Reckoning

Each track is a different way to engage with the content of the episode. You can choose to follow a track for the entire season, or you can choose to follow a track for a specific episode. Come as you are and grow at your own pace.

In this episode, as Jesus prepares to speak to the crowd, he tells his disciples something important about their mission, “Truth will define our whole ministry and that is what we must focus on” [05:07-06:17 min].

What do you think Jesus means when he says this?
What would it look like if the disciples focused on things other than truth—such as status, influence, their own wellbeing, etc.? How would it impact their ministry?
In your everyday life, how do you focus on Jesus as the Truth who gives direction and meaning to your life?

The disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. Big James says, “I would like to learn more about what you’re saying when you’re out alone.” What a beautiful request! Jesus responds: “Now you’re behaving like true students. This is what I like to see. And prayer is the first step in getting the mind and the heart right … When we pray, we want to be sure to first start with acknowledging our Father in heaven, and his greatness … And we always want to be sure to do God’s will and not our own. So we say: Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” [38:04-39:13 min]. Let’s read Matthew 6:9-13.

Matthew 6:9-13

What line from this prayer stands out to you? Why?
What elements do you see in this prayer? What do you notice about their order?
Does your normal prayer life lack any of the elements in this prayer?

Eugene Peterson says, “Prayer is the mother tongue of spiritual life.” Do you speak this language as easily as your mother tongue? What do you find hard about prayer? Take a few minutes to pray through this passage with your group.

There are lots of ways to connect with God in prayer—especially when the right words are hard to find. Mirjam van der Vegt puts it like this, “When you can’t find the words yourself, others pray with you and for you.”

What does your prayer life look like? Do you have a regular rhythm or routine?
How do you bring Scripture into your prayers?
Does anyone have prayers written by other Christians that they find powerful? Share them.

Take a few minutes to write your own prayer to God—whatever is on your heart. If words are hard to find, you can also draw something that expresses what you are feeling. Take it home with you and put it somewhere you’ll see it often. Let it be a reminder to keep seeking God in prayer.

In this episode, Jesus gives his disciples clear instructions on what to do while he’s gone—but fear takes over, and they don’t follow through. When Peter and Andrew go fishing, Andrew is visibly anxious. He says: “When word reaches Jerusalem that he claimed the title Son of Man and Lord of the Sabbath, they’ll hunt him down, they’ll put him away. It could completely ruin all the plans for the sermon, erase all the momentum we’ve gained. That’s what I’m afraid of” [15:38-15:48 min].

From the outside looking in, what do you think about the way Andrew reacts?
What kinds of things make you feel anxious or worried?
What do you do when you notice someone else is scared?

In the middle of all the stress, Andrew starts blaming Mary for leaving the camp and making things worse. Peter puts him in check: Peter: Do you think you will never make another mistake in your life? ... Look, she went through something horrible and terrifying, and she dealt with it the best way she knew how. Andrew: She should have gone to Jesus! Peter: She knows that now [14:09-14:56 min]. Let’s read Psalm 56.

Psalm 56

What can we learn from this psalm about how we should respond in times of trouble?
Why is the psalmist so confident in the face of his enemies?

Put yourself in Mary’s shoes: How do you think fear and shame influenced her decision to run away instead of turning to Jesus?

What is one step you can take today to trust God with a challenging circumstance in your life?

The disciples start guessing what might happen to Jesus now that he’s been taken to Quintus, and things get tense. Everyone’s upset. Once again, Mary gets blamed for running off. She responds: “I made a mistake leaving camp. I was wrong. I’m sorry I have relied on my own observation and my own understanding so heavily … Jesus said he will be back” [23:12-24:36 min].

Have you ever apologised to a group of people you disappointed? What was that like?
Mary made the mistake that Proverbs 3:5 warns against: She relied on her own understanding rather than trusting the Lord. How do you see that tendency show up in your own life?
When people around you react poorly—out of fear, shame or not knowing what to do—do you find yourself blaming them like Andrew, or feeling compassion for them? Why?
Is there someone in your life who has made bad choices who you can show grace and kindness? How?

