ben Gurion airport around midnight or very early in the morning to arrive back in the states the following afternoon.