March 6-17, 2027
ISRAEL:
THE LIFE AND LAND OF JESUS
WITH GATEWAY CHURCH
(Program #270301, Taught by Dr. Smith)
Price not yet listed, check back soon!
✅ INCLUDED:
Accommodations: First-Class (4★) hotels with private bath, based on double occupancy
Meals: Daily buffet breakfast and dinner.
Sightseeing: Full program of sightseeing as listed in the itinerary.
Guide: Licensed, English-speaking local guide throughout.
Entrance Fees: All included for sites listed in the program.
Tips for Group Services: All standard gratuities for hotels, restaurants, and drivers during group travel.
Taxes & Surcharges: All taxes and fuel surcharges in effect as of May 1, 2025.
Group Transportation: Motorcoach transfers and touring per itinerary.
Study Materials & Coordination: Assistance from CTSP staff before and during the journey.
Airfare (with Full Tour): Round-trip economy class airfare from the U.S. on regularly scheduled carriers.
Luggage: One checked bag (max 50 lbs), one carry-on, and one small personal item, per airline limits.
❌ NOT INCLUDED:
Personal Expenses: Laundry, phone calls, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, or coffee with dinners.
Lunches: Not included unless specifically noted.
Tips for Personal Favors: Such as hotel room service or private assistance.
Optional Travel Insurance: Highly recommended but not sold by CTSP.
COVID-related Expenses: Any required testing or compliance costs.
Excess or Forwarded Baggage: Airline fees for overweight or additional luggage.
Private Transfers: Any transfers not operating with the main group.
Single Room Supplement: $1,150 per person (required if a roommate cannot be assigned).
Passport Fees & Visas: Costs associated with obtaining or renewing your travel documents.
Additional Taxes or Airline Surcharges: If imposed after May 1, 2025.
Extra Nights: Any overnights caused by airline schedule changes ($180 pp double / $320 single per night).
Cancellations: Non-refundable deposits and applicable cancellation fees as listed in the Tour Conditions.
Itinerary:
Day One: Saturday, March 6, 2027
Depart East Coast for Tel Aviv, Israel.
Overnight: In flight.
Day Two: Sunday, March 7, 2027
Arrive Ben Gurion Airport. Transfer to the hotel, check in time for a walk on the Mediterranean beach, dinner, and a good night’s rest!
Overnight: Tel Aviv area (1).
Day Three: Monday, March 8, 2027
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), Sepphoris.
Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (1 of 3).
Day Four: Tuesday, March 9, 2027
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. Beatitudes, Capernaum, Ancient Boat exhibit, boat ride, Magdala, Mt. Arbel.
Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (2 of 3).
Day Five: Wednesday, March 10, 2027
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: Tel Dan, Banias (Caesarea Philippi), overlook into Syria, Qatzrin (Talmudic Village with video).
Overnight: By the Sea of Galilee (3 of 3).
Day Six: Thursday, March 11, 2027
The Perean Ministry of Jesus:
We will address the issues of the Perean Ministry, with particular examination of Luke 10–19, the “special section” of his account.
Sites: Beth Shean, Jordan Valley, Qumran, Dead Sea.
Overnight: Dead Sea spa hotel (1).
Day Seven: Friday, March 12, 2027
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.
Day Eight: Saturday, March 13, 2027
A.M.: 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 record of the preaching of Jesus.
Sites: Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Gallicantu.
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 (time and conditions permitting), Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field.
Overnight: Jerusalem (1 of 4).
Day Nine: Sunday, March 14, 2027
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 (2 of 4).
Day Ten: Monday, March 15, 2027
How One Became Two:
We will visit either Yad Vashem or Gush Etzion (TBD), the Old City Jewish Quarter, Western Wall plaza, South Wall excavations (Davidson Center).
Overnight: Jerusalem (3 of 4).
Day Eleven: Tuesday, March 16, 2027
Free Day. Our free day allows time to shop, or just relax and take in the local culture. Our study program concludes with a final dinner and preparation for our late-night flight (4 of 4).
Day Twelve: Wednesday, March 17, 2027
Return to US or Jordan Extension:
Every effort will be made to complete the full itinerary. However, because conditions are often unpredictable in travel, we reserve the right to make changes during the tour.