Study The Chosen - Season 1 Episode 7

 

 The Chosen" Season 1 Episode 7 - Small Group Study

Episode 7 is yet another awesome episode. In this one we see the famous meeting with Nicodemus that can be found in John chapter 3. In this episode of The Chosen, Quintus asks Nicodemus if their worlds are colliding and tasks him to talk to Jesus. 

Before the meeting, Matthew goes to his childhood home to see his parents because he has some deep questions. However, his father is gone for work and his mom, who doesn't agree with his profession, has a hard time with the discussion because she's hoping Matthew is there to apologize for being a tax collector. Matthew is having a personal crisis that she doesn't understand. He asks her, "do you think that impossible things can happen that over turn the laws of nature?" He was wrestling with what he saw when Jesus performed the miraculous catch. He said, "Everything I thought I knew, what if it's wrong?" When did you first believe in angels or the supernatural world? Were you young or was it more recently? 

Jesus meets with Nicodemus on a rooftop under the cover of darkness. They discuss Nicodemus' visit to Mary in the Red Quarter (episode 1). Jesus tells him, "you were meant to be there" He says, "so I could fail miserably?" Jesus says, "If you weren't there would you be here tonight?" Have you had a difficult circumstance in your life that God used as a blessing in disguise?

Jesus tells Nicodemus to follow him, to leave his life as a Pharisee and follow him. Nicodemus says, "To give up who I am?" Jesus says, "It is true, you would give up a lot. But what you'd gain is far greater and more lasting." 

Towards the end of the episode, Jesus walks by Matthew's tax booth and says "Matthew, Son of Alpheus. Follow me." (Does anyone else get goosebumps when you see Jesus say that?) From earlier in the episode we could see that Matthew's heart was ripe. Ready to be harvested. So he closes up shop and follows him. Gaius, in disbelief, says, "have you lost your mind? No Jew lives as good as you and you're going to throw it all away?" Matthew simply says, "yes." Both Nicodemus and Matthew had a decision to make. Would they give up all they had to follow Jesus. Have you had a similar experience? How much have you given up to follow Jesus?

Lastly, Simon has hard time with Jesus calling Matthew. When he questions Jesus on it, Jesus says, "you didn't get it when I chose you either." Simon says, but this is different, he's a tax collector." Jesus says, "Get used to different." We're all surrounded by various types of people. Some look, act, and think just like us. Some are very different. How have you surrounded yourself with those different than you in order to share the gospel with them? Or in order to be a positive influence on them?

Summary Questions:

• When did you first believe in angels or the supernatural world? Were you young or was it more recently? 
• Have you had a difficult circumstance in your life that God used as a blessing in disguise?
• Would they give up all they had to follow Jesus. Have you had a similar experience? How much have you given up to follow Jesus?
• How have you surrounded yourself with those different than you in order to share the gospel with them? Or in order to be a positive influence on them?

Study The Chosen - Season 1 Episode 6

 The Chosen" Season 1 Episode 6 - Small Group Study

Episode 6 is my favorite of the first two seasons. It's entitled "Indescribable Compassion" and maybe that's why I love it so much. You can see the compassion of Christ in the reactions of others. Frist, a leper meets Jesus and his disciples on a road back to Capernaum. He had heard of the water being turned into wine from a relative who was at the wedding and begged Jesus to heal him. He said, "if you are willing, I know you can heal me." Jesus said, "I am willing." (This story can be found in Matthew 8.) At what age did you first understand that Jesus performed miracles? Did you think of him as a superhero? 

Meanwhile, Shmuel challenges Nicodemus' view of John the Baptizer's use of Torah. Nicodemus is trying to shrug off John's apparent infraction, knowing deep in his heart that God is doing something new. He said to Shmuel, "You would place limits on the Almighty?" Nicodemus goes on to say, "And if God did something that you felt contradicted the Torah, would you tell Him to get back in that box that you have carved for Him? Or would you question your interpretation of the Torah?" Nicodemus goes on, "We are still students, Shmuel!" When have you had a closed mind about an area of faith only to be open in that area later in life? Do you believe that God's done speaking? Or does he speak today?

Jesus' teaching at Zebedee's house draws a crowd, including a paralytic and his friends. They tear through the roof and let him down into the middle of the house. Jesus tells him, "Take heart, your sins are forgiven", and tells him to take up his bed and to go home. The paralytic walks out on his own two feet and the crowd is amazed. But Shmuel asks him on what authority does he teach and Jesus tells the paralytic that his sins are forgiven and also calls himself the Son of Man. What do you do when people around you question Christ's divinity, when they say he was just a man? Do you point to the scriptures or to what he's done in your own life?

