SEASON 3 QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION  (listed in reverse order)

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Episode 8

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• The episode opens in 990 BC with King David, who is considered the greatest king of Israel and Judah.  David wrote many of the psalms, but some are written by others, such as Asaph.  Read Psalm 77 (the one shared here) in the Bible. 

• The people confronting each other in the wilderness are from the Decapolis (the semi-Greek cluster of cities to the north).  The are:

  • Syrophoenicians - people from north of Israel and Judah, a mixed group of people who are monotheistic (they have one God), but don’t get along with the Jewish people

  • Nabataeans - an Arab tribe of this time who come from Jordan and the Arabian Peninsula

  • Jews who live in the Decapolis - who have adopted some Greek ways and might not be as observant and orthodox as those in Judah

• The mikvah (or mikveh) is a ritual bath.  The bather is immersed in “living” water (a bath fed by a spring or rainwater) for ritual cleansing and purification at a time of transition.  The following prayer is said, “Blessed are You, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us concerning the immersion.”  People may stay in the bath for prayer and meditation.  The mikvah involves some of the same symbolism of cleansing, renewal, and new life found in Christian baptism.

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION

• Jesus says, “I'm a rabbi and as these Jewish brothers will tell you, we like to teach by asking questions.  We all like to solve problems by talking.  If it begins with a disagreement, even better.  Feel free to listen.  And if you'd like to argue a bit, that's fine, too.”

  • Can arguments and disagreements really lead to closer relationships and growth?

  • How does asking questions, listening, and talking help us avoid combat with our conflict?

• Judas thinks it makes Jesus and the disciples look weak when they sit down.  What do you think making them sit down accomplishes? 

  • Why does everyone else sit down after Jesus heals the man with the broken leg?

• Jesus says, “My friends, you forget so quickly. You are dear to me. Your memories are short.”

  • What have we collectively forgotten in our world?  In our nation?  In the church?  At Hosanna?

• “If you had faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, you could say to a mulberry tree, be uprooted and planted in the sea. And it would obey you . . . It's not about size, Philip. It's about who your faith is in.”

  • Then why do we question whether we have enough faith?

  • What difference does it make who our faith is in? 

  • Who (or what) have you wrongly put your trust or faith into? 

• Zebedee, his wife, and Mary go and talk to Eden.  How do you think they are at being supportive and compassionate?  Do they come off as judgmental?  Caring?  Intrusive? 

  • What would you have done similar?  What would you have done different?

• Mary tells Eden, “I don’t know what it’s like to go through what you have. But I have been through enough to know that you need to grieve.” 

  • Can we really be compassionate if we haven’t gone through the same experience?  Why or why not? 

• Mary also says, “Then go to synagogue.  It’s not about the rabbi there, it’s the words from God that they can give us.” 

  • What are the implications for you attending worship and being part of the church’s ministry? 

• Why is Shmuel so concerned with tassels and what the Jewish informer is wearing?

  • Isn’t it funny how quick the man is to condemn Jesus, when he has broken Jewish law himself (and puts the offending vest back on when he leaves)?

  • Read Leviticus 19:19.  Do we follow this law about cloth woven of different fibers today?

  • What do we think about other Levitical laws?  Read Leviticus 18:22, 19:27-28, and 19:33-34.  Which ones do we swear are Gospel truth, and which do we chalk up as being “outdated and contextual” as the informer thinks the clothing law is? 

  • If we don’t take every law literally and dead serious like Shmuel does (he doesn’t exactly come off good here), how do we discern God’s will?  

• When the disciples confront Jesus about the impossibility of feeding the people, he is awfully coy.  Who offers the breakthrough by his gratitude and offering?  (Hint:  It’s not one of the disciples.)

• Jesus says, “I was the one to cause their hunger.  I should be the one to satisfy it.”  What do you think about this statement?  What hungers does God give us?  How does he satisfy them?

• When meeting with Rabbi Yussef, Zebedee’s wife suggests some scripture be read for Eden, “maybe something joyful.”  He replies, “I’m not sure that would be truthful . . . There are many psalms of anguish and anger.  And they are all just as important as the others.”
  How does the psalm he recites (Psalm 77, from the beginning of the episode) seem more appropriate and helpful to Eden? 

  • How does naming pain and anger diminish it?  

• What is the storm symbolic of when the disciples get stuck out in the boat on the sea?

  • One of them says, “We’ve been stuck in the same place forever.” 

  • Have you ever been stuck, and feeling like you’re taking on water

• Simon calls to Jesus:  “If you are who you say you are, bid me to step out of this boat.”

  • Why does Simon need this?  Is it just a miracle he needs, or something different?

• Simon asks, “Why are you chasing after Gentiles when your own people have problems here? . . . I’m right here in front of you, believing, and you are breaking up fights in the Decapolis?!?”

