Every summer for the past 36 years, Ariel Ministries has welcomed students of all ages from many countries to join us for our Messianic discipleship program held at Camp Shoshanah. It is nestled in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, and provides the perfect setting for our newly expanded six week program of rich Bible study, fellowship and fun. You can attend from 1 to 6 weeks of the Program depending on your schedule. Our program centers on the grounding and growth of believers through in-depth study of the Scriptures from a Jewish perspective. The time of Bible study combined with worship, fellowship, and the beautiful surroundings, makes Shoshanah School the perfect retreat for refreshment and renewal of your faith.
If you have any questions, our camp staff is ready to answer them. Call (518) 834-6057
Register Today!
Click here for full details on conference and accommodation costs and class schedules.
Click here for a print brochure version of the below program information.
Program
In response to the suggestions of many returnees to the program, in addition to the ongoing three week program, we are including three oneweek programs for those who wish to complete a course all in one week. This opportunity will be available on the first, second, and sixth week. Thus in a single week one can complete courses in Old Testament Survey, New Testament Survey, Ephesians, First John, and also the entire 25 hour Life of Messiah course. You may attend for 1 to 6 weeks depending on your schedule and students are encouraged to attend all six weeks of the program if their schedule allows.
The Program Breakdown is as Follows:
Classes begin on Monday morning and end on Friday evening. The first two weeks, the program runs for four hours per day and the remaining four weeks, for five hours per day.
The structure of the program will be four, hour long classes each day for both the two and three week programs. The three week program has a fifth session for first-time attendees: The Life of Messiah which runs for seventy-five minutes each day. The sixth week program will also run for five hours a day.
A youth program is provided during the adult sessions. We have designed our schedule for the maximum teaching time during the day, while allowing ample time for fun and fellowship. The afternoons and weekends allow plenty of free time for worship, fellowship, recreation at Trout Pond, and various other activities located nearby, including hiking, tennis and basketball. You will need to bring your own equipment for these activities.
Each Friday evening we have a special Shabbat dinner. Saturday is a free day for campers who will continue their study and a departure day for those who are leaving. Sunday mornings, we gather for a time of worship led by Ariel staff members and students. If you play a musical instrument, please bring it along to share with us. Saturday and Sunday evenings are reserved for lakeside cookouts with music, dance, and fellowship.
Children and Youth (Ages 2-17):
Serious Bible education is required for our youth. While opportunities for good fun abound, first and foremost the Shoshanah facility is a Discipleship Program. During adult classes, we will conduct Bible teaching and recreation program for children ages 2-17. Topics will mirror the adult program topics. We regret that pending completion of the Dining Hall, no children under 2 can be taken care of. You are welcome to bring a babysitter for them.
Accommodations:
Accommodations include cabins for married couples and families; separate dorms for single men and single women, and camp grounds (tent, camper, or RV). All accommodations are available on a first-come, first-served basis, giving early registrants preference regarding dates of attendance. You may also commute from one of the local motels (contact Ariel for a list). Pets are NOT permitted.
Meals at Facility:
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please Note: Attendees are not permitted to prepare their own meals nor is food allowed in the cabins, nor use the kitchen facilities for any purpose. A refrigerator is provided in the dining hall for those attendees who have special needs, such as insulin storage, etc.
Course Syllabus
Week 1:
Old Testament Survey — This course will provide an overview of the whole Hebrew Bible showing how the poetical and prophetic books fit within the historical segments of the Old Testament. It will trace God's special program for the Jewish people both past and future.
Book of Ephesians — This book is important for Messianic Jewish Studies since it shows the uniqueness of Israel, the role of Gentile believers, the contrast between Jews, Gentiles and how all believers become partakers of Jewish spiritual blessings in the Body of the Messiah.
Week 2:
New Testament Survey — In addition to the Gospels, this course will provide an overview of the whole New Covenant fitting in the epistles into the historical Book of Acts. It will show a contrast between epistles written to the Body as a whole and those epistles written specifically for Messianic Jews.
The Epistle of First John — Not always viewed from a Jewish Perspective, this course will show both the Jewish and Gentile relevance of this epistle.
Weeks 3 through 5:
Book of Jeremiah — This course will cover the whole book, certain segments in a survey and summary and other segments in verse by verse detail. There will be a special focus on Messianic Prophecies within this book and how this book militates against different forms of Replacement Theology which is now having a revival in the churches causing a loss of support for Israel today.
Eschatology: Doctrine of the Last Days — This course will cover all facets of the prophetic Word of God covering topics such as the Rapture, Israel, the Tribulation, the Second Coming, the Messianic Kingdom, the Eternal Order, among other prophetic issues. The revival of Replacement Theology is resulting in a non-literal approach to Bible prophecy, especially how it relates to Israel and the Jewish people and this course will show the fallacies of such teachings.
Zionism and the History of Israel — This is one of the four historic courses taught at the Shoshanah School to show how God has preserved the Jewish people and in spite of the Holocaust, Israel came into being within three years following the fall of Nazi Germany. This course will also note how the modern state is fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the Word of God.
Spiritual Life — A study of the principles of the spiritual life and spiritual warfare, together with the role of the Holy Spirit, the new nature, the world, the flesh and the devil.
Bible Study Methods — All believers take much of the Bible quite literally. But when the Bible speaks of Israel and speaks of prophecy, many Bible believers begin to resort to an allegorical interpretation leaving Israel out of the picture except for the curses. This course will show how principles of biblical interpretation must be applied consistently to all parts of the Bible thus promoting a special role for Israel.
Book of Galatians — Many are confused as to what this book actually teaches about Jews and Gentiles in the Body of the Messiah. Does it discourage Messianic Jews from circumcising their sons? Does it teach that the Church is the Israel of God? This course will clarify all such misconceptions.
Week 6:
The Life of the Messiah — This is a study of the harmony of all four Gospels but from a very strong Jewish perspective. This course is covered in the three week program (but not to the same full degree) and in one week (the sixth week) where the full program is covered in one week the sixth week.
Register Today!
Click here for full details on conference and accommodation costs and class schedules.
Click here for a print brochure version of the above program information.