Drive Thru History: The Gospels

We open in Jerusalem and discuss the impact of Jesus over the last 2,000 years. Explore the set-up for the arrival of Jesus in the context of Jewish and Roman history.

We visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and take a look at the accounts of Jesus' birth. We examine the birthplace of Jesus and the accounts of shepherds in the fields nearby. We explore the journey of the "Wise Men" from the East, known as Magi, and the Star of Bethlehem that summoned them. We investigate the date for Jesus' birth and the importance of Christmas traditions throughout the centuries.

We delve into the world of Herod the Great at the time of Jesus' birth. We examine the "slaughter of the innocents" in Judea. We visit a number of awesome archaeological sites in Israel built by Herod, including the massive Herodium about seven miles south of Jerusalem. We learn about the escape of Joseph, Mary and Jesus to Egypt until Herod's death. We travel to Jesus' hometown of Nazareth where he later grew up.

We start with the world of Jesus' youth after the death of Herod the Great. We delve into the Roman occupation and its impact on the Jewish people. We learn about John the Baptizer and his ministry of repentance in the wilderness. We experience the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River and his testing in the Judean desert shortly thereafter.

Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to his hometown of Nazareth, where his own people ultimately rejected him. We travel with Jesus to the Sea of Galilee, where he later settled in Capernaum. We explore the ruins of the synagogue and the house of Peter at Capernaum, and we walk the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called fishermen to be his first disciples.

Visit Chorazin another location in Jesus' ministry and examine Cana the sight of Jesus' first miracle.

Travel to Samaria and learn about the history of the Samaritans and of the woman at the well.

We visit the hillsides of Galilee and hear Jesus deliver the Sermon on the Mount. We walk the Mount of the Beatitudes and explore many of Jesus' radically new teachings. We learn about salted fish at Magdala and Roman roads at Hippos. We delve into Jesus' use of parables, including many of the most famous delivered by Jesus during his ministry.

Jesus chose twelve apostles from his group of followers. Spend time on the Sea of Galilee and see Jesus calm the waves as he traveled the ancient harbors.

Travel to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus started to wrap-up his public ministry. Also, witness a mountaintop miracle known as the Transfiguration.

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus spent time with children and confronted a rich young ruler. Visit Bethany and experience the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus visited Jericho on his final approach to Jerusalem. Experience the accounts of Bartimaeus, the blind beggar, and Zacchaeus, the tax collector.

Experience the Last Supper between Jesus and his closest followers.

See the the events that lea up to the trial of Jesus. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Jewish authorities.

Experience the horrible torture of Jesus and his agonizing execution just outside the walls of Jerusalem and examine the nature of crucifixion and the importance of Jesus’ death.

Share in the excitement of an empty tomb three days after Jesus’ death, visiting Jerusalem to investigate the accounts of the Resurrection. Explore the Jewish and Roman responses to such a miraculous event.

We finish with the four faces of the Gospels, the different biographical perspectives on the life of Jesus. We reexamine the Messianic prophecies and visit Qumran in the context of the Dead Sea Scrolls. What is the legacy of Jesus’ followers? What is the summary of the “Good News” of the Gospel accounts? Dave gets personal and ties it all together.