ISRAEL: April 18-29, 2026
“The Life and Land of Jesus”
with Vineyard Mishawaka
(Program #260403, Taught by Dr. Smith)
Day One: Saturday, April 18, 2026. Depart for Israel!
Depart home for Tel Aviv, Israel. Overnight: In flight.
Day Two: Sunday, April 19, 2026. Arrival in Israel!
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport in the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel for check-in, dinner, and a good night’s rest! Overnight: Tel Aviv area. B, D
Day Three: Monday, April 20, 2026. Four Conflicts in the Background of the Gospels.
Highlighting four example sites, this study focuses on four key conflicts in the background of Jesus' public ministry. Sites: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth (cave homes), Zippori (Sepphoris). Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B, D
Day Four: Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Characteristics of the Disciples.
Using the four gospel accounts, we will investigate the hints on the background, education, and theology of the disciples. Sites: Mt. Arbel, Magdala, Ancient Boat exhibit, boat ride, Mt. Beatitudes, Capernaum. Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B, D
Day Five: Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 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. Sites: Dan Nature Reserve and Tel Dan (with Abrahamic-period mud brick gate), Banias (Caesarea Philippi), overlook into Syria, Qatzrin (Talmudic Village). Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee. B, D
Day Six: Thursday, April 23, 2026. The Perean Ministry of Jesus.
We will address the issues of the Perean Ministry, looking into Luke 10–19, the "special section" of this account. Sites: Beth Shean, Jordan Valley, Qumran, Dead Sea. Overnight: Dead Sea spa hotel. B, D
Day Seven: Friday, April 24, 2026. 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, Genesis Land camel ride. Overnight: Jerusalem (5 nights). B, D
Day Eight: Saturday, April 25, 2026. Messianic Expectations and Disappointments.
With a specific view of the history of "other Messiahs," we will discuss the expectations for the Messiah and their relationship to the preaching of Jesus. Sites: Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Gallicantu (House of Caiaphas). P.M.: Setting of the Birth Narrative We will investigate what the Biblical accounts tell us of Jesus' birth, based on both the Matthew and Luke accounts. Sites: Herodion, Bethlehem, Shepherd's Field. Overnight: Jerusalem. B, D
Day Nine: Sunday, April 26, 2026. A Living People.
Visit Yad Vashem, the Jewish Quarter (Cardo, Broad Wall, lunch), the Western Wall, and the South Wall excavations (Davidson Center). Overnight: Jerusalem. B, D
Day Ten: Monday, April 27, 2026. 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 in the Gospel According to John. Sites: Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb (with communion). Overnight: Jerusalem. B, D
Day Eleven: Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Free Day in Jerusalem.
This day is open for shopping, museum visits, cultural exploration, or rest.
Overnight: Jerusalem. B
Day Twelve: Wednesday, April 29, 2026. Arrival in US!
Depart from Tel Aviv to home, arriving later the same day
Every reasonable effort will be made to visit all that is on the itinerary; however, CTSP reserves the right to make changes based on local conditions and the needs of the group. It is seldom that we deviate from the itinerary as written, but it can happen.