Discover Your Roots

In Jesus’ final days, nearly every step happened within sight of the Temple Mount. From the Mount of Olives—where He entered Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna”—to the Garden of Gethsemane—where He prayed in agony and surrendered to the Father’s will—to Golgotha—where He was crucified and the temple curtain tore in two.In this episode of Discover Your Roots, Avery Chenault is joined by Dr. Eric Turner to trace the geography of Holy Week and uncover why these locations matter. As Passover lambs were being sacrificed at the temple, Jesus—the true Passover Lamb—moved toward the cross as the final sacrifice, fulfilling prophecy and reshaping what “sacred space” truly means.📖 Scripture: Matthew 21:1–11; Matthew 26:36–46; Matthew 27:32–54

What happened when Jesus cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem—and why does it still matter today? In this episode of Discover Your Roots, we explore the Temple Mount, the center of Jewish worship during Jesus’ life. From overturned tables to Jesus’ declaration that God’s house should be a house of prayer for all nations, this powerful moment reveals God’s heart for true worship. Host Avery Chenault is joined by Michael McAfee to uncover the history, geography, and spiritual significance of the Temple. From Mount Moriah and the Courts of the Gentiles to the Southern Steps and Pentecost, this episode shows how the Temple shaped Jesus’ ministry and points directly to His sacrifice. Recommended Resources: Holy Land Illustrated Bible: https://www.christianbook.com/csb-holy-land-illustrated-bible-hardcover/9781535997928/pd/997928?en=google&event=SHOP&kw=bibles-20-40%7C997928&p=1179710&utm_source=google&p=1234073&dv=c&cb_src=google&cb_typ=shopping&cb_cmp=20704420694&cb_adg=150161845570&cb_kyw=&utm_medium=shopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20704420694&gbraid=0AAAAAD_dTHakhXzJkbspWCx_WpYik6hWY&gclid=CjwKCAiAv5bMBhAIEiwAqP9GuNhdu6pZgvIreLSfEMi1aXLNsHSHdBLyk9EI9HSrtqJjxyVamwa01xoCM4sQAvD_BwE Bible Map App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible-map/id1100364686

At Caesarea Philippi—a city filled with temples, idols, and imperial power—Jesus asked His disciples the most important question of all: “Who do you say that I am?” In this episode of Discover Your Roots, Avery Chenault is joined by pastor and professor Bobby Moss to explore how this striking setting deepens Peter’s confession and the foundation of the Church.Set near the headwaters of the Jordan River and long associated with pagan worship and the “gates of hell,” Caesarea Philippi provides powerful context for Jesus’ declaration that nothing would prevail against His Church.

Step onto the Sea of Galilee—the setting of one of the most dramatic moments in Jesus’ ministry. In this episode of Discover Your Roots, Avery Chenault is joined by biblical scholar and pastor Jared Ulrich to explore the story of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4:35–41.Why were storms on the Sea of Galilee so sudden and dangerous? What made this lake uniquely prone to violent winds and waves? And how would Jesus’ command—“Peace, be still”—have sounded to first-century Jewish ears who believed only God had authority over the sea?Together, Avery and Jared unpack the geography, history, and culture of Galilee, from ancient fishing boats and trade routes to the deep symbolic meaning of water and chaos in Scripture. As the disciples move from fear of the storm to awe of the One who calms it, this episode invites us to see how understanding the physical world of the Bible transforms a familiar story into a powerful revelation of who Jesus truly is.

What happened when Jesus preached His first sermon in Nazareth? Why did His hometown try to throw Him off a cliff? In this episode of Discover Your Roots, we explore Luke 4:16–30 from the breathtaking overlook of Mount Precipice.Join host Avery Chenault and New Testament scholar Dr. Eric Turner as they stand above the Jezreel Valley to unpack one of the most dramatic moments in the Gospels. From Jesus reading Isaiah in the synagogue to the sudden shift from amazement to rage, this episode reveals how geography, culture, and biblical context deepen our understanding of Scripture.Overlooking Mount Tabor, Mount Carmel, and Megiddo, Mount Precipice helps us see why Jesus’ words challenged expectations of the Messiah—and why His message of good news for all people sparked rejection.

