FAQ
01
Calendar & Schedule
02
Student Life
03
Academic Life
04
Finances
When does the school year begin and end?
For the 2020-2021 school year, Move-In Weekend will be August 14th-16th and GCBI will begin Orientation on August 17th. The students’ graduation ceremony is normally held on the first Sunday of May.
When are the holiday breaks?
There are a number of breaks during the course of the year: Thanksgiving Break runs from November 21st-December 1st, Christmas Break from December 14th-January 5th, and Spring Break will be from March 12th-22nd. Students are welcome to travel home or stay at the campus over breaks (if they stay they are expected to provide groceries for themselves).
When are classes held?
Classes are held on:
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 8:30am-12:30pm
What is a typical Israel itinerary?
Day 1: Depart from east coast (USA) gateway.
Day 2: Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Transfer to hotel via Jaffa. Arrive at our hotel in Tel Aviv in time to enjoy the Mediterranean beach and a swim before dinner. (1 night)
Day 3: Four Conflicts during Jesus’ Ministry: Caesarea Maritima, Mt. Carmel, Tzippori, Nazareth (cave homes); overnight at a kibbutz on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. (3 nights)
Day 4: Characteristics of the Disciples: Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, Ancient boat video (at Nof Ginosar), Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Chorazin, climb Arbel (cliffs that overlook the Gospel Triangle)
Day 5: Rabbinic Style and Private Teachings of the Disciples: Gamla overlook, Katzrin (reconstructed Talmudic village; also Achnai’s Oven video), Quneitra overlook into Syria, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan (hike through the beautiful nature reserve with its rushing waters flowing out of Mt. Hermon; see the representative altar of Jeroboam; overlook into Lebanon; and then see the nearby Abrahamic mud-brick gate)
Day 6: Perean Ministry: Jordan Valley (Perean Ministry discussion), Bet Shean (magnificent Roman excavations), Jezreel Valley, highway south to the Negev, arrive bedouin camp by late afternoon … camel trek, bedouin hospitality, bedouin meal, desert tent accommodations with modern facilities (1 night)
Day 7: Wilderness Places: Massada (walk up the stairs next to the Roman Ramp; descend by cable car), hike to Ein Gedi waterfall, Qumran, swim in the Dead Sea, Jericho tel, up to Jerusalem (5+ nights)
Day 8: Messianic Expectations: Mt. of Olives, Gethsemane, Galicantu (House of Caiaphas), Upper Room, walk through the Jewish Quarter (eat lunch in one of the many food options), South Wall excavations (Davidson Center), including the South Wall steps & the Hallel psalms.
Day 9: Hebrew Backgrounds and the Shephelah: Yad Vashen, Sorek Valley (Sampson), Azekah & Elah Valley (David & Goliath), Bet Guvrin (Bell caves), Lachish (Assyrian & Babylonian invasions)
Day 10: Setting of the Birth of Jesus … and Psalm 125:2: Bethlehem, Shepherds fields, Herodion, Haas Promenade
Day 11: Free day
Day 12: Journey to Calvary: Temple Mount, Bethesda, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre, Garden Tomb, (keep hotel rooms until dinner) … night flight
Day 13: Arrive home late in the morning.
Am I allowed to work?
Yes. We all know that bills still need to get paid. While we don’t allow students to hold full-time jobs, we’ve incorporated about 15-20 hours into the program weekly for students to work. We are excited about the opportunities that the students will have to build relationships within their working environments. Students will be encouraged to use their jobs as real life ministry experiences. Ministry happens everywhere and working environments are as real as it gets. There will be specific guidelines and expectations for choosing a part-time job, so that students are able to earn necessary finances without a detrimental effect on their participation in the program.
What about dating?
This program is a rather intense one. We want your focus to be on learning the word of God, serving others and being discipled in order to disciple others. We hope that you are able to enjoy the year without the pressure of romantic entanglements. However, we realize relationships are a part of life and are allowed as long as they do not become a distraction from the program or alienate those involved from their team. We ask that if you start to have an interest in a member of the opposite sex that you would let a member of the leadership team know in order that they could come alongside and disciple you.
Where am I going to live?
We have spent the last number of years renovating a camp property in Avon Park, FL. Students will share cabins that are their dorm rooms with 1-3 others. The campus is designated with both male and female cabin sections and each is adjacent to their respective bathhouses.
What is the Bible Experience?
As part of our orientation process, the students and site coordinators read through the Bible in 8-10 days. I know, I know! “What? Read the entire Bible in ten days?!” Our goal in this project is two-fold: first, we want every student to get a sense of the big picture of God’s story; second, we want to create an opportunity for students to dive right in and work together to accomplish a rather large goal. We read through the Bible chronologically, following a strict daily reading schedule. Students and ministry directors read aloud, taking turns and sharing the “burden”. The reading schedule provides for many stretch breaks, meal times, and intentional family time as well! Many students come into the program having the standard Bible stories under their belts, but have never experienced the full story of God in this way. We want to create a unique and challenging experience for our students, to get whet their appetites for the intense study of God’s Word that is to come.
Do I earn college credit at GCBI?
To learn more about earning college credits {click here}.
How does graduation work?
After the students have successfully completed their fall and spring semesters, they will be given a certificate for completing GCBI. The local church with which we partner will hold a commencement ceremony in place of a Sunday night service. Family members are encouraged to attend, along with the church body.
Why is there only one textbook?
How much does GCBI cost?
Tuition is free! Basic living costs are all that are required to attend GCBI. We have worked that out to be $8,050 for the year ($8,050 if paid in full before the start of the program or in 2 installments; one at the beginning of each semester), which includes a $400 deposit upon admission. This accounts for room and board, a substantial meal plan, gas and insurance for our school van, as well as any domestic ministry-related travels for the year. This fee is payable to the Great Commission Bible Institute. We are committed to working closely with each student to develop a payment plan that is suitable to his/her individual needs, thus we have created month-to-month payment plans in both 12- and 24-month agreements.