Explore the History, Archaeology, and Geography of the Land of the Bible with Polishing the Pulpit

Traveling with Polishing the Pulpit

John and Carla Moore | Expedition Guides

The Bible Lands Studies Program is organized through Bible Land Passages, a ministry of John and Carla Moore. John has been actively involved in ministry and Christian education since 1987 and is currently an instructor at Bear Valley Bible Institute International where he teaches a variety of textual classes along with a course on Bible land geography and archaeology. Having studied at Jerusalem University College, worked in archeological digs, and traveled widely in Israel and Jordan, John offers a unique perspective on the relationship between the Land of Israel and the Biblical Text. Carla serves as Dean of Women at Bear Valley Bible Institute and frequently lectures to women’s groups and preachers’ wives at schools of preaching. She is also a co-host of the weekly podcast “Looking Up! with Kathy and Carla.” John and Carla are also the founders and film directors of the Bible Land Passages documentaries series and Connection videos available on several media platforms.

Allen Webster | PTP Director

Allen Webster loves preaching the gospel, teaching students the Bible, planning church events, and writing for the Lord. He teaches in the Memphis School of Preaching and the Georgia School of Preaching. He is editor of House to House/Heart to Heart, writes for the Spiritual Sword, and has published many tracts and a few Bible Courses and books. He is a director of the Polishing the Pulpit Conference. When not teaching, he is on the road doing gospel meetings, “Reigniting the Fire” seminars, “The Bible’s Big Picture” weekends, and lectures/series.

Luke Griffin | PTP Director

Sample Itinerary

Day 1

Travel Day

Day 2

Travel by luxury coach through the territories of Judah and Simeon. Stop at a scenic overlook to observe the environs of the Dead Sea. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the beautiful David Dead Sea Hotel and settle in for a good night’s sleep at the lowest place on earth. Overnight at the Dead Sea. (Dinner Provided)

Day 3

Watch the sun rise over the mountains of Moab, eat breakfast at our resort hotel, and then travel by gondola up the steep mountain cliff of Masada. One of Israel’s most important national monuments and a world heritage site, Masada is the traditional site of King David’s stronghold, and what would later become the site for an amazing fortress palace built by King Herod. From here we will enjoy marvelous vistas of the Dead Sea and Judean desert before we make our way by bus to a beautiful oasis in the desert and the site nearby where, in a cave, David cut the corner of King Saul’s garment. An optional hike up to the beautiful waterfall and living waters of the desert are rewarded by a refreshing walk in the cool waters of Ein Gedi. As time allows, we will visit the ruins of an old Byzantine church to see the beautiful Mosaic floors and consider the meaning and message of its designs and artwork. An early arrival at the Hotel will offer an opportunity to float in the Dead Sea and observe the rugged and rocky terrain of the desert. Overnight at the Dead Sea. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided)

Day 4

Leaving the Dead Sea, our next destination will be Khirbet Qumran, the site where the most important discovery of the 20th century was made: the Dead Sea Scrolls. Here we will walk among the ruins of the Essene community and discuss the preservation and transmission of the ancient text. Then it’s on to Jericho, the oldest city in the world. From here we will travel north to Beit She’an National Park (Scythopolis) and see the Egyptian, Israelite, Roman, and Byzantine ruins of one of the Decapolis cities of the New Testament era. From the top of Beth She’an we can look out over the Harod Valley, see the mountains of Trans-Jordan, and gaze upon on Mount Gilboa where King Saul met his death. From here we will travel to the Sea of Galilee where we will lodge in the heartland where Jesus worked during His Galilean ministry. Overnight near the Sea of Galilee. (Breakfast and Dinner provided)

Day 5

Awaken to the picturesque scenery surrounding the Sea of Galilee. Travel near the ancient site of Bethsaida on our way to biblical Hazor, the largest archaeological site in Israel. Situated at the entrance of the Huleh Valley, Hazor was important to the Egyptians, Canaanites, Syrians, and Israelites. From here we will travel north to Tel Dan where a powerful lesson will be learned at the remains of an altar built by Jeroboam, and where we will observe some of the sites of the most important archaeological discoveries in Northern Israel. Then it’s on to the ruins of Caesarea Philippi (Banias) where Jesus made the promise to establish His church. We will walk along the beautiful headwaters of the Jordan River and end our day in the Golan Heights where we will see Mount Hermon in the distance and the route taken by Paul to Damascus. Overnight at the Sea of Galilee. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided)