What happens when a divided people are forced to choose—and heaven responds with fire? In this episode of Discover Your Roots, host Avery Chenault journeys to Mount Carmel, the dramatic ridge where the prophet Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal and called down fire from heaven. Joined by biblical scholar Dr. Luke Bray, this episode brings the geography, history, and spiritual weight of 1 Kings 18 vividly to life. You’ll explore why Mount Carmel was the perfect stage for this confrontation, how Israel’s spiritual compromise set the scene for Elijah’s bold challenge, and what it meant when God answered—not with words, but with consuming fire. From the meaning of Carmel as “God’s garden mountain” to the showdown that exposed false gods and turned hearts back to the Lord, this story is far more than a dramatic moment—it’s a call to faith without divided loyalty. This is Scripture set in its original landscape, a story of fire, repentance, and renewal—still speaking powerfully to us today. Recommended Resources: The IVP Bible Background Commentary by Craig S. Keener The Sacred Bridge: Carta's Atlas of the Biblical World The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Michael S. Heiser The Way of the Sea by Dr. Luke Bray (coming soon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBN5ZVVG?ccs_id=0e311a9b-6598-4020-8138-efa22b117266)

Step into the cool, dark waters beneath Jerusalem and discover how one hidden spring ties together two incredible Bible stories—700 years apart.What connects an ancient water tunnel carved to protect Jerusalem from invasion and a blind man who received sight from Jesus? In this episode of Discover Your Roots, host Avery Chenault is joined by biblical scholar and worship leader Jared Ulrich to trace the flow from the Gihon Spring, through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, all the way to the Pool of Siloam.You’ll hear how King Hezekiah’s bold (and brilliant) engineering became a lifeline during the Assyrian siege, why the Pool of Siloam was a sacred stopping point for worshippers in Jesus’ day, and how Jesus’ healing of the blind man in John 9 reveals a faith that doesn’t stay passive—it moves.This is archaeology, Scripture, and spiritual insight woven into one powerful journey of God’s provision and power… still speaking today.

Step into the wilderness of En Gedi—a breathtaking oasis in the Judean Desert where David once hid from King Saul. In this episode of Discover Your Roots, Avery Chenault is joined by pastor and professor Bobby Moss to explore how this unique landscape of caves, waterfalls, and wild goats brings fresh depth to 1 Samuel 24 and the words of Psalm 23.Why did David run to En Gedi? What does this place reveal about refuge, renewal, and mercy in the middle of fear? And how might understanding the geography of the Bible help Scripture come alive in 3D? Together, Avery and Bobby unpack En Gedi’s story, its meaning as “the spring of the wild goat,” and the powerful connection between David’s real-life experiences and the imagery of green pastures, still waters, and shadowed valleys.

Step into Shiloh — Israel’s first national worship center and the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant.In this episode, we discuss the significance of Shiloh, where the 12 tribes of Israel were split up and where the tabernacle rested. Join Avery and our guest, Dr. Luke Bray, as they unpack Shiloh’s geography, its role in Israelite history, and the important lessons Christians can learn today. From the troubling story of the daughters of Shiloh to the capture of the Ark by the Philistines, discover how God’s presence in contested spaces reveals His sovereignty.Dr. Bray is a biblical scholar, author, and educator with a Ph.D. in World Religions, a former pastor, and U.S. Army veteran. He helps believers connect with the biblical story in its original context.Learn more about Passages: www.passagesisrael.org

In this episode, we discuss two Biblical water crossings, crossing the Red Sea and the Jordan River, and the significance of these bodies of water in ancient times, and the connections between these two stories and the coming of Jesus.Our guest for this episode is Dr. Luke Bray. Dr. Bray is a biblical scholar, author, and educator with a Ph.D. in World Religions. A former pastor and U.S. Army veteran, he has dedicated his work to helping believers connect with the biblical story in its original context.Interested in learning more about Passages? Visit us at www.passagesisrael.org or follow us on Instagram @passagesisrael.