  • Can you relate to Simon’s feelings? 

  • Should the church be taking care of other people when we struggle to care for our own?  Why give to others and serve when we have our own struggles? 

• Jesus says, “Why do you think I allow trials? . . . They prove the genuineness of your faith.  They strengthen you.  This is strengthening you.  And Eden.  Keep your eyes on me.  I let people go hungry, but I feed them.”

  • It’s important to distinguish between trials and tests.  God does not “test” to see if our faith is strong enough (recall how earlier he told Philip that the size of faith isn’t important).  God also doesn’t send trials (tough times), but God does utilize trials that come on their own for growth and strength.  God redeems our suffering, giving us new life.

  • Consider the trials you’ve been through that have led to strength and growth.

• What happens when Simon gets distracted by the waves? 

  • When have the waves been overwhelming in your life that you lose sight? 

  • Notice that when Simon gets overwhelmed and begins to drown, it’s not him looking back at the right place that saves him.  It’s God reaching out to him that saves him. 

• For reference, the last scene combines two separate Biblical stories:  Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33) and Jesus calming on the storm (Mark 4:35-41).  Read each one.

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Episode 7

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• The episode opens with people celebrating the Festival of Purim.  It is celebrated every year in the early spring (it was early March in 2023).  It commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian empire from a plot to exterminate the Jewish people in a single day.  It is called “Purim,” which means “lots” in Persian, because the instigator Haman threw lots to determine when to carry out his plan.  He is thwarted by God working through Esther--this story is the topic of the Book of Esther.  During Purim, people tell the story in creative ways and celebrate the gift of life with joyous exchanges and celebrations.  Learn more about the full story and celebration at https://tinyurl.com/chosenpurim, or read the book of Esther in the Bible.

• Jewish prayer tassels are brought up in the episode.  They are called tzitzit.  They are strings tied to each of the four corners of a prayer shawl. It is commanded in Numbers 37: “Instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments . . . Look at it and recall all the commandments of the LORD and observe them, so that you do not follow your heart and eyes in your lustful urge. Thus you shall be reminded to observe all My commandments and to be holy to your God.”

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION

• What do you think about Judas (of all people) making packages of food for the homeless?  Serving the homeless is not something new to us, is it? 

• Andrew says, “Sometimes people respond better to stories better than teaching.”

  • Why do we relate better to stories and parables than explanations and lectures? 

  • How much of the Bible is made up of stories, and how much of it is lectures? 

  • How can we tell the stories of faith in our day? 

• The “story of the banquet,” Andrew and Philip told is recorded in Matthew 22:1-14. 

• Matthew mentions that he’s been studying the genealogy of Jesus, including the fact that there are quite a few gentiles, such as the prostitute Rahab and the Moabite woman Ruth. 

  • Read Matthew 1:1-17.  Who else stands out to you? 

• The flashback to Matthew’s past with the guy (also Matthew) who buys up his family’s debt is a fun one.  Why is that? 

  • He mentions that he is “ready to meet his maker...again.” 
    What does it take to have that kind of mentality?  Can you be faithful without it? 

  • He says, “These are the most valuable things I own . . . more valuable than gold, more precious than rubies . . .”  Mary later explains to Matthew:  “It wasn’t about the tassels.   They’re just a symbol.  That man wanted you to have his faith.  That was the last thing he had.  His most valuable thing in life.”  Why is faith so valuable to you?  How does it benefit you? 

• When talking to Matthew, Mary says, “Our lives are often painful, yes?  So we think is full of scarcity and not abundance.  But then there are those times when out of nowhere the world expresses it’s longing to be whole.  And suddenly God steps in.  And we are pulled out of our blindness and invited into redemption.”

  • When have you focused on what you don’t have, rather than what you do have?

  • What pulled you out of your blindness? 

• Simon explains the phrase shalom shalom: “Once means peace.  Twice means perfect peace.  Complete wholeness.”  When have you experienced shalom shalom? 

• When healing the deaf and mute man, Jesus says, “Ephatha, be opened” (Mark 7:31-37). 

  • When has God opened you up? 

  • What do you think of the man’s reactions to the birds (which no one else hears), he’s son’s
      voice, and his own voice?

• One of the Jews says, “Your deafness was no doubt punishment for some ghastly sin by you or your parents.”  Jesus replies, “It doesn’t work that way.”

  • How does it work?  Does God punish people for sin?  What is God’s response to sin (look to Jesus' response as you consider your answer).    

• The people who come from the Decapolis to see Jesus are:

  • Syrophoenicians - people from north of Israel and Judah, a mixed group of people who are monotheistic (they have one God), but don’t get along with the Jewish people

  • Nabataeans - an Arab tribe of this time who come from Jordan and the Arabian Peninsula

  • Jews who live in the Decapolis - who have adopted some Greek ways and might not be as observant and orthodox as those in Judah

• Suddenly Simon is doubting everything.  Why now?  Why does suffering cause us to doubt what has been clear as day previously? 

