The Same Coin

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.

As Mary searches for Yussif to help Jesus, she runs into Shmuel on the street. He tells his colleagues that she is from the Red Quarter in Capernaum and that she was once possessed by seven demons. Mary responds without hesitation, “I’m from Magdala by the sea, possessed by the Creator of the universe” [10:55-11:50 min].

Mary does not deny her past. She does not defend herself. Instead, she redefines herself based on the God who saved her.

What stands out to you about Mary’s response?
What does her response reveal about her identity?
If someone described your past, how would you respond today?

Shmuel accuses Mary of following a man who has essentially signed his own death sentence. He warns that Jesus will be silenced, shamed and condemned—and that anyone who stands with him could face the same fate. He even suggests Jesus’ followers would be better off living in a leper colony.

Mary responds powerfully, “A leper colony, he would heal and redeem. The truth is, there is nowhere you can send us where Jesus is not Lord. I think what he said means something terrible for you. And I think you know it. They may not—but you do. And it drives you mad” [11:52-12:25 min].

Mary’s confidence is not based on circumstances. It is based on who Jesus is. Let’s read Psalm 139.

Psalm 139

1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!

20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

What does Psalm 139 reveal about God’s presence?
What does it mean that there is nowhere we can go where he is not?
How does this psalm deepen your understanding of what it means to say that Jesus is Lord?
Verses 23-24 are a prayer asking God to search our hearts. Why is it important to pray this kind of prayer?

Deep faith is not built on comfort. It is built on truth. Even though Mary knows danger may come, she speaks with courage because she knows who Jesus is and who she now belongs to. She trusts that his Lordship is not limited by location, power or threats.

Where in your life do you need to remember that Jesus is Lord?
Are there spheres of your life (work, school, relationships, online) where you live as if he is not Lord? What might that look like?
What would it look like to live more openly from your identity in him?

In this episode, Jesus asks John to begin with the Dayenu. The Dayenu is part of the Jewish Passover celebration and has been sung for generations. The word “dayenu” means “it would have been enough”.

The song recounts the many gifts God gave his people: delivering them from slavery, parting the sea, providing manna, giving Shabbat and giving the Torah. After each gift, the people sing that even if God had only done that one thing, it would have been enough. The song teaches gratitude and reminds us that God’s work often happens in stages.

What do you think about the idea: “It would have been enough”?
Is gratitude something you usually practise alone or with others? Why?
Looking back on your own story, what is one moment where you could say “dayenu”?

During the celebration, Big James adds a powerful line to the Dayenu, “If he had built for us a holy temple and not sent the Messiah in our lifetimes … It would have been enough. We would have waited. But you chose us. You chose now. And it is enough” [00:23-03:18 min].

His words express deep gratitude, even while acknowledging that God’s plan is still unfolding. Scripture often invites us to remember what God has already done so that we can trust him with what we cannot yet see. Let’s read Psalm 136.

Psalm 136

What stands out to you in this psalm?
Why do you think the phrase “his love endures forever” is repeated after every line?
How does repetition help shape our memory and gratitude?
How does remembering what God has done in the past help us trust him today?

The Dayenu reminds us that every moment of our lives is part of a larger story God is writing. It challenges the idea that fulfilment is always somewhere in the future. It reminds us to recognise the abundance in our lives, rather than focusing on what is missing.

But this gratitude is not passive. When Moses cried out at the Red Sea, God told him to move the people forward. They couldn’t yet see the path, but they still had to step forward in faith. Faith lived in community with others means accepting where we are, trusting God in it and still taking steps forward. It is both surrender and action.

At the end of the episode, the women create their own Dayenu: A song that helps cultivate an attitude of gratitude and contentment.

Is there an area in your life where you are waiting for more before being grateful?
What memories help you to build your trust in God?
How can gratitude become a ritual in your life?
How might you practise gratitude together with others?

