Small Group Discussion Guide
Jesus and Little James
Season 3 · Episode 2 - 6:34
How to introduce this clip
“In the list of Jesus’s twelve disciples, you’ll see that there are two men named “James.” In The Chosen, the creators of the show playfully imagine one of them as being called “Big James,” with the other being called “Little James.” As you might guess, Big James is tall, and Little James is a little shorter. But here’s another part of Little James’ story that the creators of the show have imagined for him: he has a disability. Throughout the first two seasons of the show, we watch Jesus heal scores of people, but he never heals Little James. As you might imagine, it leaves Little James a little baffled, a little hurt. And in Season 3, when Jesus tells the disciples he is going to send them out not only to preach but to heal others, the show’s creators imagine a moment where Little James comes to Jesus with some difficult questions. Let’s listen in on the imagined conversation they have in this clip from The Chosen…”
*If your church does not know about The Chosen, before you show the clip, you might also want to tell them the following: “The Chosen is a television show that tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of the people who knew him.”
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways do you resonate with Little James in his suffering?
2. In what ways do you resonate with Little James in his confusion and in his anger?
3. What did you think about what Jesus shared with Little James? Did it help? What additional questions does it raise for you concerning either your own suffering or the suffering you see in others?
4. How do you praise God while you wait for prayers for healing or other things to be answered?
5. “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” How well do you trust that verse from the Psalms of Israel? In what ways do you struggle with it?
6. Your story is unique to you. How would you share your story and life experience with others? How does the testimony that you have reflect Jesus’ power in your life?
7. How do the words about Little James’s impact on others encourage your own faith? How do you see yourself doing great things for Jesus in spite of your own weakness?