Introduction to the Bible Lands

Aims of the Course:

You should expect your faith to be transformed and renewed as you make your pilgrim journey through the Holy Land. We will learn together, pray together, and worship together as we go.

During the course our academic staff and chaplain will enable you to:

• Explore the Holy Land as Christian pilgrims
• Visit key biblical sites from the Old and New Testaments
• Understand better the historical contexts and cultures in which Biblical stories took place.
• To integrate contextual biblical study with theological and spiritual reflection
• To encounter the roots and traditions of the Christian faith
• To begin to understand some of the contemporary issues in Israel and Palestine
• To relate our experiences to our lives and ministries in our home contexts.

Content of the Course:

While the details of every programme vary depending on local circumstances and date, we would typically visit the following places during the course:

• The place of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
• The fields where angel visited the shepherds (Luke 2.8-20).
• Jesus’ childhood home and the site of the Annunciation in Nazareth.
• The site of Christ’s baptism (where there is an opportunity to renew baptismal vows).
• The Sea of Galilee, including Jesus “own town” (Matt. 9.1), Capernaum.
• Caesarea Philippi, where Peter answered Christ’s question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8.29).
• The source of the Jordan River.
• Bethphage, where Jesus entered Jerusalem in triumph (Mark 11.1-10).
• The Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14.32–49).
• The Way of the Cross, the site of the crucifixion and Jesus’ tomb.
• The remains of the ancient city of Jericho, whose walls Joshua brought down (Joshua 6).
• The remains of the ancient city of Dan, the northern most city of Israel and the city of one of King Jeroboam’s sanctuary (Judges 18; 1 Kings 12).
• Mount Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).
• Key sites around Jerusalem from the time of David and Solomon through to Jesus’ day, including the remains of Herod’s Temple complex.
• You will also have a chance to float in the Dead Sea and to worship with the local Anglican community.

If you would like to discuss this course further do please contact our course director, The Rev. Dr. Hector Patmore,  [email protected]

Dates and Fees