For three consecutive days, some pastors and church ministers from the local churches in the land took part in a study tour around the area of Galilee led by Aryeh Bar David, a Messianic Jew tour guide and a Bible teacher.

The study focused on the life of Jesus in the area of Galilee especially Capernaum and round the shores of the lake of Galilee. The study also highlighted the connection of Biblical passages with the actual sites where these Biblical stories and events took place in addition to studying their historical, spiritual and theological context.

On the first day, the tour started with visiting the area of Wadee El Hamam and taking the same way that Jesus walked when He moved between Nazareth, Capernaum and Galilee…Afterwards the group visited Banias River known as “Caesaria Philippi” back in the days of Jesus. It is the place where Peter declared that Christ is the Son of the Living God (Matthew 13: 16-28). The group studied the passage from the Bible whilst they were in the location and afterwards they wandered around in the area of Golan.

The second day was a study day spent in Capernaum. The group visited Peter’s house which was discovered in that location. The group also learnt about the living circumstances in Capernaum at the times of Jesus and the miracles and events that took place there such as healing the son of the centurion and the Lord’s teaching at the synagogue.  Prior to this, the group had studied chapter 21 from the Gospel of John in the location where Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection. It is the place where Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved Him.  The meaning and significance of Jesus’ answer to Peter: “Feed my sheep” was also discussed. Throughout the afternoon, the group visited the historical city of Capernaum and the participants had the chance to look at the ruins of the Jewish synagogue and the pool of purification according to the Jewish customs.

On the last day of this study tour, the group visited the area of Tel Megiddo (Harmagaddon) that overlooks the valley of Jezreel (marj ibn Amer). They also visited the archaeological places in Bisan built by Egyptian Pharaohs. The Romans settled afterwards in that place and built a big Roman city which was of great significance in the old times.

The participants agreed on the importance of such a study especially that it took place in the original places where these events and Biblical stories happened. Furthermore, they said it was equally important to study the historical and  geographical contexts of these places and to know about  the different cultures back then.

Aryeh Bar David, a Messianic Jew tour guide

Matthew, chapter 16, in Caesarea Philippi (Banias)

Banias River

The Golan

St. Peter's Basilica

Corazam

Galilee Lake

Bisan (Beit Shean)