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The Chosen Reading Plan – Week 6

It’s week 6 of our “The Chosen” reading plan! We hope these last several weeks have encouraged you and given you renewed vigor in your mission as a disciple of Christ. If you aren’t yet committed to be a disciple of Jesus, we hope that going through these readings and watching these episodes has been the encouragement you need to follow the one and only way, truth, and life (John 14:6).

If you’re behind, take the time and catch up. I guarantee you it’ll be worth it.

Day 1
Psalm 63:1
Psalm 104:31-34
Isaiah 40:3
Romans 8:27-39
Day 2
Matthew 8:1-4
Mark 1:35-45
Leviticus 13:45-46
Jesus heals a leper
Day 3
Luke 12:35-40
Genesis 49:8-12, 50:15-21 – the Jews didn’t recognize the Messiah just like Joseph’s brothers failed to recognize him
Luke 10:13-16
Keep your lamps burning
Day 4
Matthew 6:1-8
Luke 18:1-14
God knows what we need
Day 5
Mark 2:1-12
Luke 5:17-26
Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus heals the paralytic
Day 6
Watch Episode 6

Questions to consider:

Why is it so provocative that Jesus calls Matthew to follow him? How might that Romans 8 passage apply to that, and how does it apply to you?

Leprosy was a disease which the Jews supposed to be inflicted for the punishment of some particular sin, and to be, more than other diseases, a mark of God’s displeasure; and therefore Christ, who came to take away sin, and turn away wrath took particular care to cleanse the lepers that fell in his way. Jesus’s apostles were amazed when they saw the leper healed. Do we still see the works of God with amazement? If not, are we following Him close enough to see them?

Concerning the Luke 12 passage, we need to keep our lamps burning! Matthew told Gaius in this episode, “Conquest is not simply conquering nations but imposing a way of life.” What parallel is there between this statement to Jesus’s purpose as well as this scripture?

Simon doesn’t understand why Jesus asked him to join him. Do you ever wonder why Jesus asked me to join Him? How does Simon figure out his purpose? How can you figure out yours?

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Being Salty

Jesus called us to be salty. What could he have possibly meant by that? In modern-day, the term being salty is look at as such a put down for having a bad attitude, but what did Jesus mean when he said it?

We look at salt today as a mere seasoning to sprinkle on food to make it flavorful. Yes, in biblical times they used salt to season food, but it was so much more than that. They used salt for seasoning, preservation, disinfectant, for ceremonial offerings, and for a unit of exchange.  Jesus was so intelligent he spoke to them in ways he knew they would understand. Salt was such a great part of their daily life.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” – Matthew 5:13

Jesus tells his followers: You are the salt. God sees us as the most precious thing in the world. We are so valuable and we preserve this world. We should be a preserving fruitful influence on the world. Without our fruitful influence, the world would spoil with evil. God calls us to preserve the goodness of this world.

Jesus also tells us to be full of flavor.  “But if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled.”  

In biblical times, if salt lost its flavor or preserving abilities, they threw it away on the streets and it would be walked on, because what good to them was it? None.

Jesus is warning us as Christians, if we lose our flavor (fruitful influence) in this world, we are no longer valuable for His Kingdom.    

No longer valuable for His Kingdom… That’s not a place I want to find myself, and I’m sure you don’t either.

So how can you be the salt of the earth? Constantly pursue a relationship with God! A relationship requires interaction. This is done by reading His Word and speaking to Him openly and honestly through prayer.  We are here to be the salt of the world, a blessing to His people. We cannot do this without showing them absolute love as He did.

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The Chosen Reading Plan – Week 5

We hope you are enjoying this series so far as we start week 5 today!

Day 1
Exodus 23:14
Deuteronomy 16:16
Luke 2:41-52
Passover Feast
Day 2
Proverbs 30:4
Luke 3:2-9
John 1:19-24
John 10:40-42
Matthew 17:11-13
Preparing the way for the Lord
Day 3
1 Kings 19:19-21
2 Kings 2:11-15
Matthew 13:44-46      
Luke 9:57-62
Don’t look back!
Day 4
Exodus 15:1-21
Jeremiah 33:10-14
Psalm 118:22-24
Isaiah 28:16-19
Rejoice, praise, and thanksgiving
Day 5
John 2:1-11
The wedding at Cana
Day 6
Watch Episode 5

Questions to Consider:

John is the only gospel to tell the story of water into wine. What do you think John wanted to relay by noting this passage? What does it relate to you?