  • “I trusted Jesus . . . I trusted that Eden would be okay.  Safe while we were gone . . . I’m furious, John.  I’m so angry.  Look, he is who he says he is.  I don’t believe it.  I know it.  He is the first and the last.  He can do anything.  How could he let something like this happen to Eden, happen to me?!?”

  • Why is our suffering even harder and more painful believing in God, than having no faith at all?  Is it because of everything we give up?  Because God doesn’t work the way we want?  Or something else?

Episode 6

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• The episode opens with Pontius Pilate’s wife dreaming.

• The Decapolis is a cluster of 10 Roman cities around the border of Rome’s direct control (where you could be considered a Roman citizen) and their occupied territories (like Israel and Judah).  This is the city Andrew and Philip had gone to on their missionary journey, and that is referenced by Leander and John the Baptist’s disciples.

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THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION

• The scene when the disciples are sharpening all kinds of pointy objects is striking. 

  • Who or what are they afraid of?  Didn’t Jesus teach them to turn the other cheek? 

• Gaius is clearly conflicted by Quintas’ attitude and his duties.  How does he resolve that conflict? 

• Leander says that Philip and Andrew’s preaching has set the Decapolis on fire, causing political upheaval.  Why would preaching the Gospel, teaching that Jesus is the Messiah, and healing people impact politics? 

  • Should religion and politics be connected?  Separate?  Where’s the line? 

• At the end of the conversation between Mary and Tamar, Mary says, “I judged your strength against my weakness.  Pitied myself.”  Why do we dislike people who seem stronger, richer, or “better” than we are? 

  • How does listening to Tamar’s story change Mary’s attitude? 

  • How can we listen and learn better in our world today?

• What do you make of Pontius Pilate in The Chosen?  Are you surprised by how young he is? 

• When Simon tells the other Zealots about the Messiah bringing the Kingdom of Heaven, they point to a Roman soldier (Gaius), and they imply that if the Romans are still around, the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t there yet. 

  • Shortly after, John the Baptist’s disciples asks, “We have heard our former comrades Andrew and Philip have gone to the Decapolis.  Is that where you are planning to launch the revolution to overthrow Rome?”  Jesus: “I have something in mind for the Decapolis, and it will be revolutionary, but probably not in the way that you are thinking.”

  • Many people thought the Messiah would force out the Romans and reestablish Judah.

  • If the Messiah isn’t there to do that, what IS the Kingdom of Heaven?  For a clue, pay attention to what the Roman soldier (Gaius) is doing when they point to him. 

• John the Baptist’s disciples wonder why, if Jesus is proclaiming release to prisoners, is John still in prison, holding back his ministry.  Why doesn’t God to more to support those who support God?  Why isn’t the church today flourishing with lots of people and resources?

• Jesus says, “Proclaiming liberty to the captives can mean more than just freeing inmates.  There are many kinds of captivities that keep people.”  What does he mean?

  • What holds you captive?  (If your answer is “sin,” be specific of what specific sin.)

• Jesus says, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the mute speak, and the poor have the Good News preached to them.  Blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

  • How does this answer John’s question about whether Jesus is the Messiah?  How is it related to the earlier question about the Kingdom of Heaven? 

• During his explanation to the crowd, Jesus seems kind of angry, especially when he looks at the rabbi questioning him.  Why do you think that is?  What is frustrating to him? 

• Many of Jesus’ words in this episode come directly from Matthew 11.  Consider reading it again directly from the Bible.  What is Jesus preaching against?  What is he preaching for (see verses 28-30)? 

• When Jesus talks about “wisdom,” he’s borrowing from Proverbs 8-9.  Read those two chapters.  Some have theorized this is an early reference to the Holy Spirit.  Who or what do you think is “Wisdom” or “Lady Wisdom”? 

• Jesus asks Shula, “Are you afraid to ask for healing?”  “Yes.”  “Do you believe I can heal you?”  “Yes.  Of course!”  “Then why haven’t you asked?”  “You have so much to do, Rabbi.  So many people need you more. . . You redeemed my friend.  Mary’s miracle was so clear to me, I didn’t need sight.”  “I know.  You see better than most people in this region.”

  • Do we downplay our own hurts because “others have it worse”?  Should we? 

  • After being healed, what is Shula afraid to see? 

• Why didn’t Barnaby want to be healed right away?  Why want this to be all about Shula?

• When Simon asks why Eden didn’t tell him about losing a baby, she says, “I didn’t want you to regret your choice, because what could be more important than [serving the Messiah?]  I thought that I could just keep it to myself. But I didn’t know the hurt would go on so long.”

