The Chosen Season 3 Episodes 1 & 2: Questions to Discuss Before the Premiere
Updated: Jun 1
The wait is over! Episodes 1 & 2 of The Chosen Season 3 have premiered. The questions below were written prior to the release of Episodes 1 & 2, based on the Scripture we could see in the trailer. Since then I've written comprehensive guides for exploring episode 1 and episode 2 of The Chosen Season 3. If you're going to discuss The Chosen Season 3 with your group, I'd suggest using the questions below during an intro session and then using my other discussion guides while watching the actual episodes. The first two episodes of The Chosen Season 3 were pretty Scripture-heavy, so there's still plenty to discuss!
The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 Discussion Questions: The Sermon on the Mount
Over the course of The Chosen Season 2, we see Jesus and his disciples preparing for the Sermon on the Mount, but Episode 8 of Season 2 cuts off right before Jesus begins to teach. Based on the trailers for The Chosen Season 3, it appears that we will get significant portions of Jesus' teaching. Instead of getting one long cut of the entire sermon, my guess is that we'll see flashbacks to the sermon intercut with events that happen afterward.
There's in the Sermon on the Mount for you to discuss with your family, friends, or group. Indeed, an in-depth Bible Study and discussion could easily span an entire semester. In order to dovetail with the themes of The Chosen Season 3, however, I would suggest focusing your time on just two passages: Jesus' teaching on retaliation/enemies (Matthew 5:38-48) and his teaching on worry (Matthew 6:24-34).
Discussing Retaliation & Enemies
To begin your conversation, I'd make a couple observations:
Season 2 of The Chosen ended just before Jesus began his famous Sermon on the Mount. In Season 3, we may not get the entire sermon, but we'll probably be able to listen to important moments. The show will probably use the sermon to highlight key lessons that the disciples need to learn in order follow Jesus and spread his message.
During Season 3 of The Chosen, the enemies of Jesus will begin making life much more difficult for the disciples and their families.
One of Jesus' most famous teachings from the Sermon on the Mount is about how to respond to our enemies when they hurt us and insult us.
Now ask someone to read the passage:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:38-48, ESV)
After reading, ask your group:
How does Jesus invite us to respond to our enemies and other people who hurt us?
In our current culture, we're encouraged to view people with different political views as our enemies. Why is it difficult to apply this teaching to politics? How are we tempted to respond to our political opponents?
Why does Jesus want us to love our enemies?
Discussing Worry
To continue your conversation, I'd make a couple more observations:
When our enemies make life difficult for us, it can be tempting to retaliate. Over the course of Season 3 of The Chosen, we'll see Jesus' disciples struggling with this same temptation.
There's another temptation that we face when life gets difficult. We try to seize control, and when we lose control, we're tempted to worry.
During Season 3 of The Chosen, life will feel out of control for many of Jesus' disciples and they'll be tempted to worry.
Instead of worrying, Jesus calls his disciples to a different way.
Now ask someone to read the passage:
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:24-34, ESV)
After reading, ask your group:
What are some things that you are tempted to worry about?
Why do we worry?
What are some reasons that Jesus gives us to not worry?
If we find ourselves struggling with worry and anxiety, do we need to feel guilty?
What are some helpful ways we can respond to moments of anxiety?
The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 Discussion Questions: The Commissioning of the Twelve
To continue your conversation, you can point out:
One reason that the disciples will face increased opposition is because they're going to be playing a more active role in the ministry of Jesus.
At the end of The Chosen Season 2, we saw the disciples begin to play a more active role in ministry by planning the Sermon on the Mount.
In The Chosen Season 3, the disciples will play an even more significant role in ministry. Instead of simply bringing people to Jesus, the disciples will be bringing the message of Jesus to communities that Jesus hasn't visited.
Jesus offers his disciples special wisdom for the challenges they will face as they go on mission.
Now ask someone to read the passage:
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:16-22, ESV)
After reading, ask your group:
When we go on mission to share the message of Jesus, what are some dangers that we face?
How does Jesus call us to respond to those who oppose his message?
What promise does Jesus offer to strengthen and encourage us?
The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 Discussion Questions: The Aaronic Blessing
Home stretch! To begin the final segment of your conversation, point out:
Jesus offers us more than wisdom to face the challenge of opposition. He also offers us the blessing of God's favor and presence.
In ancient Israel, God provided Moses with a special prayer to extend his favor and presence. This prayer was used for centuries by Priests to bless the people of Israel.
Now ask someone to read the passage:
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27, ESV)
After reading, ask your group:
When God sees you, what do you think his face looks like?
What do you think it looks like for God to bless us and be gracious to us even when we're facing opposition?
Are there particular situations in life right now where you feel a need for God's blessing and grace?
Hopefully these questions are useful as you prepare to go to The Chosen Season 3 premiere with your family, church, or youth group. You can either use them in a conversation before the premiere or after it. If you do, please let me know how it went in the comments below or on Twitter.
The Chosen Season 3 FAQ
How many seasons of The Chosen are there?
The Chosen has three seasons. The third season is currently ongoing.
When does The Chosen Season 3 come out? When is The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 release date?
Season 3 of The Chosen will be released on Friday, November 18 in theaters.
How can I watch The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1? Where can I watch The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1?
On opening weekend, you can watch The Chosen Season 3 in theaters.
Where can I watch The Chosen Season 3 for free?
After the initial in-person release window, The Chosen Season 3 will be released for free on The Chosen App (Google / Apple). The Angel website says that Season 3 will be available for streaming on December 11.
What Bible passages are The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 and Episode 2 based on? What Scripture references will be in The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1?
The Chosen Season 3 Episode 1 will feature Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the commissioning of the twelve disciples (Matthew 10), the Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:22-27), and Psalm 3.
Further Reading
An adaptation like The Chosen isn't meant to replace the Bible; it's meant to drive us deeper into the Bible and spiritual reflection. The 40 Days with Jesus series helps readers connect what they watch in The Chosen with the Gospel stories that they're based on and then engage in spiritual reflection.
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There is a prayer that the disciples pray at the end of Episode 2 Season 3 as they are spending their last night together before going out 2 x 2. Do you know where this is from?