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YOU ARE CHOSEN!
KGPC Fall 2023 Worship Series
Join us as we embark on an 8-week journey to encounter Jesus using the first season of the series “The Chosen,” the first-ever crowd-funded, multi-season series about the life of Christ and the unlikely people whose lives he turned upside down. You will be invited to watch each episode and join in a LIFE group as we gain a broader understanding of the probable context and backstory of many biblical characters. Jesus chose each of them to follow him, and chooses YOU, too. “You Are Chosen” will bring many of the early stories about Jesus’ ministry to life as we relate them to our lives today. So come, sit at the feet of Jesus, watch him in his early ministry, and hear his invitation to you, “Come. Follow me.”
October 1 The Wedding Gift John 2:1-11
Jesus and his 7 disciples, six male and one female, travel with him to a wedding in Cana where they meet his mother. Though not in scripture, Thomas is the coordinator of the wedding along with a daughter of a vineyard owner. When the wine runs out, Jesus’ mother asks for her son’s help. Thomas is one of the few that sees (but doesn’t understand) the miracle that takes place. Jesus tells Thomas, “Join me and I will show you a new way of counting and measuring.” How has this episode given you a new perspective of this miracle?
Reflection Questions: How would you describe the way Thomas is depicted in this episode? Jesus reassures Thomas that while it's good to ask questions, we won't always understand, or even get, the answers. How do you deal with unanswered questions? Have you ever witnessed something you couldn’t logically explain? Why do you think Jesus performed this miracle even though he said his time had not yet come?
October 8 If You Are Willing… Mark 1:40-2:12
Both the leper and the friend of a paralytic plead with Jesus to heal, if he is willing. Their strength of faith is evident. In both instances Jesus is willing. In the first instance he tells the leper not to say anything to anyone about his healing. Why? The second time he heals in front of a crowd. Do you believe Jesus still heals today? What is the role of faith in healing? Is there ever at time Jesus is not willing to heal?
Reflection Questions: Leprosy robbed its victim of dignity, community, and love. Are there any similar situations in our society today that would do the same? Have you ever cared about someone so much that you went to great lengths to help them? Why were the Pharisees so upset at Jesus’ healing? Who can you bring into Jesus’ presence by praying for them?
October 15 Get Used to Different Matthew 9:9; John 3:1-21
Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about being born again, wind, Spirit, serpents, and other spiritual mysteries. He refers to a kingdom not of this world and saving not from Rome but from sin. This Jesus was different than any other rabbi Nicodemus had met. But as Jesus would later tell Peter, “Get used to different.” Matthew left everything to follow Jesus: money, a comfortable life, a steady job, protection of the Romans. Nicodemus also had a lot to lose if he followed Jesus: an honorable reputation, family, wealth, success. In the series, he too is invited by Jesus to follow him, but he is unable.
Reflection Questions: Describe the difference between Nicodemus’ and Matthew’s response to Jesus invitation to follow him. When have you been more like Nicodemus? How have you been like Matthew? What have you left to follow Jesus? How would you tell someone what it means to be born again?
October 22 Let the Little Children Come to Me Matthew 18:1-5; Luke 18:15-17
Before Jesus begins his formal ministry, The Chosen series depicts Jesus living in the woods where a group of children find him. These “first students” of Jesus ask questions about who he is and what his work is. Jesus welcomes them, teaches them, and provides a foreshadowing of his future ministry.
Reflection Questions: What would it take for you to trust Jesus the absolute faith of a child? Discuss what it means to be child-like in our response to Jesus, but not childish. What question that the children ask resonate with you the most? What question would you like to ask Jesus? What would you imagine his response would be?
October 29 In Spirit and Truth John 4:1-42
Jesus goes out of his way to make sure he is at a specific well at a specific time to meet a specific woman. He chose her to reveal himself publicly for the first time. Why? They have a lengthy discussion about worship where he says that worship is not about place but about the heart. Worship is about spirit and truth, not about logistics of time, place, and style. How might his teaching still resonate with us today? But only when he specifically tells her about her past does she come to believe. What is it that leads us to believe?
Reflection Question: What was the significance of Jesus revealing his identity for the first time to a Samaritan woman? Why do you think he chose her? In what ways does their conversation about worship influence your thoughts about worship today? Have you ever been as excited as that woman to tell others about Jesus? If Jesus told you “everything that you have ever done,” what would he say to you?
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