In this episode, both Peter and Mary the Mother of Jesus urge Jesus to make himself known. What do you think were their motives, and why was Jesus moved by Mary and not Peter’s approach?

Nicodemus is uncomfortable, in every aspect of the word, talking to John, yet as he notes, it is through his discomfort that he even sought John. What does this suggest about our spiritual Journey?

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The Chosen Reading Plan – Week 4

The fourth week of reading through and watching The Chosen is here! See our previous posts if you need to catch up.

Day 1
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
John the baptizer’s birth
Day 2
John 1:19-42
Matthew 3:1-17
John the baptizer’s ministry, Andrew and Simon
Day 3
Genesis 26:1-5
Hebrews 11:8-12
Matthew 16:13-20 (Peter <later> ultimately gives a confession of Jesus as the Messiah)
Peter recalls this promise of God as he questions his faith
Day 4
Matthew 13:44-52
Matthew 25:31-46
Matthew 13:13-17
The dragnet of the Kingdom
Day 5
Luke 5:1-11 (Isaiah 6:5 reflects Peter’s humble response to Jesus)
Matthew 4:17-22
Mark 1:14-20
Fishers of men
Day 6
Watch Episode 4

Questions to consider:

1. I think we can all relate to Simon in a way. We all have various stresses, deadlines, and are pulled between right and wrong. How can you personally relate to his predicament?

2. John the Baptist is referred to as a “loud man in camel skin” by the Pharisees, who were upset at the questioning of their authority. Does Nicodemus seem to begin to realize what is going on at this point? 

3. Simon is at first in doubt upon hearing the news of the Messiah. Have you ever struggled with doubt? How did you find God during your time of doubt?

4. Jesus performs the miracles of the catching of fish, which solves Simon’s biggest stress. When has Jesus come into your life and poured down his grace and love when you least expected it? How?

5. Did you see Jesus’ look when Peter and Andrew were hauling in the massive amount of fish, knowing they were having a breakthrough moment in their faith? How do you think Jesus looks at us when we also have those moments?

Other passages to check out:

Title of the episode based on Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Messiah – Matthew 16:13-20

A later miraculous catch, possibly serving as a renewal and restoration for Peter after his denial – John 21:1-19

Later passages on John the baptizer – Matthew 11:1-19, Matthew 14:1-12

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The Chosen Reading Plan – Week 3

We’re in our third week of reading through and watching The Chosen. See our previous posts if you need to catch up!

Day 1
Matthew 18:1-6
Matthew 19:13-15
Mark 10:13-16
Luke 18:15-17
(Jesus and the little children)
Day 2
Matthew 4:2
Luke 9:57-58
John 1:14
John 4:6
John 19:28
1 John 4:2
(humanity (and humility) of Jesus)
Day 3
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (the Shema)
Matthew 22:36-40 (the Greatest Commands)
2 Kings 2:23-24 (story Jesus was telling the children)
Day 4
Psalm 133:1-3 (song Jesus was singing with the children)
Daniel 7:13-14 (the everlasting Kingdom)
Isaiah 9:6-7 (the everlasting Kingdom)
Romans 12:9-21 (“Vengeance is mine, says the Lord”)
Day 5
Luke 4:18-19
Isaiah 61:1-2
1 Thessalonians 2:6-12
(The mission and community)
Day 6
Watch Episode 3

Questions to consider:

Jesus was an artisan/builder (Greek = tekton) as was his earthly dad (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3), but his “job” was never his mission. What should we take from this?

The children had such a pure and perceptive outlook (“maybe he is a prophet…”). Jesus said we should receive the Kingdom like a child—what should that look like for us?

Abigail had zero qualms at all inviting all of her friends to meet Jesus. What about you?

Why did the Jews think their Messiah would come to lead them against the Roman government?