Summary Questions:

• At what age did you first understand that Jesus performed miracles? Did you think of him as a superhero? 
• When have you had a closed mind about an area of faith only to be open in that area later in life?
• Do you believe that God's done speaking? Or does he speak today?
• What do you do when people around you question Christ's divinity, when they say he was just a man? Do you point to the scriptures or to what he's done in your own life?

Study The Chosen - Season 1 Episode 5

 "The Chosen" Season 1 Episode 5 - Small Group Study

In this episode Jesus and his disciples travel to the wedding feast of Sarah and Asher. Dinah and Rafi, Asher's parents have a modest income, so they are trying to be frugal with the costs of the wedding. The bride's parents, Abner and Hila, are wealthy as Abner is a sea merchant. They come off as critical of Dinah and Rafi's wedding preparations. How do you handle friends or family who are critical of you?

Early in the celebration, the Thomas and Ramah panic as they have a headcount of 80 wedding guests and they only have enough wine for 60. They try to come up with a plan but nothing sounds good. 

Late in the evening on the first day, Jesus' mother Mary comes and tells Jesus they've run out of wine. He says, my time has not yet come. She asks, "if not now, when?" Jesus agrees and she tells Thomas and to do whatever he tells you. Have you bent over backwards to help a family member when they were in need? Share an example.

We see the disciples chatting around a table during the evening of the first day of the wedding feast. Andrew admits to the group he worries but Mary Magdalene says she's learned not to worry since she's been with Jesus. Since it was cold there, Andrew wondered if they would be taken care of at night. James says, "do you think he would let you freeze?" Do you believe God will take care of the little things in your life? This can be hard to do sometimes.

Jesus tells Thomas to fill the purification jars with water. Thomas is exasperated and thinks Jesus' instructions are foolish, that there's no time for this. Jesus says he doesn't rebuke Thomas saying it's good to question things. Thomas watches in disbelief as Jesus turns the water into wine, which turns out to be the best wine the banquet master has ever tasted. Ramah later says, "he even gave us more than we needed." Have you had a time in your life when you had to trust God despite difficult circumstances?

Thomas tells Ramah that Jesus invited him to follow him, but that he doesn't know what to think. Ramah says, "maybe for once in you life, don't think." Do you find your intellect or practical thinking getting in the way of your faith? For example, do you find it hard to believe God created this universe out of nothing? Is it hard to believe Jesus rose from the dead? Even Thomas, who had lived with Jesus for about three years, after Jesus was resurrected said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." - John 20:25. Faith requires us to believe in the supernatural, in things we can't explain. And more than that, it requires us to believe in accounts that were written 2,000 years ago. It does take a large dose of faith to overcome the doubt. But remember, Jesus said, "blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" - John 20:29.

Summary Questions:

• How do you handle friends or family who are critical of you?
• Have you bent over backwards to help a family member when they were in need? Share an example.
• Have you had a time in your life when you had to trust God despite difficult circumstances?
• Do you find your intellect or practical thinking getting in the way of your faith? For example, is it hard to believe God created this universe out of nothing? Is it hard to believe Jesus rose from the dead?

Study The Chosen - Season 1 Episode 4

"The Chosen" Season 1 Episode 4 - Small Group Study

During this episode, Simon's problems become more serious as Quintus is convinced that he double-crossed him. He's supposed to be turning in fishermen that fish on Shabbat (the sabbath) to avoid taxation, but he plan is failing as he wrestles with turning in his fellow Jews. There is a point where Simon has a fight with Eden and he's outside getting his nets ready to go fishing when Andrew arrives out of breath and says he's seen the messiah. Simon is less than excited and says, unless he can help me with my debt to Rome or help Eden's mother get better, he's not interested. But Andrew's faith rises up and says. "anything is possible if the messiah has arrived! Don't you see?" Has there been a point in your life when someone was sharing the good news of Jesus with you but you didn't want to hear it? I there was a period of my life when I didn't want to hear it. But looking back, I'm glad someone did. I'm glad someone wasn't worried about offending me, but was there to share the love of God despite my apathy.

Matthew says to Simon, "Turn yourself in, you have no feasible plan." Simon says, "If I go down, it'll be doing what God bid me to do." So, Simon goes out fishing one more night, knowing that Quintus is coming to get him in the morning. While on the water, Simon complains to God and continues to catch nothing.  He yells at the sky, "This is the God I've served so faithfully my whole life. I think you enjoy yanking us around like goats!" Have you ever screamed out your complaints to God? Or been at wits end sharing  your case to Him for how you would like the future to work out? I have. I've shared my heart twice in my life and both times told Him I don't know if I can do this anymore. Both times he heard my prayer and changed my situation within a few months. 

