THE CHOSEN | Season 2 | Episode 1
August 13, 2024

Chosen-Season-2-Title-Screen.jpg

Episode 1: Thunder


MAIN IDEAS
The episode explores anger, ambition, and what it means to be chosen by God. We meet two brothers, James and John, nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” by Jesus, who are passionate and quick to anger. As they follow Jesus, he challenges their ideas about power, greatness, and a meaningful life, leading them from impulsiveness to a deeper understanding of what it truly means to follow him.


OPENER (5 Minutes)
What’s one thing that really fires you up—something you’re passionate about?


SCRIPTURE (10 Minutes)
Episode 1 covers the following scriptures:

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach
and to have authority to drive out demons.

These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. —Mark 3:13-19 (NIV)

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

“We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:35-45

As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.

When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village. —Luke 9:51-56


DISCUSSION (30 Minutes)

1. Identity and Ambition:

James and John are known as the “Sons of Thunder” for their fiery personalities. How do you see their ambition and drive in this episode?

Do you relate to their desire for significance
How does Jesus’ response to their ambitions challenge or encourage you in your own life?

2. Reacting to Rejection and Dealing with Anger:

When James and John are rejected by the Samaritan village, they want to retaliate. They ask Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village that rejected them.

How does Jesus’ response differ from what they expected?

How can we learn to respond to rejection or anger in the way Jesus teaches.

3. Understanding True Greatness:

Reflect on Mark 10:35-45, where James and John ask for positions of authority in Jesus’ kingdom.

How does Jesus redefine greatness and authority?

In a world that values power and success, how does this message speak to you?

Think about your workplace, home, or community. What would it look like to lead by serving others rather than seeking recognition?

4. The Call to Love and Forgive:

This episode highlights the importance of loving and forgiving others, even when wronged. How does this challenge the way you handle conflicts?

Can you share a time when choosing love and forgiveness made a significant difference in a difficult situation?


PAIR UP (10 Minutes)
Share a recent time you felt frustrated or angry. Discuss how you might approach it differently after seeing Jesus’ response in this episode.


CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK
This week, try responding to difficult situations with love, patience, and understanding, following Jesus’ example. Notice how this affects the outcome, your sense of peace, and reflect on how Jesus might be calling you to transform a specific area of your life.


CLOSING PRAYER

God, we thank You for the time we’ve spent together tonight, diving into the story of Your Son through the lens of ‘The Chosen.’ As we’ve reflected on the lives of James and John, the sons of thunder, we ask that You help us recognize the areas in our own lives where we need Your transforming power.

Lord, make us aware of the passions and desires that drive us, and guide us to use them in ways that honor You. Teach us to seek not just our will but Your will, and to be open to the ways You want to change and shape us into people who reflect Your love and grace.

Help us, as a community, to support one another on this journey. Let our lives be marked by humility, compassion, and a deep desire to follow Jesus more closely every day.



PREPARE FOR NEXT WEEK:

1. WATCH

The Chosen, Season 2: Episode 2 - “I Saw You”

2. READ

Psalm 102:1-2

John 1:43-51

John 21:25