  • Does serving God take precedence over taking care of ourselves and our loved ones?  Read Matthew 10:37-39 and Matthew 19:27-30.  How does following Jesus multiply relationships?

  • Why did Eden think she could keep her loss to herself?  What happens when think can carry it alone?  Do we ever benefit keeping things to ourselves?  When have you kept loss to yourself, only to make that hurt go on longer than expected? 

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Episode 5

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• Introductory warning...  This episode begins with loss.  Simply be aware that it could be triggering for some people.  If it is for you, it’s okay to take some time after the scene to process those emotions.  The female character at the center of the scene is Eden. 

• Some of the characters are wearing different clothes in this episode, and it switches scenes quickly.  If it’s helpful, here are the characters we see in the following scenes:

  • Simon and Eden, in their home

  • James and John, their father Zebedee, and their mother, in their home

  • Nathaniel and Thaddeus, on the road carrying water

  • Zebedee (father of James and John), Mary, Tamar, and Judas, in the olive grove

  • Simon and Gaias, at a well/cistern

  • Jairus and Yussif (who we now know is Joseph of Arimathea)

  • Jesus, Eden, Andrew, Matthew, Philip, Little John, sitting around a table at Eden’s house

  • Others begin to arrive and the stories begin to overlap, but it gets easier to identify people...

• When someone died, it was customary to pay people to weep and play the flute.  It was a way of showing how important the person was, and what a loss their death is.  The more you could afford, the more mourners, and thus, the bigger impact of their death.

• As we learned in Episode 4, Jewish law dictated that if someone touched a bleeding person (especially a bleeding woman) or a corpse, that person would become unclean until sundown, and must carry out certain washing rituals to cleanse themselves.  This is one reason why many people passed by the injured man in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

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THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION

• Zebedee (the father James and John) sells his boat so that he can buy and olive grove and start making oil. 

  • Why does he do this now?  What emotions do you witness happening in him?  Is this just a mid-life crisis, or is this something different? 

• What do you think about Simon and Gaius working together? 

  • What do they share in common?  How does that compare to their differences? 

• Did you imagine Gaius having a son?  A family?  Being a good guy?  Why not? 

  • There are several types of “bad guy” in the Bible.  Is this really fair for us to judge them in this way, or were they more complicated characters like us? 

  • What does that change about how we read the Biblical stories? 

• Why didn’t Simon take the time to ask Eden what is wrong?  Why didn’t she just tell him? 

  • How often do we all hold things in, or avoid the elephant in the room because it’s hard or because we’re too busy? 

• Jairus tells Yussef the he doesn’t have time for pity.  What do we need when we’re hurting or desperate?  Pity or compassion? 

  • Which do we usually give?

• Jesus’ face when the disciples don’t get his new wine in old wineskin metaphor is priceless.  Andrew says, “I will be the first to admit that I don’t get it”  How often do you struggle to really understand the things Jesus says and does?  How do we find help “getting it?” 

  • Simon later tells Gaius: “We [Jews] love riddles.  We call those ones metaphors.”  Why does God use metaphor so much?

• Simon objects to Gaius, “We have parties, too.”  Gaius responds, “From the look of it, they aren’t as fun as ours.”  Simon: “It depends on your definition . . . Another thing we have is prophesies.” 

  • Then Simon quotes Jeremiah:  “My people have committed two evils.  They have forsaken me, the Fountain of Living Waters.  And hewed out cisterns for themselves--broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” - Jeremiah 2:14

  • Gaias responds, : “It sounds like you’ve forsaken your god.”  How have we forsaken God?  (not the “godless” people not in church, or “those sinners,” but us, the faithful) 

• What happens when Veronica touches Jesus?

  • How would you have responded to Jesus’ questioning if you were her? 

• Jesus talks with Veronica:  “My daughter...  “I’m no one’s daughter anymore.”  “Look up.  Yes you are.  Daughter.  It wasn’t my piece of clothing that healed you . . . It was your faith.”

  • What do you think about Jesus tearing up in this part?

  • What does it mean for our faith to make us well?  What can faith do or not do for us? 

  • Why is faith so deeply important to Jesus?

• Jesus says to Veronica, “You have blessed me today.  And I know, my daughter, I know it has been a fight for you for so long.  You must be exhausted.  Go now in peace.  Your faith has made you well.  I wish I could stay longer, but I have business to attend to.  Someone else has faith like yours.  I am so glad that we found each other.”  How did she bless Jesus?

  • Can you imagine Jesus looking into your eyes and thanking you for trusting in Him? (Read Hebrews 11:6)

• Jesus:  “Do not be afraid.  Only believe.  She will be well.”

  • Why is it so difficult to believe and trust Jesus?  What are we used to expecting?  Why? 

  • What should we be able to expect?

• Why are the disciples dumbfounded by what happens raising Jairus’ daughter? 

  • Are you still ever surprised by what God does in your life? 

