Luke in the Land - Bible Study for Women with Video Access: Walking with Jesus in His First-Century World

by Kristi McLelland

In our Bibles, we have four Gospels describing Jesus’s time on Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Land—the place Jesus walked and taught during His earthly ministry—is often referred to as the fifth Gospel.   Through snapshots from the Gospel of Luke, join Kristi McLelland to explore the fifth Gospel together. Challenge the way you read the accounts of Jesus in video teaching sessions that take you to locations in Israel like Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, and the road to Emmaus. See how Jesus brought true hope to the world by following His footsteps in the Gospel of Luke.         

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2024

Reviews

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Life Group used this study, and it is amazing. Kristi and crew filmed the video portions in September of 2023, just two or three weeks before the events of October 7th. I was scheduled to leave that month for my own visit to Israel with Kristi as my group’s guide, so this study felt extra personal to me. It is rich and deep and filled with the cultural information that makes the Bible come even more alive. Highly recommended.

Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall 2024 bible study selection. Kristi is a wealth of knowledge; loved the videos as she walked us through the land where it all took place. Wonderful teacher!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique Bible study ties scripture to the land of Israel. Beautiful videos lead us through Jesus’ birth, life, and Ascension in the Holy Land.

[Amanda Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luke in the Land is a wonderfully enriching Bible study, and my whole small group felt the same way. Kristi McLelland has such a gift for helping us step away from our Western lens and view Scripture through a Middle Eastern one. That shift in perspective changes everything. It brings Jesus’ words and actions into fuller, deeper focus.

In the videos to this study Kristi is our guide, showing the actual places in the Holy Land where these stories took place. This helped the Gospel of Luke come alive in new ways for me. We saw how Jesus moved with compassion and purpose, especially toward women, the poor, the outcast, and the overlooked. Her teaching reminds us again and again that Jesus meets people in their pain, lifts them up, and restores their dignity. It’s powerful, humbling, and deeply moving.

What I love about all of Kristi’s studies, and this one in particular, is how she doesn’t just give you historical facts, she invites you into the story. She shows you the heart of God woven through every encounter and encourages you to respond with wonder, worship, and a fresh desire to follow Jesus more closely.

If you’re looking for a study that will deepen your faith, expand your understanding of Scripture, and stir up real conversation, Luke in the Land is it (as are all of her studies!) It’s not just a study of the Gospel, it’s a sacred journey with Jesus in His world, and it will stay with you long after the last page.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Our first group Bible study book for 2025, that I did in conjunction with my ladies Bible study group at church. We have done two other studies by Kristi McLelland (Jesus and Women and The Gospel on the Ground), so I knew what to expect. While I enjoyed the study overall, I found the videos (shot on location in Israel) lackluster and a lot of the study in the book to be highly repetitive. I know that is conducive to learning, and that Ms McLelland is a professor, so I understand it. But for whatever reason, it bothered me a bit.

Good material and we enjoyed the study.

[Angela Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything by Kristi is top notch!

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent study by Kristi!!! 👏🏼 Such rich cultural Jewish insights into Jesus’ earthly ministry. My Bible study group thoroughly enjoyed this study and learned something new and beautiful each week. The teaching videos are especially wonderful! Filmed in Israel and so professionally produced. Highly recommend!

[Machaia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this. I didn’t agree with all of her theology (I despise the idea that Mary was 12 when she became pregnant with Jesus), but Luke is one of my favorite books of the Bible and I appreciated that she incorporated the Bible text often. The videos were also a nice touch.

[Tiffany Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great seven week Bible study to do alone or with a group. Luke is the only gospel writer who never met Jesus. All of his writing comes from interviewing other people who did spend time with Jesus. McLelland travels to several places where Jesus spent time during his ministry on Earth and records videos for her readers to experience.

I loved seeing Bethlehem, the Sea of Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem and the Road to Emmaus. It was amazing seeing first hand places where Jesus spent time. This study helped reveal truths from the book of Luke that I had not seen before. Really enjoyed it! And if you want to learn more about Luke, I highly recommend "Dear and Glorious Physician" by Taylor Caldwell.

[Elizabeth Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always leave Kristi’s studies loving Jesus and scripture more. My awe of the two also continues to grow.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Does LifeWay have editors?

So far I've only read the introduction, when the author makes the atrocities of Oct 7 about her (she was not there), and the first snapshot, where she elevates having a human experience of the holy Land to the status of a "fifth gospel." I feel this is enough reading to say I don't recommend this study.