In this episode, Andrew and Simon are out fishing, and Andrew is really worried about Jesus. He’s afraid that what happened to John the Baptiser might happen to Jesus too. He tells Simon they need to be more careful. Andrew: Let’s not make a scene everywhere we go … It’s common sense. Simon: I think he’s more of an uncommon sense guy. Get used to different brother [08:55-09:33 min].

Can you relate to Andrew’s desire to “not make a scene”? How so?
What do you think about Simon’s response to Andrew? What does it reveal about how he views Jesus?
Why do followers of Jesus need to “get used to different”?

In this episode, Jesus makes it clear why he’s about to give this sermon. It’s not about making a name for himself in the region or putting on a show. “But what makes this sermon so important is each person who will be there” [04:35-05:37 min]. People are showing up because they’ve heard about the miracles—but Jesus wants to give them something even more meaningful. Some of the things he teaches aren’t easy to hear or accept. Let’s read John 6:60-69.

John 6:60-69

In this passage, how does Jesus respond when he notices some of his disciples grumbling about his teaching?
Reread John 6:63. What do you think that means?
Why do some of Jesus’ disciples accept his hard teaching while others stop following him because of it?

How do you respond to Jesus’ challenging teachings? Do you ignore them? Obey them? Explain them away?

Does your life reflect the conviction that Jesus’ words are the words of eternal life? How so?

Throughout this episode, different people are trying to figure out who Jesus really is. Atticus, Quintus, Gaius, the Sanhedrin and even the disciples are asking big questions: What kind of influence does he have? Is he dangerous? Could he actually be who he claims to be? When Atticus meets Gaius he says, “He doesn’t strike me at all as threatening or scary … and that scares me” [13:25-13:56 min].

Who do you say Jesus is?
How have you investigated and sought to understand who Jesus is?
Why do you think Atticus says he’s scared?
What questions do you have for or about Jesus?
What do you do to grow closer to Jesus and better understand his work in the world?
How does your view of Jesus impact your view of your life and the lives of people around you?

In this episode, while fishing, Andrew starts spiralling as he imagines all the things that could happen to Jesus—and he shares his worries with Simon. Simon turns to him and says: “Look, this is just all fear talking … You’re the one who told me he is the Messiah. Am I gonna have to remind you now?” [15:52-16:39 min]

“This is just all fear talking.” Have you ever felt that before—when fear takes over and clouds your thinking? What was it like?
Have you ever needed someone to speak truth into your fear the way Simon does for Andrew? How did you receive it?

Andrew pushes back, “The very fact that he’s the Messiah means that there’s going to be trouble” [15:52-16:39 min]. He’s not wrong. Jesus knows that his mission will be hard, but he moves forward anyway. Andrew wants to avoid conflict, but Jesus embraces it—because it’s part of what he came to do. And he’ll soon start preparing his followers to face the same kind of trouble, too. Let’s read John 15:18-16:1; 16:13-14, 33.

John 15:18—16:1

John 16:13-14,33

According to Jesus, why will the world hate and persecute his disciples?
Why does Jesus remind his disciples that “no servant is greater than his master” (NIV)?
Reread John 16:1. How can Jesus’ warning encourage us so that we do not fall away when things get hard?
Reread John 16:13 and 16:33. How can these promises encourage you today?
How do you feel about the prospect of experiencing trouble or conflict because you follow Jesus?

In this episode, when Jesus returns and sees how unsettled his disciples became, he says: “Did I not tell you that I would be back and to keep planning? You’re all going to have to learn how to do this regardless of what’s happening, good or bad. Things are only going to get more difficult. You can’t just shut down when you’re fearful. And what are you going to do when I’m no longer here?” [36:08-38:04 min]

Is there something unexpected happening in your life right now? What might Jesus be asking you to do in the midst of it?
How do you respond to fear? Do you continue moving forward or do you shut down? Why?
When you are going through situations that make you feel anxious or afraid, what is one thing you can do to combat the fear?

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 7

Reckoning

Select a Track

I want to...

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Matthew 6:9-13

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Psalm 56

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

John 6:60-69

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

John 15:18—16:1

John 16:13-14,33

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