• Jesus says, “It is not yet time for the commotion that will result.  Some of it won’t be good.  And you don’t need that.”

  • None of them are to tell anyone what happened (not even to the others).  Why not?

• As the episode ends, Eden is watching the disciples play in the water. How does it make you feel when you see others celebrating when you yourself cannot?

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Episode 4

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• This episode is labeled as Part 1 of 2.  Although the story will continue and deepen in the second part in episode 5, it is self-contained.  We’ll be fine watching and discussing them separately. 

• When the episode opens in black and white, and you can’t hear their talking very well, know that it’s not your TV/computer.  That’s just the cinematic effect they chose for this part. 

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION

• When you see the disciples pulling something out of their bag, touching people (or in Matthew’s case, flinging it at them), that is anointing oil.  Read James 5:13-16.

  • What difference does anointing with oil make? 

  • What difference do your prayers make? 

  • Who are the “elders of the church” entrusted with this ministry?  Are you? 

• What are your first impressions of the disciples preaching and healing? 

  • What does it stir in you? 

  • What do you make of their own reactions to what they do? 

  • What do you make of other peoples’ reactions to the disciples? 

• The Rabbi drones on while reading scripture about discharge, dead bodies, and ritual cleansing.  Does worship ever feel this way to you?  Why or why not? 

  • What might be the cure to church droning? 

  • What do you bring to worship that leads you to zone out or contribute to the spirit of worship?

• Note the tone of the conversation between the people and the Roman officials about the cistern.  This is pretty typical for the time (and maybe ours, too). 

  • Why are both so loathe to take responsibility?  Why do we have civic relationships like this in our world? 

  • When something we depend on “breaks,” we feel powerless. What has left you feeling powerless or at your wit’s end lately?

• What are your first impressions of Veronica?

  • “Veronica” doesn’t actually appear in the Bible, but she is mentioned in Christian tradition and lore.  Do you know what for?  Do you know where that lore comes from?

• The women discuss how to support the ministry, as does Zebedee.  Ministry costs money.

  • Why do our finances cause such stress? Why does it cause joy for Zebedee? 

  • What must be sacrificed at times for ministry?  What can be joyfully given? 

• When they get back together, the disciples discuss their experience:  “He didn’t give us power.  He worked through us.”  “By using us as vessels, Jesus gave us power, but no understanding.”  “I also struggled to understand.”  “We healed, but we still felt overwhelmed.” “But did he require understanding?”

  • When have you felt like God was calling you to do something, but you didn’t understand what you were supposed to do or how you were supposed to do it?  How did it turn out?

  • What can help you trust God to provide in future times like this? 

• Little John said, “When I was preaching, I could feel him, giving me the words.”
  James replied, “I said things that I don’t comprehend or live by. I felt like a fraud.”

  • Which of these sentiments do you feel most often?  Why? 

  • Can you understand the other sentiment? 

• Big John said, “I felt powerful, like I could do anything,” to which Philip replied, “Yes, John, but isn’t that dangerous?  If that is the feeling we hold onto?” 

  • How can our feelings of self-importance distract or disrupt us?  Can feeling like God is “on our side” lead us to use our power to hurt others?  Can you give an example? 

• Andrew asks Eden (his sister-in-law): “Are you alright?”  She replies, “I’m fine.”

  • How often do we answer people’s questions with, “I’m fine,” when we’re really not?

  • How often does the other person want the true answer (did Andrew)?  How often are we afraid to give the true answer? 

• What do you make of the standoff between Eden and Simon? 

  • Simon lashes out at Jesus, “So this is what it’s going to be like now?”  How does the tension in your relationships sometimes spill over and impact others?  Or vice versa? 

  • It’s clearly difficult for Simon and Eden to just stop their discussion when everyone shows up.  How hard is it for you when you are going through something and suddenly have to stuff it all down and be “fine.” 

• When Eden and Veronica are talking about how she’s been hemorrhaging for 12 years, she says it makes her weak, that she is unmarried, and “un-everything.”  How would you feel in her position? 

  • Eden asks, “So what do you do with no hope?”  She replies, “I haven’t lost all hope. There’s no cure by doctors. But there might be something I haven’t done yet.” 

  • What is hope?  How is it different than optimism? 

  • What causes us to lose hope?  What gives us hope? 

• Simon tells Gaius he’s never seen him without a sword.  Gaius tells Simon he’s never seen him without his exasperating teacher.  We find out that Gaius’ grandfather was a sailor, who taught him sailing knots.  And Simon seems “like the sort of man that needs to be doing something with his hands.”

  • Are Romans regular people, too?  Aren’t they the bad guys in the Bible? 

  • Are disciples (or pastors, or Christians) regular people, too?  Can they be complex, and not always saintly? 