I almost don't blame the author, even though she's a professor and should definitely know better. But the editor's job is to make sure nothing bad gets published, right? Are these LifeWay Bible studies just a cash grab? It's hard to imagine why else this was published.

Just read your Bible, it's a way better investment of your time.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve never read her work before, you will love this book. If you have read her work before, there is a lot of repetition from earlier books. Nothing of her video lessons needed to be filmed on site. She could have been teaching anywhere. We can access all sorts of photos and images of these places online. The book has photos of the Holy Land that might be nice if they were bigger than a postage stamp. As is, they are very hard to see.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Chapelstreet Women announced their winter Bible study Luke in the Land by biblical culturalist Kristi McLelland, I was thrilled! Just as Kristi encourages us not just to read Scripture but to eat the Scripture, I devoured her study on the book of Luke!

“The overarching narrative of the Bible is localized among those who are on the bottom of society’s hierarchies and structures. Jesus, the King of kings, came all the way to the lowest circle of humanity, found the lost, the sick, and the marginalized, and prioritized them…When man became a god, God became a man.”

“The true soter (Savior) of the world had been born in Bethlehem, was raised in Nazareth, and was now beginning His ministry of inaugurating the kingdom of God–reversing the curse and making all things new. Salvation had come in the person of Jesus and was moving toward people,” of all socioeconomic status, race and gender. Jesus came for “E’erybody!”

Our repentance rallies a rise out of God. He is looking not to slay sinners but to save sinners! The Lord desires to enter into our heartbreak so that He can begin the work of healing. The wilderness isn’t the place to grit our teeth but the space to receive God’s grace! Christ’s incarnation was the kingdom’s inauguration; we are Christ’s translation and the kingdom’s invitation!

“To say yes to Jesus is to agree to take kingdom adventures as they find you” and “partner with Him in bringing the kingdom of God to earth…The greatest battle for me as a disciple of Jesus is giving that initial yes in my heart to the kingdom adventure standing in front of me.”

“Generations are impacted when a woman lives with hope in her hands.” The best Benefactors bend down to serve others. In my space themed classroom may the most exquisite symbol of the sun/Son’s light dominate the atmosphere of our class as a solar sanctuary of rest!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second of Kristi McLelland's books I have read. This book is based on the Gospel of Luke going from Christ's birth to resurrection. The author puts the events in Luke in the historical perspective of the time. This helps the reader understand Luke. Things that are written about in Luke have a clearer understanding when the events are explained in the first century Jewish/Roman culture.

The pictures in the book and the scenes in Israel show where in events happened. The reader/viewer is on the Sea of Galilee; in Capernaum, at the Jordan River, in Jerusalem. I was in Israel two years ago in many of the same places. The author gives the reader a better perspective than our guide did.

And now that so few pilgrims are going due to the war, this is the next best thing to being there.

[Mandi Navarre Eschenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristi McLelland is hands down one of my favorite Bible teachers. She brings the Bible to life through a Middle Eastern lens, revealing layers of richness and depth that I never fully understood before. Her teachings are absolutely captivating and have transformed the way I experience God’s Word.

In Luke in the Land, Kristi takes us on a beautiful journey, weaving together snapshots of the places where Jesus walked and the miracles He performed. I love how she unpacks the original language—it adds so much clarity and meaning. And the way she makes Jesus feel so personal.

Although I did this study on my own, it’s perfect for group Bible studies too. Each session includes video teachings from Kristi that enhance the experience. If traveling to the Holy Land with her isn’t an option, this study is the next best thing!

[Ayn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some women in our neighborhood got together to do this devotional and we really enjoyed our time in Luke and getting to see some of the places Jesus did or would have likely been while He taught His disciples. Having grown up in church and gone to Bible school, I didn't find a lot of the information new, necessarily. However, Kristi makes some interesting connections that I hadn't made before and I don't know much about Israel's geography, so to watch the videos where she "takes us" some places of significance was cool.
The content was great for discussing as a group even though many of the women in attendance were at varying places in their walk with the Lord and spiritually speaking. Overall, it was definitely a blessing.

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first Bible study by the author, and I enjoyed the historical context of the book of Luke.

Kristi takes you through the history of the time period. You feel like you are walking the roads with Jesus and understanding the culture and lives of people during that day.

The videos are absolutely beautiful with amazing settings throughout the Holy Land. Watching them, I felt like I was stepping back in time and visiting the Holy Land to follow Jesus.

The study is different from ones I have completed in the past. It doesn’t walk you through verse by verse, but rather takes snapshots of several stories throughout Luke and puts them in context of the people and culture.

