Chosen - Introduction

What Is “The Chosen”

As people come in, have them sit in groups where they will feel comfortable talking!

The Chosen is a crowd-funded show that looks at the life of Jesus as told in the Gospels. It claims to be the most true to the bible version of any show/movie ever created.

Seasons 1-3 can be viewed on Netflix or at watch.thechosen.tv. There’s also a “Chosen” app where you can watch the show.

We’ll be reviewing the series 1 episode at a time… tell how it will work.

So What Do We Need To Know Going In?

We will be in both the NT AND OT!

Why would the bible study be both in the new and old testament?

Jesus is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 3:15! Scarlet thread! Noah, Abraham, 12 apostles mirrors 12 tribes of Israel, etc...

We will be bouncing back and forth between bible characters.

The primary players that I’ve encountered so far are Mary Magdalene (possessed by demons, traveled with Jesus, present at crucifixion, and first to empty tomb), Nicodemus (pharisee & member of Sanhedrin, influence in all areas of society, and theologically conservative), Matthew (Levi, tax collector for Roman Empire, indifferent to suffering of Jews, Capernaum resident [Jesus ministry starts here] and destroyed his apathy, disciple & gospel author), and Simon (Simon Peter, Capernaum resident, brother Andrew, Apostle, Author of 1&2 Peter, and bedrock preacher of early church)

Religious Leaders:

Pharisees - Scholars who interpreted the law to the masses. Connected to local synagogues and highly respected by the common people.

Sadducees - Professional religious aristocracy connected to the temple and committed to the written law alone. Submitted to Roman rule.

We will still be having discussions with each other!

What do you feel about the connections between the OT and the NT? How does Jesus factor into these connections?

How much of the bible have you actually read? What parts are you most attracted to, and why? What do you avoid, and why?

What comes to mind when you hear the words “chosen by God”? Do you find the notion comforting, confusing, merciful, unfair, or life-giving?

Who do you think are “The Chosen”?

OT Context

We will be studying themes that run through the bible and you’ve seen 1000x, but this time from the viewpoint of the people living it

Sin Cycle: Sin cycle: We see that God saved Israel over and over, but the Israelites wondered why God allowed them to be taken over. “You make us as numerous as the sand just to be taken into slavery? You lead us from slavery just to be lost in the desert? You give us land just for it to be taken by the Romans? etc...”

Enter Isaiah! Isaiah spoke to Israel when they were in the middle of one of these rebellions and issued scathing condemnation and warning about Israel’s tremendous sin and hardness of heart!

Questions

In what ways is your pattern of behavior like that of the OT nation of Israel?

Isaiah was tasked to be a mouthpiece of truth at a time when the people really didn’t want to hear it. in what ways are YOU/WE like Isaiah? In what ways are you not?

What thoughts and feelings does the phrase “God’s plan” evoke in you?

Jesus Is...

But after about 39 chapters of this condemnation, isaiah takes a turn and begins to speak words of comfort in Isaiah 40:1-5

Isaiah 40:1–5 CSB

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and announce to her that her time of hard service is over, her iniquity has been pardoned, and she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” 3 A voice of one crying out: Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert. 4 Every valley will be lifted up, and every mountain and hill will be leveled; the uneven ground will become smooth and the rough places, a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord will appear, and all humanity together will see it, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Through Isaiah, God spoke words of love over Israel during a time of rebellion - during a time of idol worship, wandering hearts, and intense callousness to sin and he delivered God’s message of hope… before their repentance!

Isaiah 40 has striking similarities to John the Baptist in Matthew 3.

Jesus is the hope spoken of in the OT and revealed in all His glory in the NT. The One through whom we all have hope. Hope that our sin cycle can be broken and our relationship with God restored.

Jesus is the WHOLE point of the WHOLE scripture because mankind needs saving, and has always needed saving, and Jesus is THE way to do it.

That’s what we’ll be covering in the coming weeks because (like people who came before us), in Jesus we find our true identity, purpose and hope.

Hebrews 1:1–3 CSB

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Further study

Luke 2:22–35 CSB

22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every firstborn male will be dedicated to the Lord) 24 and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons). 25 There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, 28 Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, 29 Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation. 31 You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. 33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Isaiah 49:6 CSB

6 he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”