Day 6

Watch the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee. Engage in private prayer and personal reflection as you imagine Jesus walking on the water some 2000 years ago. After breakfast, begin the day at yet another impactful vista on Mt Arbel overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Visit the first century “Jesus Boat” museum at Ginosar and then take a scenic boat ride on the Sea of Galilee observing the environs and unique topography of its coast and surrounding mountains. Following lunch, we will visit a first century synagogue at Magdala, and then travel to Capernaum to walk among the ruins where Jesus made His home during His public ministry in the region of Galilee. Our day will end by traveling in the footsteps of Jesus on our way to Chorazin. Overnight at the Sea of Galilee. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided)

Day 7

After breakfast, travel near the base of Mount Tabor on our way to Mt. Precipice. Imagine seeing Jesus as a young boy looking out over this breathtaking vista. Contemplate the history and significance of the Jezreel valley below. Here we will orient ourselves to the many biblical places and sites to be visited and studied in the days that follow. From here will we travel to the Nazareth church of Christ for worship, and likewise to enjoy a period of fellowship and lunch with our brethren in Israel. After lunch, our next stop will be Tel Megiddo (near the battlefields of Armageddon), one of the oldest cities in the world, and where Solomon constructed one of his chariot cities. Then we will travel to Beit She’arim National Park for a beautiful view looking up to Mount Carmel, and as time permits visit the 2nd century Jewish Catacombs. Overnight at Hadera. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided.)

Day 8

Our first stop will be at the New Testament era city Caesarea Maritima, the capital of Judea under the Romans. Visit the excavations of this ancient city and see where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome. Next, we will travel along the ancient Via Maris and through the beautiful Sharon Plain. After lunch we will visit the hills and valleys of the Shephelah and walk in the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath. Here we will reenact that epic battle scene in our imaginations as we read from I Samuel 17. Then it’s on to Jerusalem, passing the biblical towns of Beth-Shemesh, Zorah, and Emmaus. Overnight in Jerusalem. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided)

Day 9

Our day will be begin with a journey to the burial site of King Herod and see the ruins of the Herodium, an ancient palace fortress complete with the remains of a synagogue and its elaborate tunnel system. From this location, we will see the Shepherd’s fields near Bethlehem and recount the birth of King Jesus. From here, it’s back to Jerusalem to visit the Citadel, the likely place for the trial of Jesus. After lunch, we will visit what many believe to be the remains of King David’s palace, see evidence of the Babylonian destruction, walk through Hezekiah’s tunnel, and see the Pool of Siloam. Overnight in Jerusalem. An optional guided evening visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Western Wall will also be available after an early dinner. Overnight in Jerusalem. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided)

Day 10

Our day unfolds with a breathtaking view of the Old City of Jerusalem, including Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock, from atop the Mount of Olives. We will walk down to the Garden of Gethsemane and see the ancient olive trees. Here we will read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and arrest, and take time for personal reflection. We will enter the Old City walls through the Lion’s Gate and move on to the Pool of Bethesda and raise our voices in song in St. Anne's Church. We then walk along the traditional site of the Via Dolorosa (The Way of Suffering), and then on to the Western Wall, the holiest site for Jews. Next, we walk among the Southern Wall Excavations of the Temple Mount and walk on stones that were in place during the time of Christ. We will see ancient baptisteries, remains of first century buildings, and end the day with a devotional on the first century steps which lead up to the southern end of the Temple Mount. If time permits, we will visit the Western Wall tunnels. Overnight in Jerusalem. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided)

Day 11

This is a free day to travel as you choose. It will a great day for shopping, relaxation, or visiting other places in the city such as the Temple Mount, the traditional site for the Upper Room, David’s Tomb, Zedekiah’s Cave, The Damascus Gate Museum, Roman Guardhouse, and Oskar Schindler’s grave. Other great sites to visit would be the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Rampart Walk, the Temple Institute, the Wohl Museum, the Rockefeller Museum of Archaeology, and many other historically and culturally interesting and significant places. It will be a special day for individual adventure and exploration, or rest and relaxation. An optional excursion to the location of the long-ago tabernacle at Shiloh may be procured (price will vary depending on the number of participants). Overnight in Jerusalem. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided)

Day 12

Our final day will begin with a trip to Gallicantu, the site where it is believed that the Lord was imprisoned, and where Peter denied Jesus. Here we will also examine the topography and environs of ancient Jerusalem and sing a song inside a first century prison cell. Our journey will then take us to Yad Vashem (Jerusalem’s Holocaust Museum). After lunch our last stop will be at the Garden Tomb for a lesson about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Then we’re on our way to biblical Kiriath Jearim for a final devotional and view of the Judean Hill Country, and then to Abu Ghosh for a special Arab feast and farewell dinner. From here you will travel by coach to Ben Gurion Airport. (Breakfast and Dinner Provided). Depart Tel Aviv late Friday night on United Flight 91 at 11:10 PM