• Gaius says, “You Jews.  Your rules make your lives very complicated.”  Simon replies, “Us Jews . . . Well, Jesus will undo some of that.  He reminds us what we live for.”  Gaius continues, “Well, they say he performs miracles, or the appearance of miracles.  Why doesn’t he just miraculously fix this cistern?”

  • Why doesn’t Jesus just miraculously fix the stuff in our lives that we are powerless over? 

  • Are they really powerless?  How is God working to get the cistern fixed in spite of civic difference?  How is God working in your life when you feel powerless? 

  • What do our rituals and our God remind us that we’re living for?  How does that change how we live?

• The episode ends with some questions up in the air.  What do you think will happen with:

  • Veronica?

  • Jairus’ daughter?

  • The cistern?

  • If your answer is “because the Bible says...” think about why you come to expect things to work out in the end.  Read Romans 8:18-30. 

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Episode 3

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• The episode opens with people playing with kids.  It is a flashback to the past, of a young Jesus with his parents Mary and Joseph. 

• The next scene has arriving back home in Nazareth, where he grew up and his mother lives. 

• It is Rosh Hashanah, which in Hebrew means “head of year.”  It is the Jewish new year. 
  This holiday happens in late summer/early autumn, and begins a ten-day period of penitence culminating in Yom Kippur. 

  • The shofar (a hollowed-out ram's horn) is blown throughout the day as a wake-up call for Jews to mend their ways and repent.

  • People would eat sweet foods like sweet bread and apples dipped in honey, hoping to evoke a sweet new year.

• At the festival (15:00 in), we meet Rafi and Dinah again, who were the ones getting married when Jesus turned water into wine. 

• We also meet Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. 

• Later in the episode, there is another flashback to a time when Jesus is young, with his earthly father Joseph.  The passage Jesus is learning to read is from Isaiah 61. 

• The name “Jesus bar Joseph” means “Jesus son of Joseph” in Hebrew. 

• When Jesus reads the scripture, he wears to prayer shawl and uses a pointer to follow the text, as was Jewish custom when reading in worship. 

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THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION

• In their conversation, Jesus makes reference to James and Jude.  These were his younger brothers (Matt. 12:46, Mark 3:31, Luke 8:19, John 7:5).  Paul refers to “James, the Lord’s brother” in Galatians 1:18-19.  There is also speculation that the author of the epistle of Jude, who identifies himself as the "brother of James,” is another sibling of Jesus.

  • What do you think about the idea that Jesus had siblings?  What do you think their relationship would have been like?

  • Why might it be difficult for them now to be around him and the attention he’s getting? 

• It is clear that Joseph has died.  While the Bible doesn’t actually say that, he’s never again present after the episode with Jesus lost in the temple at 12 years old. 

  • What difference does it make to consider that Jesus lost his earthly father at a young age?

  • What do you think Jesus (and therefore God) understands about death and loss? 

• Jesus talks several times in the episode that his “time is coming.”  What do you think he means by that? 

• Mary seems to know exactly what’s happening when Jesus asks for “the box” and that he won’t be coming back. 

  • How much do you think Mary knew?  Did she know that Jesus was the Messiah? 

  • How does this compare with your experience of the Christmas song, “Mary, did you know?”

  • What do you think it was like for her? 

• What do you make of Jesus’ relationship with Lazarus?  His other childhood friends? 

  • What do you think of him playing a game?  Does that sound like the Messiah you know?  Why or why not? 

  • How much do you think Jesus (and therefore God) understands about play?  Friendship? Childhood?  Being as “once awkward teenager” (as he describes himself)? 

• Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2:  The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor.” 

  • They note that he omits Verses 2b-4: “and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.” 

  • What do you think these words meant to the people headed into exile in Isaiah’s day?

  • What do you think they meant to the people in Jesus’ day?

  • What do you think they mean to us today? 

• Jesus references two stories of prophets performing miracles for outsiders, while not doing so for the people of Israel:

  • Elijah visits the Widow of Zarapheth, and provides unending food - 1 Kings 17:8-16

  • Elisha heals Naaman, a general in the enemy army, of leprosy - 2 Kings 5:1-19

• When Jesus talking about the year of Jubilee, he is referring the Jewish tradition of a Jubilee year.  It is every 50th year, when Hebrew slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven, and the mercies of God would be particularly manifest. 

  • What do you think Jesus means that he is here to proclaim the release of “spiritual debt”? 

• Jesus says, “If you do not realize that you need a year of the Lord’s favor, then I cannot save you.”

  • What do you think Jesus means by this? 

  • Is God’s power limited?  In other words, is there anything God cannot do? Does that influence how we understand this line? 

• The rabbi asks, “Who do you think you are?”  Jesus responds, “I AM the Law of Moses”

  • Where else have you heard God/Jesus say “I am”?  Do a little research on Jesus’ “I am” statements, especially in the Gospel of John.  How is this a loaded statement? 

