Israel Study Tour with Crossroads Bible Church

June 20 - July 2, 2016

Subscription options are no longer available for this tour.

Help support our friends in Israel in their time of need.

Exploring The Ministry of Our One True Rabbi

Rest Location: Kibbutz of Ein Gev on The Sea of Galilee

Sites Visited (Chronologically):
1. Mount Arbel
2. Tabgha (Catholic Church of the Primacy of Peter)
3. Capernaum
4. Chorazin
5. Bethsaeda

In the time when Jesus walked, the land surrounding Galilee was rich in culture. The Kindgom of Herod The Great had been divided amongst his sons. Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and Perea as client states of the Roman Empire. The capital of his Kingdom, Tiberius, sat along the western shores of this great body of water. Decapolis was a Roman region of ten cities, occupied predominantly by Pagans. The Sea itself is a fresh body of water, large enough to be treacherous to a fisherman but small enough to be chaotic and uncomfortable between people groups like the Jews, the Greeks, and the Romans. It was here, amongst all the world views and the resulting chaos that Jesus chose to cultivate His people and deliver His ministry.

The cities of Capernaum, Chorazin, and Bethsaeda form a geographical triangle along the northern shores of the Sea. From Capernaum to Bethsaida, stretch a mere six miles. It is within this triangle that Jesus delivered 90% of His ministry. Five of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Phillip were from Bethsaida. They fished along the northern shores where Jesus often visited to spread the Word of God. It was along these shores where Jesus asked the disciples to drop their nets and follow Him (Matthew 4:18-20). It was at Bethsaida where, at the astonishment of His disciples, Jesus multiplied the five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a crowd of thousands (Luke 9:10-15).

Capernaum

Jesus made Capernaum his home during the years of his ministry: “Leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum” (Matt 4:13).

Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen living in the village. Matthew the tax collector also dwelt here.

Capernaum is one of the three cities cursed by Jesus for its lack of faith.

Learn More

In the Synagogue of Capernaum Jesus preached His message of repentance (Matthew 4:13), Jubilee (Isaiah 61) and commanded over impure spirits (Mark 1:21, Luke 4:33-35). Jesus performed miracles, one after another, demonstrating His power to heal the sick and bring takum olam (Hebrew for world reparation) to earthly chaos. His teachings flew in the face of the Pagan value system, where rich and beautiful were considered most holy. He showed His people that the outcast came first, even before the leader of the synagogue (Luke 8:40-56).

At Mount Arbel, Jesus would retreat upon high to pray to His Father alone. From here He could look out, beyond Magdala (the hometown of Mary Magdalene) over the Sea of Galilee. He could see Capernaum, He could see Bethsaeda. Jesus could see His disciples rowing, scared by the treacherous waves buffeting against their boat in the storm (Matthew 14:22). It was from Arbel that He approached them, walking across the worldly chaos embodied by the Sea so feared by the Jews. It was at this place that he chose His twelve, He interceded for them, He watched over them as He watches over us during the storms in our lives.

Mount Arbel

Mount Arbel (Hebrew: הר ארבל‎‎, Har Arbel) is a mountain in The Lower Galilee near Tiberias in Israel, with high cliffs, views of Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, trails to a cave-fortress, and ruins of an ancient synagogue. Mt. Arbel sits across from Mount Nitai; their cliffs were created as a result of the Jordan Rift Valley and the geological faults that produced the valleys.

Learn More

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples along the shores near Tabgha, where He cooked a meal for them. He called out to them and upon realizing who He was, Peter swam ashore to greet Jesus. It was here that Peter had denied Jesus, but it was here that Jesus reaffirmed to Peter that He believed in him (John 21). We must ask ourselves, how many of us are getting out of the boat to follow Jesus? We must ask ourselves, Is Jesus my Rabi? He chose me, but am I His disciple?

Be not afraid of the chaos, He says. I go before you, always. Come, follow me, and I will give you rest (Deut. 31.8)

Michael Paeplow

Upcoming Signature Tours

With 30 years of experience creating trips for other ministries, we've prepared our own signature study tours featuring some of our favorite itineraries and compelling teachers! If you've never been on a GTI Study Tour, take a moment to learn more about what you can expect.

GTI Signature Germany Study Tour
Sep 11-19, 2024
Learn More

Turkey / Greece Signature Study Tour
Sep 15-25, 2024
Learn More

Egypt / Jordan Signature Study Tour
Mar 5-17, 2025
Learn More