ISRAEL: December 26, 2024-January 5, 2025 “How we know: Examining the Evidence for the Bible” with Waypoint Youth, Goshen, IN (Program #241202X)

Students in triple rooms $4880.00

Adults in double rooms (up to 10 rooms) $4999.00

*Single supplement $1000.00

Did you ever wonder, “How can we be sure about the ancient scrolls we call the Bible?” I mean, we are trusting an old library of books to guide us… is there real evidence that the events these books record actually happened the way they said they did?

This study program in Israel is designed for youth, and highlights the modern scientific and archaeological discoveries that illustrate the Bible’s trustworthiness to help students have confidence in the Bible’s accounts. Careful examination, along with hikes and fun have been combined to create an outstanding learning experience!

Day One: Thursday, December 26, 2024

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

Day Two: Friday, December 27, 2024 Arrival in Israel!

Arrive TLV Airport and transfer to your hotel for a good night’s rest!  Overnight: On Mediterranean Coast.

Day Three: Saturday, December 28, 2024

Searching for evidence of the Gospel accounts: Today we focus on key evidences for Jesus' public ministry. Sites: Caesarea Maritima, Megiddo, Mt. Arbel. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (1 of 3).

Questions: Is there significant evidence available to describe the earliest followers of Jesus? If so, what can we know of these early “disciples?”

Questions: How do we know about events of antiquity? Does the story of Jesus “fit” into any reasonable timeline? What makes the Biblical account unique as an historical narrative?

Day Four: Sunday, December 29, 2024

The Search for the Disciples: Using the four gospel accounts, we will investigate the evidence of the background, education and daily life of the disciples. Sites: Boat ride, Ancient Boat exhibit, Mt. Beatitudes, Magdala, Capernaum, Tiberias. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (2 of 3).

Questions: Do Jesus’ teachings as recorded in the Gospels make sense in that time? Why don’t all four Gospels tell the story in exactly the same way and same sequence?

Day Five: Monday, December 30, 2024

Examining the Teachings of Jesus up close: Based on the five sermons in the Gospel according to Matthew, our focus will be on the common teaching style of the ancient rabbis. Sites: Tel Dan, Banias (Caesarea Philippi), overlook into Syria, Qatzrin Village, View of Gamla, Mizpe Nokaib. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (3 of 3).

Questions: Why do so many people “interpret” Jesus’ sayings so differently? Is the text confused or is there another reason"?

Day Six: Monday, December 31, 2024

Uncovering Jesus’ interactions: Luke’s “Special Section” (10-19) includes a longer narrative of Jesus’ walk through Perea, and some of the toughest teachings of the Savior. Today we will look closely at Beth Shean excavations, Qumran, Jericho. Overnight: Dead Sea area (1 of 1).

Questions: When a major city is uncovered from ancient times, are there ways we can know about the long-dead inhabitants? How can we uncover their story?

Day Seven: Tuesday, January 1, 2025

Predictive Prophecy as evidence of the Bible’s truthfulness: 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 hike, Jericho. Overnight: Jerusalem (1 of 4).

Questions: What evidence do we possess of prediction prophecy where we have a copy of scrolls from before the fulfillment of them? Why are the Dead Sea Scrolls helpful to us to indicate the care of the copying of the Bible?

Day Eight: Wednesday, January 2, 2025

Following evidence trails for the work of Jesus: The issues involved in the arrest, trial and conviction of Jesus will be our subject as we journey through the "salvation geography" of Jerusalem in the Gospel According to John. Sites: Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb. Overnight: Jerusalem (2 of 4).

Questions: Is there evidence of an ancient Temple that matches the finds in Jerusalem? How many passages of Scripture can be carefully demonstrated to be true to the detail based on Jerusalem archaeology?

Day Nine: Thursday, January 3, 2025

Examining the Dispute over Messiahs: With a specific view of the history of "other Messiahs" we will discuss the expectations for the Messiah, and their relationship to the record of the preaching of Jesus.  Sites: Mt. Scopus overview, Gethsemane, St. Peter en Gallicantu. (Afternoon) A closer look at the Birth Narratives of the Gospels: 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 (3 of 4).

Questions: If others claimed to be Messiah, how can we disagree with the ancient rabbis and claim Jesus met the criteria, and not one of the others? Do the birth narratives concerning Jesus really disagree and contradict one another as has been charged?

Day Ten: Friday, January 4, 2025

Looking over the Huge Piles of evidence: 9:30 departure to Israel Museum, lunch in Christian Quarter, free time for shopping in the Old City. Dinner at your hotel. Overnight: Jerusalem (4 of 4).

Questions: How many detailed finds that are carefully recovered from the Bible do you believe it will take for others to acknowledge the writings are both true and carefully maintained?

Day Eleven: Saturday, January 5, 2025

Departure for flight from Tel Aviv to the USA. We’ll head home tired, but with a full tool box of truths from the Word!

