This two-week program offers a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the Gospel of Mark in the land of Jesus and its people. You will be based in Jerusalem, at the Centre for Biblical Formation, Ecce Homo Convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion, in the heart of the Old City. Excursions to places associated with Jesus during his ministry in Jerusalem and Galilee, and visits to other important biblically-related sites will complement this unique opportunity for gospel study.

Tour details

Dates

Jerusalem, September – October 2021 (Date to be confirmed)

Unit

THBS600 Bible Lands Study Tour

What you can expect

Complementing this singular opportunity for a thorough study of Mark’s gospel will be:

  • Excursions to places associated with Jesus during his ministry in Jerusalem, including the church of the Holy Sepulchre —the site of his death and resurrection — Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, the Western Wall, and Mount Sion.
  • A three-day tour in Galilee.
  • Visits to other important sites (for example, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Qumran, Sepphoris, and Tel Dan).

Tour facilitator

Rev Dr Michael Trainor has travelled extensively around the Middle East for over thirty years and has taught in Jerusalem several times. He leads regular tours into Israel and is a well-respected scripture scholar and author.

Study tour highlights

  • Living and immersing yourself in the old city of Jerusalem.
  • Visiting sites associated with Jesus, in Galilee and Jerusalem.
  • Spending time around the Sea of Galilee and visiting towns that Jesus visited.
  • Visiting and understanding the importance of sites like Qumran, Sepphoris, Tel Dan and Nazareth and their contribution to gospel study.
  • A study of Mark’s gospel within the very setting envisaged by the evangelist.

Topics covered will include:

  • a study of the gospel of Mark, its themes, narrative structure and Christology
  • the culture and history of Israel and present-day Jerusalem
  • the archaeology of ancient sites and how this contributes to our understanding of the gospel
  • the geo-political, socio-historical and cultural roots of Judaism and Christianity faith communities in the Middle East and Israel.

 

Expressions of interest are now open

Register here

Eligibility

This study tour is available to ACU postgraduate students enrolled in the following programs:

  • Master of Theological Studies
  • Master of Professional Studies in Theology

Students in other ACU postgraduate programs

Students enrolled in other ACU programs may be eligible to take this study tour for course credit. Please consult your course rules or course coordinator.

Undergraduate students

Undergraduate students are welcome to participate, subject to consultation and approval from their relevant course coordinator.

Cross-institutional students and audit participation

Interested students from other institutions may be eligible to participate, and there are also places available for members of the public who wish to participate in the unit in an audit capacity. Please contact us if you are interested in taking part as a cross-institutional student or as an audit participant.

Arrangements

Meals, accommodation and travel around Israel will be organised. Students will need to arrange for their own flights to Israel (to Tel Aviv).

Accommodation and classes 

During your time in Jerusalem, your accommodation and classes will be based at the Centre for Biblical Formation, Ecce Homo Convent, Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem, facilitated by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion.

The sisters’ statement of conviction for the Centre reads, “Conscious that Jesus was Jewish and that Christianity derives its origins from Judaism, the work of the Centre is an integral part of our commitment as a community, to promote a threefold encounter for those who come to Ecce Homo—the essential encounter being with Jesus the Jew and the God whom Jesus reveals”.

Financial support

ACU students may be eligible for financial assistance to support the cost of travel and incidentals. Read more about available financial support on the ACU student portal (please note, you will need an ACU student login to access this information).

 

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