I found that I enjoyed the different perspective and I now read Luke with a view toward how and where the events happened.

I used it alongside another study to help me study each verse. Luke in the Land helped me get a “big picture” view of the events of the book.

While I loved the videos and the incredible scenery, the content was sometimes a bit repetitive and covered much of what I had been reading throughout the week. At times, I was wishing for more depth or new information in the videos.

You will enjoy this study if you are wanting a big picture overview of some key events in the book of Luke and want to understand the people, culture, and time period more deeply.

I used this book on my own for personal study rather than with a group. It’s wonderful to have the video access included and definitely worth paying more to have access to the amazing footage from the Holy Land.

Now that I know what to expect, I plan to do her other studies while also using commentaries or other resources to flesh out my studies and obtain a verse-by-verse overview while also learning more about the context and the people.

4 stars

[Janine Toomey]

We just wrapped up this Bible study today. The study is video-driven, and filmed onsite in Israel. I learned many new things and am a better follower of Jesus being reminded of the things I already know. McLelland is an expert in her field of bringing the Bible alive through an introduction to the land in which it was written. The written material is a great addition to the videos, not cover the same ground. She draws out interesting facts about customers, culture, and country. I cannot wait to do another one of her studies.

[Tonya Makrinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding deep dive into the book of Luke. McLelland provides so much historical facts and data far beyond what is written to help understand in a deep and meaningful way what was going on: what metaphors meant, the significance of places, the four miracles Jesus performs so we have a clear and concise information that grounds the faithful in confidence that the greatest story ever told is true.

I had so many aha moments through this study and highly recommend to anyone who really wants to see prophesy come to life in your heart and soul.

[Becky Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fall bible study I was a part of and the first I have done with Kristi McLelland. I appreciated the video that went with it and walked away with some new information about this gospel. I differed on some of her interpretations, but that is to be expected in any study. There were some pretty glaring errors in the printing of the book which was disappointing in a finished and edited copy.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to take a walk through Israel with a professor who knows the New Testament, this is the book for you. This is a bible study book where you have access to films of her walking through Israel and explaining portions of Luke and other gospels as she travels the holy land.

This was quite an impactful study. Unlike anything I’ve done before and, trust me, I’ve done lots. Our whole group loved it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Bible Study loved this book. The videos give a look at Isreal for those who have never been there, enriching the teaching given by Ms. Mclelland. We all struggled with the oraganization of the book. The “snapshots” were put before the video viewing pages and group questions. It was hard to lead a good discussion since each week took us a few weeks because the women wanted to dig deeper. We are next embarking on her study on Acts which seems to logically follow this book.

[Heather Voelz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo good. I went to Bible college and still learned quite a lot from this book and the accompanying videos. It is geared toward women, but anyone would learn something from it. Highly recommend as a Bible study. The group I did this with had a variety of ages and time walking with the Lord so it was fun to see what stood out to everyone.

[Holly Vickrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to travel so this travelogue through Luke helps provide context to the vignettes Luke describes in his gospel. No spoilers, but the birthplace of Jesus looks different than I imagined. McClelland adds contextual details about the Roman Empire, tax collectors, and messianic miracles. She also emphasizes partnering with Jesus. Great videos!

[Brenda Lykins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did it as a Bible study class, I love the story and how she broke it up to snapshots, the video that accompanied it was beautiful showing the landscaping. But I also appreciated the questions about the different times in jesus' lives from his birth burial to Resurrection and the many people who supported and love Jesus although there were others who tore him down.

[Janine Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this study. With the times we are in, I don't know that I will ever make it to Israel while living. This study picks you up and puts you right there. The amount of small details I learned about Jesus' life on earth will stick with me and be passed down to my children. I highly recommend Kristi's studies. They are life changing.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did this study with a group and enjoyed the book work and discussions that followed. However, I found the videos to be over produced and having little to do with the study itself. Beautiful location shots and “can you imagine” moments with very little content or exploration of ideas and themes of the study.

[Rachel Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great study of the life of Christ based on Luke’s account. The teaching videos are visually engaging as she is on location and pointing out areas of interest. Her questions in the book sometimes are difficult for me to engage with, but her content is interesting and full of the truth of the Gospel.

[Kathryn Horlings · Rating 3 out of 5]

thought-provoking study with an ancient perspective, sometimes fell short of the gospel and depended too much on the author’s lived experiences (at times insensitive to the current state of Israel and its people)

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Kristi McLelland's studies but this is probably my least favorite. Mostly because she does not go to the same depth of information as her other studies and I just didn't learn as much. The video's were the best part of the study!