Zebedee and his sons James and John go out to help him fish since Eden had shared Simon was in trouble. Since Quintus is coming, Simon says this is his last night fishing as a free man unless he catches enough fish to pay his tax debts. Zebedee and his sons suggest he flee with a merchant caravan or find another way to avoid imprisonment by the Romans. Andrew tries to share more about Jesus, but Simon won't hear it. He says I don't need a lamb, I need fish. Meanwhile, Matthew spies on Simon from shore.

After a night of catching nothing, they land on shore just as Jesus is teaching to a small crowd. Jesus asks to use Simon and Andrew's boat so the crowd can hear him better and asks Simon to stick around for a while until he's done teaching because he has something for him. Simon reluctantly stays and listens to the end of his teaching. When done, Jesus tells Simon to put down for a catch. Simon says, "I don't have a quarrel with you teacher, but we've doing this all night. Nothing." Jesus stares at Simon until Simon says, "Alright, at your word." He then pulls in enough fish to pay the tax debts of him and his brother. The miraculous catch.

And what is Simon's response. "Depart from me, I am a sinful man. You don't know who I am and the things I've done." What is Jesus' response? "Don't be afraid, Simon. Lift up your head, fisherman." Simon says, "What do you want from me? Anything you ask I will do." Jesus simply says, "Follow me," and Simon does. Why does Simon respond this way? In this story, Simon was in a serious place of need. A place where there was nowhere else to turn. And God met him there. He rescued him, despite being a "sinful man." Do you think situations like Simon's are common? Can you relate in your own life?

Summary Questions:

• Has there been a point in your life when someone was sharing the good news of Jesus with you but you didn't want to hear it? 
• Have you ever screamed out your complaints to God? Or been at wits end sharing  your case to Him for how you would like the future to work out? 
• Why does Simon respond this way (saying he's a sinful man)? 
• God rescued Simon, despite being a "sinful man." Do you think situations like Simon's are common? Can you relate in your own life?

Study The Chosen - Season 1 Episode 3

"The Chosen" Season 1 Episode 3 - Small Group Study

In episode 3 of season 1 of The Chosen, we see Jesus spending time alone in the woods when some children visit. He tells the children he comes out here to be alone and pray. Despite those goals, he makes time for the children, answers their questions, and teaches them some lifelong lessons. We see him also working on various carpentry projects during this episode, including leaving something special for Abigail at the end.

Early in the episode, Abigail visits his campsite one day and in the days that follow, brings some friends along each day. During this time, Jesus teaches them and encourages them. He tells Abigail, you are wise to bring your friend because there are bad men out there. He calls Joshua "Joshua the brave" saying he admires his bravery to come to see him and says he is a good friend. Jesus says that they can stay, but that he has work to do. Abigail brings several friends back the next several days and they help him with his projects and asks him questions. One boy talks about how he got into a fight with another boy and how he pushed him so hard that he fell down. Jesus said, "What does the Lord say in the Law of Moses about about justice and vengeance?" Abigail answers, "Vengeance is mine." He goes on to say the Lord loves justice and that "maybe it's not for us to handle." He goes on to tell a story about David and how he had mercy on Saul and says "maybe we let God provide the justice." When you talk to children, whether yours or someone else's, do you look for opportunities for teach them about God and encourage them/build them up?

There is a part of the episode when the children recite a passage from scripture. I know when I was a child, I recited and memorized scripture with a respect out of the Bible and my teachers, but not really realizing the power of the truth. When you were a child, how did you view the Bible and God? As a loving God, or one that makes rules for us to follow? 

Although he's a carpenter, he tells them "everyone has a much larger job than just their trade." You are more than just students, you are at school to show love to one another. And to take God's Word and to share it. And at home, to honor your father and mother. And most important, from the law of Moses, to love Who?" Joshua answers, "The Lord, your God, with all your heart." Do you view your job or schooling as just a job or just school or as an opportunity to be the light to others? Do you find that hard to do? 

The big picture of this episode is that Jesus loves children and finds them very precious. And I know he loves all children dearly, not just those who study scripture like the ones in this episode. Imagine his compassion towards those children suffering, who have no control over their circumstances: the poor, the lame, the sick. Like Jesus said in this episode, He came to "proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are oppressed" (which was actually a quote from Isaiah.) In the end, it's good for us to keep especially those children in mind and look for opportunities to bless those experiencing the most difficult challenges of life. Is there a child or group of children less fortunate that you have an opportunity to bless?

Summary Questions:

• When you talk to children, whether yours or someone else's, do you look for opportunities for teach them about God and encourage them/build them up?
• When you were a child, how did you view God? As a loving God, or one that makes rules for us to follow? 
•  Do you view your job or schooling as just a job or school or as an opportunity to be the light to others? Do you find that hard to do? 
• Is there a child or group of children less fortunate that you have an opportunity to bless?