Optional Activity: Create your own Dayenu as a group. Go around the circle and complete the sentence: “If God had only … and not …, it would have been enough.” Write the sentences down and share a copy with each person to take home. End by saying, “Dayenu—it would have been enough” together.

In this episode, Judas struggles to understand what is happening. He expected Jesus to restore Israel politically, but that does not seem to be happening. He disagrees with the direction things are going and shares his concerns with Peter.

Peter responds, “You’re a walking contradiction, Judas, you know that? You believe he could make swords magically appear in the hands of all those people, and yet from that same mouth, you question his every move. Why can’t that faith that believes so fully, knows so deeply, also allow you to trust that he knows what he is doing?” [13:35-15:28 min]

Judas believes in Jesus’ power, but he struggles to trust his plan.

Do you recognise yourself in Judas’ struggle? How so?
What do you do when you don’t understand what Jesus is doing in your life?
Is it easier for you to believe in Jesus’ power than to trust his timing or direction? Why?

When Judas tries to explain why Jesus called him and how he can contribute, Peter says, “I love you, Judas. But your mind is so full of your own ideas, you shut off belief” [15:30-15:46 min]. Let’s read Mark 3:13-19.

Mark 3:13-19

What is the first reason this passage lists for why Jesus appointed the disciples?
What does this passage teach us about calling?
Can you recall situations where your own ideas got in the way of your belief?
How can you prioritise being with Jesus?

Later in the episode, Judas confronts Jesus, telling him how all of Israel has gathered to crown him king. Judas is worried that the window of opportunity is closing, and he urges Jesus to claim his birthright as the Messiah.

Jesus responds, “And if I don’t do whatever big thing you have imagined I should do at this time, will you still believe?” Judas answers, “Of course I will.” Then Jesus asks, “Then why are you suggesting that you know better than I do what should be the best next course of action?” [32:38-35:05 min]

Judas struggles because Jesus is not following the expected strategy. Jesus brings the conversation back to the deeper issue: trust and belonging. Often, understanding Jesus means surrendering our own plans. Sometimes the deepest understanding grows not from having all the answers, but from choosing to trust him.

How does your life show that you belong to Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus has called you to follow him?
Reflect on your journey of faith. Do you tend to care more about your relationship with Jesus or the things you accomplish for him?
How do you respond when Jesus does not act the way you expected him to?

In the opening of the episode, Jesus tells his disciples: “My friends, I am with you just a little while longer. And where I am going, you cannot come. A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” [07:14-08:23 min].

This moment is both intimate and urgent. Jesus knows he is leaving. What does he emphasise? Not strategy. Not structure. Not survival. Love.

What stands out to you in Jesus’ words?
Why do you think he calls this a “new” commandment?
What makes his love different from ordinary love?

Before we talk about what loving others looks like, we need to slow down and listen carefully to what Jesus is saying. He does not simply command love; he defines it, “Just as I have loved you ...”

To understand what it means to give hands and feet to our faith, we first need to understand the kind of love Jesus is talking about. Let’s read John 13:34-37.

John 13:34-37

What does this passage tell us about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
What do you think Jesus means when he says, “love as I have loved you”?
What makes this love visible?
As a follower of Jesus, why is love essential?

The world will not recognise Jesus in us because we argue well, gain influence or are impressive. They will recognise him in us when we love like he loves.

Transformational love begins by receiving his love, and then choosing to pass it on. It is not just an inner feeling. It is active and costly. And as we practise it, it shapes our hearts, our relationships and our communities.

How aware are you of the depth of Jesus’ love for you?
How might knowing you are deeply loved change the way you treat others?
How is Jesus inviting you to love in a more concrete, visible way?
What would it look like this week to “give hands and feet” to this love?

SEASON 5 - EPISODE 4

The Same Coin

Select a Track

I want to...

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Psalm 139

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Psalm 136

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

Mark 3:13-19

Respond

Initial Reflections

Dig In

John 13:34-37

Respond

Find more on our Reading Plan

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