Episode 1.1

I Am He

Recommended Time: 110 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.1. (55 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)

CLICK on a “+” sign for more:

1. Jesus calls Lillith/Mary by her name and tells her she is redeemed. How can we remind ourselves of this truth and live it out in our daily lives?
2. Lillith/Mary initially didn’t feel safe with Jesus and ran from Him. Do you feel safe with Jesus? Why or why not? What has made you run from or towards God in the past?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?
1. The episode shows that Mary of Magdala (or Lilith) was tormented by many demons (per Luke’s Gospel). It seems that the evil influences are related to the loss of her dad and how she copes in unhealthy ways. At her lowest point, she encounters Jesus who calls her by name in a way that touches her deeply.
  a. Have you ever experienced your name being called similarly (even if your situation is not as dramatic)? What was that like?
  b. At this time in your life, how would you like your name to be similarly called? How would you respond if God called you by that name?
2. 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?

Recommendations for Personal Prayer:

Let yourself be led by the Spirit through this 20’ Guided Meditation with Isaiah 43:1-5.
Take a few minutes and pray, thanking God that He has redeemed you, that He has called you by name, and you are His.
Read slowly several times Is 43:1-5. Imagine God speaking to you these words: Let the words, I have called you by name, you are mine”.

Source: The Chosen

Comment

Episode 1.2

I Am He

Recommended Time: 95 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.2. (40 min)

2. Consider the following context: In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Sabbath is a time of rest. We rest because God rested. We rest to refresh our souls, to know God better. This episode portrays how various characters understand and practice the Sabbath.

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

CLICK on a “+” sign for more:

1. Reflecting on your habits in the past several months, what does rest mean to you and why do you rest?
2. How do you find your habits of resting similar or not to the following:
  a. Matthew has no one with whom he can spend Sabbath time in a meaningful way.
  b. Nicodemus fulfills his religious Sabbath time obligations while longing for greater meaning.
  c. Peter spends this time doing desperate work, even though it is questionable to his wife.
  d.Mary follows her desire for rest by returning to herself and involving those who are on the margins.
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?
1. Reflecting on your habits in the past several months, what does rest mean to you and why do you rest?
2. To what extent do you allow God to surprise you as you rest? How so?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?

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

5. 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

Comment

Episode 1.3

I Am He

Recommended Time: 85 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.3. (30 min)

2. Quietly reflect or journal on these questions below. (15 min)

Jesus invites us to approach God with child-like trust, curiosity, and boldness. How do you hear and respond to this invitation?
It was easy for Abigail to tell her friends about Jesus. What is it like for you when telling your friends and family about Jesus? What struggles or hesitations do you face?
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

Comment

Episode 1.4

I Am He

Recommended Time: 105 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.4. (50 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)

CLICK on a “+” sign for more:

1. What was it like for you to witness Peter’s conversion and being called by Jesus?
2. Have you encountered God in a similar, perhaps less dramatic way? How so? Do you long for a similar experience with God and what might that look like?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?
1. The episode shows Peter desperate to pay his tax debts and trying to overcome his struggles alone. Jesus provides for Peter’s genuine need for a big catch of fish. Moreover, Jesus awakens Peter’s desires for the long-awaited Messiah. He beckons Peter to follow him. Recall an experience in which you received a surprising gift or blessing that was beyond your imagination or own making. Or perhaps it was too good to be true. How did you sense God’s presence or invitation? How did you respond, or how can you respond at this time?
2. When he was alone on the boat, Peter spoke to God in an honest and raw way. He expressed his exasperation and even anger. If you have experienced something similar, what was it like? If not, what would 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

Comment

Episode 1.5

I Am He

Recommended Time: 115 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.5. (55 min)

2. Rewatch the clip below before reflecting, while keeping in mind the following context:
In the Jewish tradition, wine symbolizes joy. At the request of his mother, Jesus transforms water into wine and sustains everyone at the Wedding Feast at Cana with abundant joy.

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

CLICK on a “+” sign for more:

1. What brings about joy in your life?
2. When joy runs dry in your life, where or to whom do you turn?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?
1. Mary’s trust and confidence in Jesus helped everyone at the wedding feast. How do I approach God or Jesus through intercessory prayers? To what extent do I focus on what I am asking for, on how I imagine it will come about, or on trusting in Divine Providence (God’s care and wisdom)?
2. Thomas’ insistence on understanding betrays his tendency to control. He is nudged (by his friends Ramah and Jesus) to be stretched and surprised by God’s ways. How are you being invited to “let go” and be open to greater trust in God at this time in your life?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?

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

5. 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

Comment

Episode 1.6

I Am He

Recommended Time: 105 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.6. (50 min)

2. Rewatch the clip below before reflecting.

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

CLICK on a “+” sign for more:

1. Jesus’ curing of the paralytic prompted different kinds of responses: the surprise of the paralytic and his friends, the confusion of the Pharisees, the awe of everyone in the crowd, of Nicodemus, of Matthew the tax-collector, of Mary and Peter. Which group or person do you identify with? Can you imagine being the paralytic & how you are able to walk? How would you respond if you witnessed this miracle?
2. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?
1. Jesus’ curing of the paralytic prompted different kinds of responses: the surprise of the paralytic and his friends, the confusion of the Pharisees, the awe of everyone in the crowd, of Nicodemus, of Matthew the tax-collector, of Mary and Peter. Which group or person do you identify with? Can you imagine being the paralytic & how you are able to walk? How would you respond if you witnessed this miracle?
2. The Ethiopian woman was in awe of how Jesus healed the leper. She responded boldly by “creating a scene” and bringing her friend to Jesus. How have I allowed awe in Jesus to move me toward loving action? What has prevented me from responding boldly now?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?

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

5. 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

Comment

Episode 1.7

I Am He

Recommended Time: 90 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.7. (35 min)

2. Quietly reflect or journal on these questions below. (15 min)

There was so much for Matthew and Nicodemus to leave behind. We don’t always have to risk a lot to follow Jesus. What are some things you'd have a hard time risking to follow him?
In their own ways, Nicodemus and Matthew responded generously to Jesus’ invitation to follow him. What would it mean at this time in your life to follow Jesus with generosity?
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

Comment

Episode 1.8

I Am He

Recommended Time: 120 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.8. (50 min)

2. Rewatch the clip below before reflecting.

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

CLICK on a “+” sign for more:

1. Jesus uses humor at different points to help connect with and disarm people, as a tool for encountering others with greater approachability. What role does humor play in your life, faith, and relationships, especially those with whom you struggle?
2. God often chooses people who are on the outside or at the “bottom of the barrel” to reveal God’s love (like Jesus choosing the Samaritan woman or many of his disciples). When have you encountered such surprising choices, in your own life or in the life of others? How were you affected and chose to respond?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?
1. Jesus not only knows about the Samaritan woman, he also knows her pain of being rejected and her deep longing for genuine love. When and how have you experienced being seen and known by God and others? Whether you can recall such an experience or not, what would it mean for you to be seen and known by God more fully at this time in your life?
2. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?

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

5. 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

Comment

The Chosen Reflection Questions