Study The Chosen - Season 1 Episode 2

"The Chosen" Season 1 Episode 2 - Small Group Study

OK, we're on to episode 2 of season 1. We see some key developments in this episode. Simon is working to find merchant fishermen about to fish on the Sabbath, Matthew comes to Quintus with concerns that his deal with Simon is a bad one, and Nicodemus investigates the report that Mary has been healed of her demonic possession.  

But let's take a look at Matthew's relationship with his family. Matthew was a tax collector. He was hated by fellow Jews because he was working for the Romans occupying their land by collecting taxes from his own people for the Romans. He was considered a traitor. In his conversation with Gaius we learn that Matthew's father "says he has no son." He has disowned him. I'm sure Matthew's father and mother would have been looked down upon in the community because their son joined the Romans in tax collecting. They were ashamed of him. 

On Shabbat evening, Matthew longs to have Shabbat dinner with his family, but couldn't get up the courage to knock on the door. Have you ever felt you wanted to make amends with someone, but couldn't find the courage? Or have you ever showed love to someone despite the sin they continue in?

Then we see Nicodemus in disbelief that someone else had healed Mary. She told him it wasn't anything he had done, but that it was someone else. She went on to say, "I was one way, and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between, was him (Jesus)." You later see Mary trying to host Shabbat dinner...trying to do things right and honor God although she hasn't been doing in the recent past. She was truly thankful, truly changed. Have you had a significant change in your spiritual life? Or a period where you changed abruptly out of an outpouring of love and thankfulness to our Savior?

Summary Questions:

• Have you ever felt you wanted to make amends with someone, but couldn't find the courage?
• Have you ever showed love to someone despite the sin they continue in?
• Have you had a significant change in your spiritual life? 
• Have you had a period where you changed abruptly out of an outpouring of love and thankfulness to our Savior?

Study The Chosen - Season 1 Episode 1

"The Chosen" Season 1 Episode 1 - Small Group Study

So you've watched season 1, episode 1 of The Chosen TV series. Great. Now let's dive into what happened and see what we can learn.

What we see in the beginning of the series is the redemption of Mary Magdalene and some character development of some of the disciples and other characters. Let's start with Mary. She was portrayed as having hit rock bottom. Possessed by several demons and causing havoc in the Red Quarter, the Romans occupying Capernaum ask visiting Pharisee Nicodemus to help her. "She needs a holy man", they say. 

Despite Nicodemus' efforts, her condition remains unchanged. At the tavern she gives away one of her long held possessions, her doll that held a piece of paper with scripture that her father would encourage her with:

"Thus says the Lord who created you and he who formed you. Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine."  Isaiah 43:1

After an episode of being controlled by the demons, she started reading the scripture that helped her so many times in the past. But finally, she gave up and tore up the paper. The solution she found herself considering was to take her own life by jumping off a cliff. True desperation. 

Have you had a rock-bottom moment? When things got difficult; when your back was against the wall; when you needed encouragement desperately? Where did you go? Was there a verse that encouraged you? For me,  Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great encouragement. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." It helps me remember that my life is in His hands and helps me trust Him with every detail. 

Then there was Peter and Andrew. Peter had a different level of desperation. He was looking for ways to make money because Rome was taxing the Jewish people and making it hard to live. And they owed. A lot. He and Andrew had a plan to take advantage of others through gambling and rigging a fight, which backfired. Peter was also fishing on the Sabbath (Shabbat), justifying it by saying that lives are at stake. If they don't make enough to pay the taxes, they could lose the boat, their livelihood. So, he makes a deal with the Roman official, Quintus to help catch Jewish merchant fishermen fishing on the Sabbath to avoid taxation. Have you ever worked to meet your needs outside of God's plan (or against his principles)? I know I have. And things often don't turn out as I had expected.

Lastly, Mary was in the tavern when she met Jesus. As she was walking away from him out in the cold of the night, He said the words she'd been reciting to remind her of God's protection. "Thus says the Lord who created you and he who formed you. Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine." When has God met you where you were? When has He rescued you from your situation despite the poor choices you were making? Isn't that totally like Him? Displaying His love without measure....with a patience that never ceases. Romans 5:8 says, "But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us." 

Summary Questions:

• Have you had a rock-bottom moment? 
• When things got difficult; when your back was against the wall; when you needed encouragement desperately? Where did you go? Was there a verse that encouraged you?
• Have you ever worked to meet your needs outside of God's plan (or against his principles)?
• When has God met you where you were? When has He rescued you from your situation despite the poor choices you were making?