From the release of Season 4 to the wrapping of Season 5, Amanda Jenkins, co-author of The Chosen Bible Studies and an integral part of the hit series, discusses the show's deeper themes, the creative process behind the studies, and how personal struggles have shaped her journey.
2024 has already been a monumental year for you, your family, and The Chosen. Do you have a standout moment so far?
Amanda: Honestly, wrapping up Season 5 is the highlight for me. There’s always this massive sense of relief and joy when a season comes together. For the show, the delayed release of Season 4 and seeing the audience’s overwhelming response was moving. You could feel their eagerness during the wait, so their excitement when it finally aired was incredibly rewarding.
Speaking of Season 5, how was the filming process?
Amanda: It was surprisingly smooth. We split filming between Utah and Texas; thankfully, everything wrapped up on time. Overall, it was a wonderful experience—probably one of our best seasons logistically.
Season 4 has a poignant connection to your latest Bible study. Both seem to explore themes of suffering and God’s goodness. Could you talk about why that theme became central?
Amanda: Without giving away spoilers, Season 4 centers heavily on suffering and how Jesus doesn’t always remove it when people ask Him to. That resonated deeply with me and my co-writer. This past year, my family has faced ongoing challenges with my chronically ill daughter, and my co-writer has been walking through his own difficult season. Writing about suffering and God’s goodness wasn’t just an academic exercise—it reflected what we were living.
The study draws heavily from 1 Peter. Could you let me know why you chose that as a focal point?
Amanda: Peter’s journey mirrors so much of what the study aims to unpack. In The Chosen, we see Peter grappling with confusion, heartache, and hearing things he doesn’t want to hear. But in scripture, we also see him transformed into a pillar of the early Church. How does someone move from denial and despair to unshakable faith? That’s the journey we wanted to explore—how God’s goodness eclipses suffering. 1 Peter doesn’t dwell on hardship; it points to God’s presence and purpose.
How do you balance the themes of the Bible studies with The Chosen? Do they influence each other?
Amanda: It’s a prayerful process. The Bible is always the higher authority—we never want the studies to feel like they’re just an extension of the show. The themes from The Chosen often spark ideas for the studies, but we dig deeply into scripture to guide the content. It’s more about using the show as a springboard to help people dive into the Word.
What has God taught you personally through this latest Bible study?
Amanda: So much. In our current season as a family, we’ve prayed repeatedly for God to remove our daughter’s suffering, but His answer so far has been no. I’m learning His presence is enough, even when circumstances aren’t what I want. Hope is being renewed as I focus on Him, not the situation. That’s what I’ve poured into this study—how God meets us in our tears, anger, and confusion with eternal truths to stand on.
Many characters in The Chosen also face suffering. What would you say to someone resonating with those struggles?
Amanda: Jesus surrounded Himself with flawed, hurting people like us. Watching characters like Peter evolve reminds us that God doesn’t leave us as we are. For anyone struggling, I’d say, come to Him exactly as you are—whether you feel put together or entirely broken. God remains faithful, meeting us in ways that transform us.
You’ve released four Bible studies so far. Can you confirm if a fifth is on the way?
Amanda: Absolutely. I’m copy-editing it right now. It ties directly to Season 5 and focuses on the events leading up to Palm Sunday. It’s a significant moment in Jesus’ ministry, and I think fans of both the show and the studies will find it incredibly impactful.
Looking back at Season 4, do you have a favorite moment?
Amanda: The dynamic between Mary and Martha is my favorite. Their contrasting personalities—Mary being the feeler and Martha the doer—reflect much of what we wrestle with in life. Jesus meets them both exactly where they are, reminding us that there’s a time and place for each way of serving Him.
Thank you so much for your time, Amanda. We’re eagerly anticipating all that’s to come in The Chosen and the Bible studies.
Amanda: Thank you. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s next.
Season 5 of The Chosen and its accompanying Bible study promise to continue inspiring viewers and readers to connect with God in transformative ways. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking series.
The transcription of this video interview was generated by both Riverside AI and ChatGPT, OpenAI, November 3, 2024.
Grace Chaves is NRT's News Editor. She has been with NewReleaseToday since 2019, majoring in Multimedia Journalism at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego.
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Amanda Jenkins
The Chosen's Bible Series author talks to NRT
