Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions by the Ent and Elf. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Watch
Name: Jonathan and Jesus
Rating: TV-PG
Genre: Documentary,
Length: Four 45 minute episodes
Age suggested: 10 and up
Streaming Service: Amazon Prime Video
Release Date: January 4th, 2024
Warnings: Nothing too harrowing. We suggest 10 and up because it is made in a documentary style that would not hold the attention of a younger audience.
Jonathan and Jesus Summary
Jonathan and Jesus is a documentary that follows an actor named Jonathan Roumie. Jonathan stars in an increasingly popular show called “The Chosen” in which he plays Jesus. This documentary dives into the complexity of playing such an iconic role and let’s Jonathan learn other people’s stories and journeys of Jesus. These people range from social activists to rock stars and a bunch of people in between
Jonathan and Jesus Review
Jonathan and Jesus was a fascinating documentary to watch. It’s interesting to think about how heavy it is to portray historical characters that really lived, who still have significance to people actively today. Like playing the characters of Jesus and the disciples. I was disappointed to not hear about more of the disciples experience on the documentary. But also, I appreciated the depth and variation of guests on the documentary as well. While it got pretty repetitive in places, it was well done. And if you are a fan of The Chosen, I think you would be interested in the documentary.
Jonathan and Jesus Guest Interviews: Episode 1
Please note that we have recorded the names and descriptions of each person in order they appeared. Several of these people appear in all or a few of the episodes, but they are only listed in the first episode they appeared.
–Dallas Jenkins: creator of “The Chosen“
–Alexander Mariotti: Historian for British Institute of Roman History (Guide)
–Lisa Feldman Barrett: PhD, Neuroscientist, Psychologist, author of 7 1/2 Lessons about the Brain
–Alex: Guide for the Coliseum and the Roman Road
–Philip Yancey: NYT Best-selling Author of What’s So Amazing About Grace?
–Olivia: Jonathan’s sister
–Brandon Flowers: Lead Singer of The Killers
–Alice Cooper: Singer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
–Rich Villodas: Author, Pastor
–Rabbi Jason Sobel: Author, Speaker
–Bob Goff: NYT Best-selling author of Love Does
Jonathan and Jesus Guest Interviews: Episode 2
–Pope Francis
–Francis Chan: Author, Preacher, Speaker
–Matt Fradd: Author, Podcaster
–Nicky Gumbel: Pioneer of “The Alpha Course”
–Jennifer Harris Trosper: NASA/JPL “Mars 2020” Project Manager
–Tom Suozzi: Democrat leader from New York
–Jonathan Tremaine Thomas: Founder/President of Civil Righteousness
–Dr. Francis Collins, ForMemRS, Physician-Geneticist, Leader of “The Human Genome Project”
–Anu George Canjanathoppil: Executive Director of International Justice Mission Canada
–Alaa Safi: Actor, Simon the Zealot in The Chosen
Jonathan and Jesus Guest Interviews: Episode 3
–Greg Laurie: Author, Pastor featured on Way FM
–Danielle Strickland: Author, Speaker, Podcaster, Advocate
–Shane Hipps: Media Expert, Author of Flickering Pixels
–Siku: Visual Artist, Author of The Manga Bible
–Sheila E: Grammy Award-Winning Percussionist
–Marcela Barcelona: Founder of The Well
Jonathan and Jesus Guest Interviews: Episode 4
–Anthony Bova: Jonathan’s Acting Coach
–Peter Rinaldi: Jonathan’s Friend
–Peter Dewit: Director of Serve the City Paris
–Suzanne Galea: Notre-Dame tour guide
Continue reading for our Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions
Jonathan and Jesus Quotes by Episode
Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 1
Is there any person better known on this entire planet than Jesus Christ? I would argue probably not.
Are you afraid sometimes that people will get confused between you and Jesus?
It’s humbling to take on this role and to essentially put a current, tangible human face on Christ as other actors have previously.
I think playing the role of Jesus will change any actor’s life.
There’s nothing that will be more impactful as an actor that I will do than playing this character.
If a society so advanced and so big collapsed, could that not happen to us? Why did it happen?
There’s no other religion or belief system that’s larger in the world and Jesus is at the center of it.
It’s an entirely life-altering experience and I have no idea where it’s going to go.
–Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 1
Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 2
No matter how hard I try to control, at the end of the day, I’m reminded that it’s not up to me.
All of that is meant to draw you deeper into a relationship with Jesus
The way that I most connect to Jesus through my faith is sacramentally
How can we see each other through the eyes and lens of love?
So much good has happened in the name of Jesus…and, sadly, lots of bad things have happened in the name of Jesus.
The church has done lots of dangerous things especially when it hijacks Jesus for its own agenda.
The life of Jesus often looks very different than what we see in the followers of Jesus
I believe that man exposes to harm but Jesus exposes to heal.
In a very practical way, I have seen Jesus break barriers.
He was fierce on the side of fighting injustice, but he was fierce on the side of compassion as well.
And I prayed “Lord, just let people see me as You want them to see You.”
–Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 2
Continue reading for our Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions
Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 3
You’re the only Gospel some people will ever read.
Hercules is this myth that there is a human who’s better than all the other humans who can somehow prove his worthiness to the gods.
I think the question is “Do you want to be Hercules or do you want to be like Jesus?”
Everything is based on knowing that we are loved unconditionally
The best thing for the human nervous system is another human and the worst thing for the human nervous system is another human
People are looking for integrity and integrity is not about living something perfectly, but about wrestling with something faithfully.
There’s a knowing Jesus in suffering that I think our Western world doesn’t want and can’t embrace, but I think there’s something there.
You can be Hercules or you can be Jesus but you can’t be both.
–Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 3
Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 4
Surrender is like a doorway into faith. There’s nowhere to go until you surrender.
I surrender to living up to everyone’s expectations.
Control is often about a resistance of trust.
You get so caught up in church that you forget there is more need outside these four walls. The church needs to get out into the world.
We are trying to change the world by showing the world kindness.
When we actually walk as Jesus in this world, the only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love
Most of the times, almost 100% of the times, the ones who cannot access justice are the ones who most need it. The most vulnerable.
Everything that God approves, He tests.
I don’t really think you choose Christ. I think that you surrender to Christ.
–Jonathan and Jesus Quotes from Episode 4
Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions
Themes to Discuss:
-Celebrity
-Faith and Influence
-Humanizing people of other belief systems
-Pressure and pedestals
-Coming together over divides
-Grieving
-Emotionally heavy jobs
Episode 1: Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions
- Had you thought about the pressures of portraying Jesus or the Disciples?
- What did you think about seeing some of the sites where we think Jesus and the Disciples walked, like the Roman Road?
- How long did Jonathan struggle acting part time before landing this lead role? Is that encouraging to you?
- It was neat to see how Jesus has influenced so many people from different areas of the entertainment world, from social media to music. Share a God moment that stuck with you from this episode.
Episode 2: Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions
- It was amazing to see Jonathan and Dallas meet the Pope. If you could meet anyone from this documentary, who would it be?
- Francis Chan and Jonathan had a good conversation about denominational divides, like between the Protestant and Catholic churches. How can we be bridgebuilders?
- Press junkets are so fascinating for fans to consume but so draining to be interviewed so much. What are your thoughts on that?
Episode 3: Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions
- Have you seen The Jesus Revolution movie? How different are the characters of Jesus and Lonnie Frisbee?
- Should there be pressure on actors or actresses to uphold the characters they play outside of business hours?
- What is your theology on God, Jesus, and suffering?
Episode 4: Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions
- I love that they showed Jonathan talking to an acting coach. It’s so important to have an outside perspective helping us with perspective sometimes. Discuss the value of perspective and outside help.
- The interview with the IJM ambassador was enlightening. What did you think about?
- What’s your theology on God’s provision? (I thought the story of Jonathan getting checks sounded like an inspiring God hug. But I’m wary of saying that you’ll always be taken care of when I don’t believe that is what we are promised Biblically.)
- What’s your theology on the resurrection of Jesus?
- The meeting with Peter Dewit who upended his ministry to minister to refugees was both sad and inspiring. What did you think about this?
- What was your favorite part of the series?
Thanks for reading our Jonathan and Jesus Discussion Questions. Check out some of the related content below:
-The Chosen Discussion Questions
–Season 1
–Season 2
–Season 3
–Season 4
-Jesus Revolution Movie Review and Where Are They Now?
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