I’ll be honest. I have never recovered from my travels to the Holy Land.
As many times as I’ve been to Israel, every trip impacts me. There’s a reason.
(Photo: Our tour group on the Southern Steps of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem)
After Cathy and I took our first tour to the Holy Land, the truth hit home harder than it ever had: my faith is rooted in events that occurred in real places.
My experience isn’t unique. The following video shows people whose lives have changed as a result of a tour to the Holy Land.
Watch for Yourself
These testimonials illustrate the value of experiencing the Holy Land—not only from a knowledge-based perspective, but also from the value it offers one’s spiritual life.
Why a Tour to the Holy Land is So Valuable
Understanding the Bible in context means more than knowing the words on a page. Context includes the places where biblical events took place. In other words, the more a person understands the land of the Bible, the more one understands the Bible itself.
I have done a lot of study about the benefits of experiencing the land of the Bible. Here’s what I discovered.
Those who experience the Holy Land enjoy:
- Sharper comprehension of the Bible
- Clearer direction to its application
- More effective communication of truth
- Greater confidence in the Word of God
- More vibrant spiritual life
Don’t get me wrong. Personal experience is not the basis of faith, but experience adds a dimension of authenticity and confidence to our faith.
Consider a Tour to the Holy Land
A trip to the Holy Land provides another layer of understanding to Bible study. It reveals that what you’ve read about all your life really exists.
Here are two bits of advice:
- Don’t be put off by the cost. My wife and I saved for nine years before we took our first trip. Just start saving and praying for God to provide. (My seminary professor once told me that buying a house and traveling to Israel are the only two reasons he could justify borrowing!)
- Be sure to travel with a tour company that connects the Bible and its lands to life. I invite you to come with me, as this is a MAJOR priority on our tours.
You can read much of my passion for the Holy Land in my devotional books and you can see it in more than 250 videos I’ve produced in all the Bible lands.
Walking the land of Israel has provided me with a deeper appreciation of God as Lord of world history and of seemingly minor details—both of which bring comfort to my life.
I am confident it can do the same for you.
Tell me what you think: Have you ever considered a trip to Israel? If you have taken a journey to the Holy Land, how did it affect you? To leave a comment, just click here.