• The punishment for claiming to prophesy falsely is stoning, being hurled off cliff. 

  • Why do they let him go? 

  • What is the significance of him calling them each by name before they do?

  • How does this “close” encounter with Jesus impact him? 

• Is Jesus in control of his destiny or not?  Or is it some hybrid? 

  • What difference does it make? 

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Episode 2

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• The episode opens on the outskirts of Capernaum, a small city (of about 1,500) on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  This is the city where Matthew, Simon, Andrew, James, and John are from.  Jesus performed several miracles there.  

• Recall that Simon the Zealot (sometimes called “Z” in this episode) got that name because he was once part of a group of religious revolutionaries called the Zealots.  Their intent was to purge Israel and Judah of the Romans.

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• In the conversation with his father, Matthew talks about how much he loved affluence, being separated from people by bars and a booth, and having an armed escort.  

  • Comfort is not inherently a bad thing, but we can use it to wall off the world.  

  • What comforts do you enjoy?  Which ones wall you off from others, or keep you from following God’s will?  

• Matthew’s father also asks for forgiveness, for saying things he never should have.  

  • A wise pastor once said, “Conflict is inevitable, combat is optional.”  What does this mean for human relationships?

  • How does Matthew’s confession open door for his father’s confession and their reconciliation?  When both parties have done wrong, how hard is it to ask forgiveness first?  Can you be that person in your relationships?

  • Matthew’s mother insists his father should say that he forgives him.  He assumes he had (he hadn’t).  How important is it to say those words out loud?  

• What do you think about Simon flirting with his wife?  Is it “appropriate” for a Bible figure?

  • How does this humanizing of Simon Peter change your perception of him?  

• Eden recalls Jesus telling her that he sees her, and that she has a role to play in all of this.  She tells Simon that it gets her through most days.  How does God seeing you get you through the day?  What difference does it make?  

  • Eden does confess that sometimes she can’t remember what Jesus’ face looks like.  How is that struggle similar to our own?  What difference does it make?  How do we cope?  

• Jesus says, there are many people, “in need of rescue, and you are going to help me rescue them...  It is not sustainable for me to do all of the preaching, all the healing, and ministering...  And there will be many more followers, and like those not here, all will have roles and responsibilities.”

  • What are your roles and your responsibilities in helping Jesus with his ministry?  

• To the gathered apostles, Jesus says, “You will proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.  And while you are on this mission, you will heal the sick and the lame, by anointing them with oil.  You will cast out demons, and . . . What?  Why are you all looking at me like that?”

  • Is that how you imagined this conversation went?  Why or why not?  What does this depiction make you think about it now?  

  • How do you see yourself in some of their responses?

• When the apostles share their apprehension, Jesus says, “Don’t fear those who kill the body, but those who can kill the soul...  There will come a time when this will get far more difficult... At that time you will know what it means to actually give up your life.”

  • How risky do you think this all really was?  How risky is following Jesus for you?  

  • Jesus continues, “For this journey at least, I want you to learn what it means to fully rely on your Father in heaven, as well as those around you, and those whom you serve.  And for food, Big James.  And for your life, John.  This is what it means to follow.  And to lead.”

  • When have you had to fully rely on God and the people around you?  What was it like?  How did you get through it?  What did you learn from it?  

• “Listen to me.  None of you is what you were.  Remember that.  All of you...  I am confident that the two of you [Simon the Zealot and Matthew] will do and say great things because of your pasts.”

  • How often does your past impact your feeling worthy for being used by God?

  • How might your past be a resource for serving God and other people?  

• Simon Peter and Eden begin making plans for a family.  However, that’s put on hold when the disciples are sent out.  

  • What does this say about how God can interrupt our hopes and plans?  Is it forever?  How should we respond when that happens?

  • Jesus does, however, arrange for Thomas to journey near Gafni, Ramah’s father.  Do God’s plans always have to interrupt ours, or can they more often work in tandem?

• Little James’ conversation with Jesus about healing is intense:

  • “Why haven’t you [healed me]?”  “Because I trust you...  In the Father’s will, I could heal you right now.  And you’d have a good story to tell, yes?”  “Yes.  That you do miracles.”  “And that’s a good story...  But think of the story you will have, especially in this journey to come, if I don’t heal you.  To know how to proclaim that you still praise God in spite of this.  To know how to focus on all that matters, so much more than the body, to show people that you can be patient with your suffering here on earth because you know that you’ll spend eternity with no suffering.  Not everyone can understand that.” . . . “I know how easy it is to say the song of David, that I am beautifully and wonderfully made, but it doesn’t make this any easier, or this group, it doesn’t make me feel any less of a burden.” . . . “So many people need healing in order to believe in me.  Or they need healing because their hearts are so sick.  That doesn’t apply to you.  And many are healed or not healed because the Father in Heaven has a plan for that, which is maybe a mystery... So hold on a little longer.  And when you discover yourself finding true strength because of your weakness, and when you find yourself doing great things in spite of this, the impact will last for generations...  And remember, James, you will be healed.  It’s only a matter of time.”

