Day 13. Samaria: Mt Gerazim and Mt Ebal (see Deut. 28-30). Ancient Shechem. The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). Samaria. …
Blog
Day 12
Day 12. Dead Sea Day: Masada, Wadi Arugut at En Gedi, Qumran, and Swimming in the Dead Sea! …
Day 11
Day 11. Farthest south of our trip! We were actually close to Egypt. We ended in the land of the Nabateans! …
Day 10
Day 10. Went south into the lowlands (Shephelah) just east of the Philistine controlled coastal plain. We ended up just one mile from the Gaza Strip before heading into the Negev to our hostel tonight in Arad, Israel! …
Day 8
Day 8. Benjamin Field Study. The region of the tribe of Benjamin was a strategic east to west passage across Israel. We looked at it today from Jericho (east) to Gezer (west). My favorites were the Judean wilderness (where Jesus would have been tempted in Matthew 4) and the shephelah (lowlands) …
Day 7
Day 7. Mount of Olives. Garden of Gethsemane. The Herodium. Bethlehem. Our first day leaving Jerusalem on the bus and looking at the different approaches to Jerusalem. …
Day 6
Day 6. Free day. Pics in order from beginning to end. Visited Machaneh Yehudah Market. In the afternoon we went to the garden tomb. This evening is Shabbat (Sabbath). Many Orthodox Jews head toward the west wall for synagogue. Walked 9 1/2 miles. …
Day 5
Day 5. Started the morning out with an Israeli bomb squad making our group leave the area we were in because of a threatening backpack left behind by someone. Joined in with a bar mitzvah celebration. Saw steps where Jesus could have walked when entering the temple and a place where money …
Day 4
Day 4. Old Testament walk this morning. Walked c. 1/3 mile in the tunnel Hezekiah built to bring water inside Jerusalem’s wall. Saw the excavated ruins of David’s palace and an original corner of Nehemiah’s wall. Attended a lecture this afternoon. Went to the west wall of the Temple Mount this …
Day 3
Day 3. 4 hour lecture this morning. Six mile walk this afternoon looking at: the 4 quarters of Jerusalem, the topography of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem’s walls! …
Day 2
Day 2: 4 hour delay in Boston. Finally arrived! Checked into our hotel. Enjoyed supper with 11 other people. Went for an evening stroll! …
Day 1
Day 1: Enroute to Israel. On 10.31.2020 Barb and I celebrated 25 years of ministry at Faith Bible Church. To help us celebrate, the church is sending Barb and me to Israel to study for 3 1/2 weeks! Thank you Faith Bible Church! You all are so good to us! My plan is to do a daily post so you can all …
Bentons’ Israel and Jordan Trip
To commemorate Pastor Steve’s 25th Anniversary of service to Faith Bible Church, the church gifted Barbara and him with a trip to Israel and Jordan. After delays due to Covid, they are finally getting to go! They will be gone June 12—July 6. This is their first opportunity to visit and tour this …
Session 12, Devo 3: Your Story is Unique
Day 3 | Your Story Is UniqueYour story is unique and makes you who you are today. It’s okay to be honestabout your story, your hurts, and your pain. In your story and in confession, youcan find healing through Jesus Christ.ENGAGE:As you reflect back on this series, think about one of the most …
Session 12, Devo 2: How do You Live with Sexual Integrity?
Day 2 | How Do You Live With Sexual Integrity?How do you live with sexual integrity? First, go to God. The Holy Spirit wants toguide you and help you. Second, find a trusted mentor who you can trust andspeak honestly to. Third, cultivate real relationships and godly friends. Fourth, beintentional …
Session 12, Devo 1: What does Sexual Integrity Mean?
Day 1 | What Does Sexual Integrity Mean?Sexual integrity means living a faithful and flourishing life as a sexual beingaccording to how God has designed us. It starts by following Jesus. He wants us tolive in submission to him and live according to his will.ENGAGE:What is a way you can work on …
Session 11, Devo 3: Let’s Seek God’s Truth
Day 3 | Let’s Seek God’s TruthCulture tells us we can do whatever we want as long as it’s “safe.” But we must beaware of the lies the enemy tells us, recognizing that he will use partial truth mixedwith blatant lies. God our Creator is the only one who really knows what’s best forus.ENGAGE:What is a …
Session 11, Devo 2: Honor and Respect Other Image Bearers of Christ
Day 2 | Honor And Respect Other Image Bearers Of ChristThe consequences of sexting could potentially affect your life many years down the road—once something is sent on a smart device, it can be out in the world for years. We must honor and respect one another, and sending inappropriate images …
Session 11, Devo 1: What Does Culture Say?
Day 1 | What Does Culture Say?Our culture will continue to shift as time goes on, and views on sexual integritymay drift further and further from God’s intent. As technology develops, peoplewill explore new ways to satisfy their sexual desires. It is important to prepareourselves to resist sexual …
Session 10, Devo 3: Friendships are Essential to Human Flourishing
Day 3 | Friendships Are Essential To Human FlourishingMeaningful friendships are essential to human flourishing. Romantic relationshipsshould not be a substitute for healthy, meaningful, Christ-centered friendships.Good friends are faithful, they are intentional, and they won’t flake out if …