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.

TOUR PRICE for STUDENTS $4879.00 (triple room) and ADULTS $4999.00 (double occupancy).

INCLUDED IN this twelve-day trip with air from Chicago (ORD) are group transfers, hotels, Israeli buffet breakfast and dinner daily, all tips for group services, full sightseeing, the services of an English-speaking local guide, and all entrance fees to sites as listed in the program. All taxes and surcharges in effect as of April 1, 2023 are included. If additional surcharges or taxes are imposed by the airlines or governments, any additional amounts will be theresponsibility of the passenger. This price is based on a minimum of 30 passengers.

NOT INCLUDED are any expenses required for COVID compliance, personal items such as laundry; drinks or coffee with dinners; lunches, tips for personal favors; excess baggage and forwarding of baggage; transfers other than with the group; optional travel insurance.

ACCOMMODATIONS are based on Tourist Class 3* hotels using double or triple occupancy in a twin (for adults) or triple (for students) bedded room with private bath.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT … There is a supplemental charge of $1000 if you prefer a single room. Individuals enrolling without a roommate may request to be matched with a roommate. In the event that a roommate is not available, individuals will be required to pay the single supplement charge. All single rooms are subject to availability and may be smaller than normal twin rooms.

PAYMENT: A nonrefundable deposit of $300 per person, is required to secure your place on the program. A second payment of $2500 per person is due six (6) months prior to departure. Deposits received within six (6) months of departure require a total initial payment of $2800. Final payment is due to CTSP three (3) months prior to departure. Thereafter, a late payment fee of $100 per person per month will be assessed.

CANCELLATION FEES:

90+ days prior non-refundable deposit

66-90 days prior 50% plus non-refundable deposit

0-65 days prior No refund

*If your cancellation results in a roommate needing a single supplement, that amount will be charged to you in addition to the above fees.

*All refund claims must be in writing to CTSP. There is no refund for any services not used.

TRIP INSURANCE IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

NOTE: Insurance purchased within two weeks of deposit provides the best value, and may cover pre-existing conditions.

ITINERARY LENGTH: Flight times are subject to change without advance notice. CTSP is not responsible for changes and delays in airline schedules and does not reimburse passengers for expenses resulting from delays. Because airlines often change flight times and dates at the last minute, CTSP strongly recommends that if passengers are purchasing any connecting tickets they should be able to be changed without heavy fees or penalties. If airline(s) change flight schedules, CTSP reserves the right to lengthen or shorten the itinerary accordingly, and whenever possible, you will be notified in writing. If changes necessitate extra overnights, you will be charged (per person, per night) US$150 double occupancy, or US$280 for single rooms (includes single supplement).

AIRLINE ARRANGEMENTS from Chicago (ORD) are included in the Full Tour price. Air Transportation will be economy class aboard regularly scheduled carriers utilizing non-refundable, non-transferable, non-amendable tickets. Once your ticket has been written, it cannot be transferred, rewritten, or refunded.

YOUR LUGGAGE is restricted in size and shape by the airline, and is limited to one checked piece (max 50#), one carryon, plus a smaller personal piece. You should check with the airline for the specific restrictions.

STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY

CTSP agrees to provide the itinerary described for this trip, and it represents the entire agreement between the passenger and CTSP. No changes or deviations are effective unless approved in writing and signed by an authorized officer of CTSP. Except as stated herein, no person is authorized to cancel, modify, or vary the study program arrangements (during the course) or to make any representation of warranty concerning the program.

All prices, itineraries, and schedules are subject to regulations and changes thereof by acts of Government, International Agreement and Airline tariff adjustments, rules and regulations.

CTSP reserves the right to change or withdraw the program, in whole or in part, at any time. In the event of a change, the sole exclusive obligation of CTSP will be to refund pro rata any recoverable payment received, based on recovered funds. In the event of rescheduling of the program due to unforeseen circumstances, the cancellation and refund clause will apply. CTSP reserves the right to refuse or to revoke travel to anyone who is, in the sole judgment of CTSP, incapable of or detrimental to group travel.

Except for the willful negligence of its direct employees, CTSP assumes no liability or responsibility for any injuries, inconveniences, illness, irregularity or incidental damages occasioned by circumstances beyond the control of CTSP, or by any person or reason whatsoever, including, but not limited to events such as strikes, revolts, wars, natural disaster, closures of airports or hotels, default or omission of any common or private carrier or the default, negligence, or omission of any by any third party providing services or facilities related to or included in this program.

The commercial carriers are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not on board commercial carriers. The passenger contracts, in use by all commercial carriers involved, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the commercial carriers and the passenger or purchaser of this program and/or passage and program operator assumes no liability or responsibility in connection therewith.

ENROLLMENT in and payment of the deposit for the tour constitutes your acceptance of the Program Conditions and Statement of Responsibility.