Recommended Time: 115 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 2.4. (60 min)

2. Quietly reflect or journal on either of the sets of questions below or combine them to fit your group’s needs. (15 min)

    1. Both Simon the Zealot and his brother Jesse longed for healing and liberation. Jesse sought healing in the Pool of Bethesda. Simon strove for the liberation of his people through violent means. They placed their salvation in ways that did not satisfy. What do you find yourself turning to time and again that does not satisfy, help, or bring greater meaning?

    2. Jesus observed that “everyone has wandered through the wilderness at some point.” What or who helps you turn to God or Jesus with greater dependence or reliance? How so?

    3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?

    1. Like the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, Jesse was “having a bad day” for four decades. In both cases, God (or Jesus) brought them through the times when they were very vulnerable. This highlights a biblical pattern of God’s power shining through human limitations, weaknesses, or failures. Is there an area of vulnerability in your life that longs for saving grace or where God’s liberating power has shone through?

    2. While Jesse is focused on who’s helping him, who’s not helping, or who gets in his way, Jesus asks Jesse pointedly, “Do you want to be healed?” In doing so, Jesus invites him to get to the heart of the matter and taps into his deep longing to be healed, despite repeated failures. Then Jesus asks Jesse to let go of his focus on the pool and to turn to him. Is there a similar invitation in your life and what does it look like for you?

    3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?

3. Break into small groups and share answers to your questions above. (30 min)

4. Reconvene with the large group and discuss the following large group questions below. (10 min)

  • Is there an insight that came up from your small group that you think the large group can benefit from?

  • Is there a question you’d like to pose to everyone in the large group?

Source: The Chosen

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