1. Location, Location, Location:
Places Shape the Message

2. Session Six > Cities
Do you have a “city” memory (or memories)?
Whether “happy” or “horrible” consider your experience…
How do you sense God was (or was not) present?
If you sensed God was present, who did you understand God to be?

3. Session Six > Where are the Cities?
Cities meet the basic needs of the people.
First stage development:
On a hill – fortress for protection
Near a river/wadi for water source
In the midst of agricultural economy
Alongside trade route
Second stage of development:
Growth of trade and exchange
Mix of cultural groups
Focal point for religious activities
Increase of crafts and industry
Seat of government or authority
Expansion roads & thoroughfares

4. Session Six > Be thinking…
What characteristics about a city makes it a fitting place for God to be at work?
In what ways is the city a metaphor for how God is at work in our lives today?
What has been the work of God in the city? What’s God doing in the city?

5. Cities of Palestine By 1400 BCE Chief Phoenician cities on Coast
most cities established that are in Hebrew history
almost as densely populated as in days of Hebrews
Chief Phoenician cities on Coast
Arvad in north; Byblos and Beirut in central Syria; Sidon, Tyre, Accho in south
Coast plains south Mt Carmel (Phoenicians or Canaanites)
Dor, Gezer, Ashdod, Altaku, Askalon, Gath, Gaza
Cities later captured by Hebrews
Galilee: Kadesh, Hanathon
S. Palestine: Shechem, Bethel, Beth-horon, Ajalon, Jerusalem, Beth-anoth
Plain of Esdraelon (center strong Canaanite confederacy)
Megiddo, Taanach, Shunem, Bethshean and others not yet identified

6. Old Testament
CITIES
New Testament

7. Jericho Founded around 8000 BCE
In the plain surrounded by a ring of hills
Israelites camping across on plains of Moab
Numbers 22:1-3
Spies to Rahab
Joshua 2:1-7
Crossing the Jordan to Jericho: Joshua 3 & 4
Battle of Jericho: Joshua 6
Rebuilt many times: 1 Kings 16:34
Elijah departs, Elisha steps up: 2 Kings 2

8. Jericho and Jesus On the way to Jerusalem by way of Jericho
Matthew 20: 29-34
Healing Blind Man
Luke 18:35-43
Zacchaeus
Luke 19:1-10
In the “faith” chapter – review of falling walls
Hebrews 11:30