Our pre-trip series of classes continues in McKinney, TX, on Tuesday evenings, and all are welcome! These sessions are designed both for general education and for specific preparation to travel our upcoming Holy Land itinerary. Each gathering includes teaching time with John Harman and our always-popular “travel tips with Tina.” We have gathered the last three weeks and will continue to come together the next three weeks (Oct 26, Nov 2, 9). We add to that a bonus session on Bethlehem to go with the Christmas season (date TBA) and a pre-departure meeting in January for those traveling with us (date also TBA).
The current series began with an overview of the basic geography of the Holy Land. We looked at the major geographical regions and got oriented to the topographical layout and major natural landmarks. In the second session, we examined a specific area in more detail, including a few sites and areas that we will see on the trip such as Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, the Jezreel Valley, and Megiddo. As we do in every class, we look at the historical geography of these places as well as their biblical significance. One of our goals is to depart for the Holy Land with a solid orientation to the land and an understanding of why the sites we visit are significant to Christians.
In our most recent session, we traveled to Galilee for a virtual visit to Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, and Tabgha, with a focus on the life and ministry of Jesus. We also explored the far north, including Mount Hermon, Caesarea Philippi, and the headwaters of the Jordan River. Upcoming classes will focus on Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, the Judean hills and wilderness, and the Dead Sea (including Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls). As time allows, we also plan to discuss the sites we’ll see in Jordan and to learn some basics of archaeology that will help us on our travels.
All of our classes and materials are included in the trip package for our travelers. We still have room for additional pilgrims (see our itinerary overview and registration page, and contact us here). Any who are not traveling to the Holy Land can join us for any class session. There is a small fee of $25 per person per class. Contact us for details and to receive the Evite.
We look forward to continuing the journey together, and we hope that you are a part of it!
