I Saw You

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In this episode, Nathanael’s world falls apart. Everything he worked for, poured his energy into and believed he was made for suddenly crumbles. In his distress, he cries out to God, “This was done for you!” [15:20-16:12 min]

Have you ever been in a situation where everything fell apart despite your best efforts? How did you respond?
Has God ever used a moment of failure to teach you a valuable lesson or draw you nearer to him? Tell us about it.

In the midst of his confusion and pain, Nathanael prays: “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe ... Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One. Hear my prayer, O Lord. Let my cry come to you. Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Incline your ear to me. Answer me speedily in the day when I call.” When God seems to remain silent, Nathanael cries out, “Do You see me?” [16:20- 18:04 min]. Nathanael’s cry echoes those of many in Scripture who have wrestled with God in their pain. In his prayer, he quoted Psalm 102. A similar example can be found in Psalm 77—let’s read it together.

Psalm 77

1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted.

3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.

4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.

5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;

6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

7 “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?

8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

13 Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God?

14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.

17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.

18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.

19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

What stands out to you about Asaph’s prayer?
What does Asaph remember and why?
Reread verses 7 to 9. What questions do you ask to or about God when you are going through seasons of suffering?
Reread verse 11. What “deeds of the Lord” (NIV) can you remember when you need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness?
What do you do when it feels like God isn’t listening?

Jesus meets Nathanael just where he is and reassures him: “When you were in your lowest moment, and you were alone … I did not turn my face from you. I saw you, under the fig tree ...” [46:54-48:30 min].

Have you ever experienced Jesus seeing you in this way? How?
Was there ever a time when you felt that God wasn’t there—only to realise later that he had been with you all along?
When Jesus places his hand on Nathanael’s shoulder, it’s a moment of deep reassurance. Have you ever felt God’s hand on your life? What did it feel like? What impact did it have on you?

In this episode, Matthew feels like an outsider, watching as others seem to belong while he remains on the outside looking in.

Have you ever felt left out or lonely? Why? How did you handle it?
Do you know others who might feel this way? How do you typically respond?
Is it always a bad thing to be outside the circle Matthew describes? Why or why not?

Simon is full of ideas about how to manage the growing group of Jesus’ followers. But Jesus gently redirects him: “Every one of these people I have called for a reason. Each of them brings something unique and important to the whole. I want every voice heard and none silenced. Everyone can learn from each other” [34:30-37:10 min]. Simon has no idea yet what this will mean for his own life. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?

20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,

24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,

25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

What stands out to you about this passage?
What can we learn from the body illustration about the unique calling and purpose we each have to offer?
How do you see this reflected in your own life? What unique gifts do you bring to the body of Christ?
How do you see others using their gifts to serve their local church? What do you learn from their example?

In this episode, Philip reaches out to Matthew, who feels lonely, and connects with his friend Nathanael. Jesus remarks, “If we don’t make time for friends, we won’t have any” [26:19-26:55 min].

Why are friendships and relationships important?
What do you do to make time for your friends?
What does it mean to you to be a good friend?
What can you do this week to reach out to someone like Matthew, who may be feeling left out?

In this episode, Simon and Jesus have a discussion, and Simon asks Jesus if he will explain more soon. Jesus responds, “There’s that word: ‘Soon ...’” [37:12-37:40 min].

What is the problem with the word “soon”?
What did Jesus mean when he promised to return soon?
How have you experienced the difference between God’s timing and your timing?

Matthew, Mary and Ramah are deeply moved by Jesus’ words and eager to learn more, even if they don’t fully understand yet. Their desire to learn more keeps them pressing in. Let’s read Psalm 119:1-16.

Psalm 119:1-16

How does the psalmist describe God’s Word?
Why is it important to store God’s Word in your heart?
What role does God’s Word play in your life?
What steps can you take to grow in your love for and understanding of God’s Word?

In this episode, we see Philip walking alongside Matthew, while some of the others still avoid him. During one of their conversations, they reflect on Matthew’s past. Matthew struggles to understand why Jesus chose him, considering how little he knows about religion. Philip reassures him: “From what I understand, Jesus doesn’t love everything about religion. Matthew, what you think you know, it doesn’t matter. Only that Jesus chose you. That’s where your confidence comes from now” [19:28-20:45 min].

Where does your confidence come from?
God is a God of relationship. Let’s compare religion and relationship— how do they connect? How are they different?
Looking at the life of Jesus, what do you see reflected—religion, relationship or both?
What role do religion and relationship play in your own life?

Jesus sees Nathanael’s desire and invites him into something greater: “So … you wanted to help build something that would cause prayer and songs, something to bring souls closer to God, yes? … Can you start tomorrow?” [50:04-50:12 min]

What is your dream?
Have you surrendered your dreams and desires to Jesus? Why or why not?

Early in the episode, we see Nathanael at his lowest point—sitting at a bar, defeated, asking for a strong drink. The bartender is concerned and asks, “Did someone die?” [08:33-11:03 min] Let’s read 1 Peter 5:5-11.

1 Peter 5:5-11

How does Nathanael respond to the bartender’s question?
What does it mean to humble yourself under God’s mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6)?
What is pride, and how does the devil use it to attack us?
How can humility help you to resist the devil?

In The Chosen, we see that following Jesus isn’t just about the big moments— it’s about the ordinary ones too. Jesus’ disciples take long walks, eat, sleep, talk, grumble, laugh, cry, marvel at miracles, struggle with uncertainty and learn by doing. Through it all, they are part of God’s mission—even when they don’t fully realise it.

How can you become more attentive to God’s presence in the ordinary moments of your life?
How have you seen God use ordinary things–like meals or time with friends–to build his kingdom and draw souls closer to him?
Are you walking alongside someone in a meaningful way? What does that look like?

The Chosen Connect materials have been created by Alongsiders, OneHope and Avivemos. Our heart is to make disciples and walk alongside others as they follow Jesus. Did you like this dicussion guide? Find more at thechosen.avivemos.net. © Copyright 2026 Stichting Alongsiders All rights reserved.

SEASON 2 - EPISODE 2

I Saw You

Select a Track

I want to...

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Psalm 77

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Psalm 119:1-16

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

1 Peter 5:5-11

Respond

Next Episodes

I Have Called You by Name

Shabbat

Jesus Loves the Little Children

The Rock on Which It Is Built

The Wedding Gift

Indescribable Compassion

Invitations

I Am He

Thunder

I Saw You

Matthew 4:24

The Perfect Opportunity

Spirit

Unlawful

Reckoning

Beyond Mountains

Homecoming

Two by Two

Physician, Heal Yourself

Clean (1)

Clean (2)

Intensity in Tent City

Ears to Hear

Sustenance

Promises

Confessions

Moon to Blood

Calm Before

Sitting, Serving, Scheming

Dedication

The Last Sign

Humble

Entry

House of Cards

Woes

The Same Coin

Because of Me

Reunions

The Upper Room (1)

The Upper Room (2)

The Chosen Connect