Reading Resources for a Trip to the Holy Land

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It’s my pleasure to provide you with a list of recommended non-fiction and fiction books to prepare you spiritually for a trip to the Holy Land. Your spiritual preparation prior to arrival in the Holy Land will help you make rich, meaningful connections during your pilgrimage.

Choose the book that best suits your interest and needs. Please leave a comment to recommend a book that was especially helpful to you. – Lisa <><

Best Overall Book

My favorite reading resource is Jesus, A Pilgrimage by James Martin, SJ. It’s an engaging and inspiring read- part travelogue, part memoir, and part buddy road trip through the Holy Land.

This book contains some of the most meaningful, rich Biblical reflections I’ve ever read. Beautifully researched, theologically profound, yet approachable.

Don’t let the 500+ pages intimidate you. It’s also available on Kindle and as an audiobook read by Father Martin himself.

Bonus: It was fírst published in 2014, so it’s easy to fínd a gently used copy.

Additional book recommendations

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith by Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg provides helpful cultural background on the Holy Land in the time of Christ.

In the Steps of Jesus: Second Edition by Peter Walker provides great information from a seasoned explorer of Biblical sites. The book includes archeological and historical insights, helpful maps, and timelines.

Never underestimate how helpful exploring Bible maps can be when preparing for a trip to the Holy Land. Deluxe Then and Now Bible Maps from Rose Publishing provides maps from various Biblical eras on the left side with a modern overlay on the right. This resource also includes helpful timelines, charts, and graphics.

Curriculum recommendations

These wonderful resources by Adam Hamilton not only provide you terrific reading and audio resources but also terrific video resources shot on location in the Holy Land.

The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem focuses on Nazareth, Bethlehem, and Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist.

The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus focuses on the Jordan River, the Judean Wilderness, Capernaum, the mountains of Galilee, the Sea of Galilee, Samaria, and Jerusalem.

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Reading Resources for a Trip to the Holy Land © 2023 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia. Leave a comment for information and permission to republish this work in a book, blog, etc.

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