The 7 Churches of Revelation

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Self-Paced Trip

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Teacher-Led Trips

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Aug 17 — Oct 12

[8 sessions over 9 weeks]

Trinity Lutheran Church

At events, participants will receive a workbook for notes and will have the option of viewing the video lessons in a VR headset (limited supply) or by wearing 3D glasses.

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Description

It is challenging to organize Revelation into a chronological structure because it appears to loop back on itself, telling us the same story from 3 different vantage points: personal, political, and cosmic. This series explores the personal: the 7 letters to specific churches in the Roman province of Asia. Travel to the seven churches that Jesus, through the visions of John, writes to in the book of Revelation.


8 lessons	9 locations	1hr 32m	40 documents	360° 3D	Secondary +

In this series, you will be transported to 9 locations in stunning 360-degree 3D video and audio. There you will meet experts to explore 8 lessons related to The 7 Churches of Revelation. That is over 1 hour of premium educational content!

Curriculum

Trip Materials

7 Churches Map	An empty map to mark locations of our destinations	PDF Document
Academic Research of the Bible	A brief survey of areas of biblical studies	PDF Document
Christ and the Caesars (Book)		Web Link
Codex Sinaiticus	A 4th-century manuscript that contains the Greek OT, NT, Epistle of Barnabas, and Shepherd of Hermas.	Web Link
Emperors & NT Books Timeline		PDF Document
Eschatology Handout	A brief survey of end times perspectives	PDF Document
Greek Paleography	An introduction to Greek writing from the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana	Web Link
How to Be Political, Not Partisan		PDF Document
The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts	A searchable gallery of digitized manuscripts showing our earliest copies of the New Testament and Apocrypha books.	Web Link
Upside Down Apocalypse (Book)		Web Link

Day 1

Intro to Revelation: An Email from Jesus

This immersive study will provide context to the rich imagery and symbolism present in Revelation.


1 location	13m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Ephesus

Lesson Materials

Apocalyptic: Decoding Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Message	Can Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance be seen as a modern-day apocalyptic masterpiece?	PDF Document
Exploring the Divine Drama	A framework for engaging with the context of God's Word	PDF Document
Introduction Study Guide		PDF Document
The Coins of Domitian		Web Link
Writing Exercise		PDF Document

Day 2

Ephesus

The church in Ephesus was praised for their steadfastness and commitment to the faith. Despite facing trials, they endured and did not give up on the truth.


1 location	13m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Ephesus

Lesson Materials

Ephesus Further Study		PDF Document
Ephesus Handout		PDF Document
Ephesus Study Guide		PDF Document
The Apotheosis of George Washington		PDF Document

Day 3

Smyrna

Jesus urged the believers in Smyrna to stay faithful, even when facing persecution and suffering.


1 location	14m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Smyrna

Lesson Materials

Smyrna Further Study		PDF Document
Smyrna Handout		PDF Document
Smyrna Study Guide		PDF Document

Day 4

Pergamum

The church in Pergamum struggled to stay faithful to Jesus while living in a culture that pressured them to compromise. This letter challenges us to examine our own lives, recognize areas where we may be compromising our faith, and respond by turning back to Jesus with unwavering commitment.


1 location	13m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Pergamon

Lesson Materials

Pergamum (BAR Article)	An article from Biblical Archaeology Review about Pergamum	PDF Document
Pergamum Further Study		PDF Document
Pergamum Handout		PDF Document
Pergamum Study Guide		PDF Document
The Lost Letters of Pergamum (Book)		Web Link

Day 5

Thyatira

Jesus commended the church in Thyatira for their love, service, and perseverance, recognizing their growth in doing what is right. Jesus’ concern wasn’t with those who remained steadfast despite hardships, but with those who compromised their faith to blend in with the culture. We are called to stand firm in Him.


1 location	10m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Thyatira

Lesson Materials

Thyatira Further Study		PDF Document
Thyatira Handout		PDF Document
Thyatira Study Guide		PDF Document

Day 6

Sardis

The church in Sardis relied on its past reputation but was spiritually dead. True faith is active and growing.


1 location	10m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Sardis

Lesson Materials

Sardis Further Study		PDF Document
Sardis Handout		PDF Document
Sardis Study Guide		PDF Document
The Coins of Domitian		Web Link

Day 7

Philadelphia

Faithfulness matters. The church in Philadelphia was praised for staying true to God’s Word, even in difficult times.


1 location	8m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Philadelphia

Lesson Materials

Philadelphia Further Study		PDF Document
Philadelphia Handout		PDF Document
Philadelphia Study Guide		PDF Document

Day 8

Laodicea

Jesus offers no praise to the church in Laodicea. They have grown complacent, relying on their own strength rather than depending on Jesus. Prayer is a vital reminder that our dependence must be on God, not ourselves.


2 locations	11m	360° 3D	Secondary +

Locations

In this lesson, you will visit: Laodicea, Hierapolis

Lesson Materials

Laodicea Further Study		PDF Document
Laodicea Handout		PDF Document
Laodicea Study Guide		PDF Document

Instructor

	Rev. Dennis and David Lassanske
	Dennis and David have a long history of traveling to the Middle East and studying at the feet of teachers, archaeologists, and academics. They have led several study trips to Israel with future plans for trips to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel.

Reviews

(Avg Rating: 4.6)

A Wonderful Opportunity

This was a wonderful opportunity for those who cannot or do not wish to travel to see these cities.

— Participant

Amazing!

The video presentations were amazing! It puts everything into perspective.

— Participant

Eye Opening

This really opens your eyes to the history and background of the Bible story being learned.

— Participant

Wow

It made me feel like I was there!

— Participant

Word Pictures

When we learned about the cities and then re-read Scripture, the word pictures took on an amazing new meaning and understanding!

— Participant

All ages	Content for these lessons were created for all ages.
Primary	Content for these lessons were created for children at a US-equivalent Kindergarten to 5th grade.
Secondary	Content for these lessons were created for study at a US-equivalent 6th to 12th grade.
Tertiary	Content for these lessons were created for study at a US-equivalent undergraduate program.
Advanced	Content for these lessons were created for study at a US-equivalent graduate program.

360° 3D	Video that complete surrounds the viewer in all directions. In addition, the video has depth so that objects look closer or farther away from the viewer.
180° 3D	Video that surrounds the viewer in the forward-facing direction. Behind the viewer is black. In addition, the video has depth so that objects look closer or farther away from the viewer.
360°	Video that complete surrounds the viewer in all directions.
180°	Video that surrounds the viewer in the forward-facing direction. Behind the viewer is black.
Standard	Video that is confined to aspect ratios and two dimensions. We include standard aspect videos for supplemental information.

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