  • What do you take from this exchange?  What nerves does it touch for you?  

  • I admit that I (Pastor Mike) have mixed feelings.  I like the scene, but I struggle with a few of the lines added to The Chosen that suggest God doesn’t heal people so that God can “use” them.  God does not use and abuse us the way a bad friend might use people.  I believe God uses our gifts, passions, and experiences to do great and wonderful things, but that God does this without withholding goodness or causing pain.  God uses our pains to bring good, but there’s a fine line between using them for good and causing (or perpetuating) them for good.  Although I wish this scene played out differently, I loved how Jesus talked about the “story” Little James has to tell.  I wish it would have focused there even more--that we can still trust God and praise God even when our lives aren’t perfect (physically or emotionally), that our value is not determined by the abilities or disabilities of our bodies and minds, but by the God who can bring good out of anything.  I love that Jesus trusted Little James to be faithful without needing kickback healings.  

• “This is what we signed up for.  We might not have known it at that time, but we go where he sends us.”

  • Where has God unexpectedly sent you in your life, even though you didn’t know at the time where it was headed?  

• Simon begins reciting Psalm 3 at the end of the episode.  King David wrote this psalm while fleeing Absolom, one of his sons, who raised an army and led a rebellion against his father.  

  • Read Psalm 3.  When have you felt as David did?  What was the end result for David?  For you?  

  • What is the value of having scripture memorized so that you can recite it pivotal moments in your life?

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Episode 1

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BACKGROUND NOTES

• This episode begins with a flashback about a year or more into Matthew’s past.  

• After the flashback, we return to present, with Jesus preaching the Sermon on the Mount (which he was preparing at the end of Season 2).  

• Can't remember who everyone is?  Download this PDF character guide!

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• In the opening scene, Matthew says, “Can you name one thing Adonai (God) has done for our people in the past 100 years?  The past 500 years?”

  • Do these words resonate with you sometimes?  When?  

  • What has God actually done for us in the past 100 years?  

  • What has God actually done for you in your life?  

• While Jesus is preaching the sermon on the mount, it zooms in on several of the disciples:

  • Why do you think it focuses on each of these characters for those particular quotes?  

    • ​“If you are odds with a brother or sister...” - Matthew

    • “Do not worry...” - Andrew

    • “Do not resist the one who is evil, and if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other...” - Simon the Zealot

    • “Love your enemy...” - Roman investigator

    • “Pray for those who persecute you...” - Simon

    • “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors...” - Mary Magdalene

  • How was Jesus speaking to them, even as he was speaking to everyone?  

  • What does Jesus say in this sermon speaks to you?

• John the Baptist told Andrew, “In all that he said to those thousands of people, there was something just for you. There always is.”

  • How have you experienced that when reading the words of Jesus, or hearing sermons?

• Jesus said to Judas: “I only require what other rabbis do--that you seek to be like me . . . But that will be much more difficult with me than with other rabbis, I can assure you.  Are you ready to do hard things?”  

  • What do you think he means by this?  

  • What hard things have you had to do following as a disciple of Jesus?  

• Several times in the episode as people greet each other or depart, they say, “Shalom.”  

  • This is the Hebrew word for “peace,” but it means much more in Hebrew.  Check out this video to learn more about what it means: https://youtu.be/oLYORLZOaZE.  

  • Why do you think they use this greeting?  

• Over and over in this episode, people are thanking each other--Jesus thanking the disciples, Simon thanking Andrew for connecting him to Jesus, Mary thanking Andrew for his apology, etc.  

  • Why is saying thank you out loud so important?  

  • What difference does it make for the thanker?  The one being thanked?

• Later in the episode at Mary Magdalene’s house, she, Remah, and Tamar are talking about Joanna (the rich woman).  They theorize about her motives, if she’ll come back, and more.  

  • What do you think about their conversation?  Was is constructive or just gossip?  

  • How have you seen women harsher to each other than to their male counterparts?   

  • You will get bonus points at our gathering if you can find Joanna in the Bible.  

• When Matthew is confused, Mary Magdalene says, “You’re doing really good, Matthew.  Everything is new.  It’s okay to make a mistake.”  

  • When have you had to do new things?  Who was the voice of God who encouraged you?  

  • Do you allow yourself to make mistakes?  

• Andrew apologizes to Mary for saying terrible things to her because he was scared, and she didn’t deserve it.  

  • What is the impact of confession for each of them?  What happens when we don’t apologize?  

  • Mary says that she doesn’t know how to respond to the apology. How should we respond when people apologize to us?