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What’s your why? Why go to Israel?

There is no wrong answer!!!

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Battle Cry for Bible Study

Context, Context, Context!!!

Eastern vs Western Context

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Apply to Biblical Passage

23^rd Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.�² He makes me lie down in green pastures,�he leads me beside quiet waters,�³ he refreshes my soul.�He guides me along the right paths� for his name’s sake.�⁴Even though I walk� through the darkest valley,^[^a^]�I will fear no evil,� for you are with me;�your rod and your staff,� they comfort me.⁵You prepare a table before me� in the presence of my enemies.�You anoint my head with oil;� my cup overflows.�⁶Surely your goodness and love will follow me� all the days of my life,�and I will dwell in the house of the Lord� forever.

�

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Does Geography shape theology?

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Travel Spectrum

Some travel mostly around US

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Lucky to leave the house!

World Traveler

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Discover Spectrum

Believe in God but would rather just see the sites and check it off my bucket list

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Don’t believe in God, going because my friends or family is going.

Pilgrimage

Believe in God, but still going because my friends or family is going.

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Pilgrimage

is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about themself, others, and God through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation.

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Learn Spectrum

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Just tell me the things I need to know for the test, then I will forget about it!

What is this, school? Already did that!

I am the human knowledge sponge, more, more, more!!!

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What will I see??

Basics of Israel

290 miles North to South, 85 Miles across
4 climate zones - Mountains (Mt. Hermon), Coast (Mediterranean), Desert (Negev), Hill country (Jerusalem)

Why Israel and why this time in history?

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4 Climates

Lowest place on earth (Dead Sea)
Engineering masterpiece (Caesarea Maritima)
The place where more wars have been fought than anywhere else in world ( Tel Megiddo)

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What is a Tel?

Tel Aviv

Tel Megiddo

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What is a Tel?

A tel is a mound that consist of accumulated debris of a succession of consecutive settlements at the same site. Megiddo has 26 layers!!!

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How do we know these are actually the places??

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How do we know these are actually the places?

Archeology timeline – 300 yrs of hiding
Pottery and Coins
Ancient writings/historical accounts
Rather than becoming distracted by the question “Is this the exact spot?”, it is better to focus on what happened. The whole of the Holy Land is more permeated by the presence of God and the faith of holy people than any pilgrim can comprehend.

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Driving through hometown what do you feel when you see the sites?

I drive through my hometown and talked to Austin and told him stories about my friend Rusty. Do you think it would mean more if he knew Rusty and his personality?

Could you describe what has happened in the last 5 years without talking about Trump and his personality? You could see how it would help your understanding if you knew the main characters better?

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