Recommended Time: 110 minutes

1. Watch The Chosen Episode 1.1. (55 min)

2. Quietly reflect or journal on either of the sets of questions below or combine them to fit your group’s needs. (15 min)

CLICK on a “+” sign for more:

1. Jesus calls Lillith/Mary by her name and tells her she is redeemed. How can we remind ourselves of this truth and live it out in our daily lives?
2. Lillith/Mary initially didn’t feel safe with Jesus and ran from Him. Do you feel safe with Jesus? Why or why not? What has made you run from or towards God in the past?
3. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?
1. The episode shows that Mary of Magdala (or Lilith) was tormented by many demons (per Luke’s Gospel). It seems that the evil influences are related to the loss of her dad and how she copes in unhealthy ways. At her lowest point, she encounters Jesus who calls her by name in a way that touches her deeply.
  a. Have you ever experienced your name being called similarly (even if your situation is not as dramatic)? What was that like?
  b. At this time in your life, how would you like your name to be similarly called? How would you respond if God called you by that name?
2. Is there anything else from the episode that puzzles, moves, or surprises you? How so?

3. Break into small groups and share answers to your questions above. (30 min)

4. Reconvene with the large group and discuss the following large group questions below. (10 min)

Is there an insight that came up from your small group that you think the large group can benefit from?
Is there a question you’d like to pose to everyone in the large group?

Recommendations for Personal Prayer:

Let yourself be led by the Spirit through this 20’ Guided Meditation with Isaiah 43:1-5.
Take a few minutes and pray, thanking God that He has redeemed you, that He has called you by name, and you are His.
Read slowly several times Is 43:1-5. Imagine God speaking to you these words: Let the words, I have called you by name, you are mine”.