INTRODUCING UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett

When the afternoon slump starts to hit, Laura’s fun and quirky personality provide just the lift you need. And getting the kids home has never been more enjoyable – putting the ‘pick me up’ in the afternoon pick up – with this entertaining show that’s safe for young ears to listen to.

Our guest today is Australian actor George Xanthis, who plays John on 'The Chosen', the global hit series about the life of Jesus and his disciples. The next season is one the biggest as they face the crucifixion of Christ and in this episode, George not only talks about that, but about how a local Sydney boy got this gig, pressure to be a religious icon and how his spirituality has evolved during filming.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About the Guest:

Brandon Robbins is a dynamic Pastor and YouTuber with a deep passion for exploring and teaching the stories of Jesus and his disciples. He has been an enthusiastic follower of the Chosen series, dedicated to analysing and expanding on its theological and historical themes. Brandon is the author of "The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus," a book that dives deeper into the Chosen's episodes to enrich the understanding of Jesus's teachings. He is known for his insightful and engaging content that resonates with both the religious and mainstream audiences alike.

Key Takeaways:

• The Chosen series integrates modern entertainment with historical depth, providing a riveting portrayal of Jesus and his disciples.
• Understanding Jewish customs enriches the viewing experience, making connections with scripture more profound and insightful.
• The unique storytelling framework of the Chosen prioritises human experiences, drawing deeper personal connections to the events.
• Significant aspects of Christian spirituality, such as prayer and understanding scripture, are explored in depth to enhance spiritual transformation.
• The Chosen generates a community-driven movement, expanding biblical narratives into other media forms and platforms, fostering a global conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• "It focuses not just on telling the story of Jesus, but really telling the story of Jesus through the eyes of his disciples." – Brandon Robbins
• "Jewish people could do that with the whole Bible. And so when you see something quoted in Scripture… everybody knew what that meant." – Brandon Robbins
• “It was just beautiful to watch her eyes as she viewed Jesus in this way that is even different than what she experiences in church." – Brandon Robbins
• “The Chosen has been all about connecting with people. And that is what has caused them to just be evangelistic about it." – Brandon Robbins
• “When you can put that sort of stuff into a story and understand how it relates to people now, you'll see people dig into scriptures that nobody's ever really touched before.” – Brandon Robbins

Resources:

• Brandon Robbins's Book: The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

• "The Promised Land" cleverly balances humor and deep theological themes to explore humanity's relationship with the divine.
• Leadership and forgiveness are central themes as Moses navigates his own pride and responsibilities.
• The series finale emphasizes the importance of community and collective worship in experiencing God's presence.
• Human imperfection, explored through characters like Bezalel and Aaron, underscores the message that God seeks obedience, not perfection.
• The show's ability to intertwine Old Testament stories with modern television genres opens new avenues for understanding biblical narratives.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The big finale to the big finale is worshipping God. And I'm kind of down with that." — Laura Bennett
2. "When you experience God's presence, there is a response. There can be nothing other than some kind of response." — Ben McEachen
3. "God doesn't want perfection. He wants obedience. And it's more that. It's more the heart attitude than the actual thing you're presenting." — Laura Bennett
4. "I liked how God came to the fore in the final couple of minutes." — Laura Bennett
5. "You can understand as a human who knows they're unworthy in front of God." — Ben McEachen

Laura Bennett hosts Hope Afternoons in Sydney, Australia, and UNDISTRACTED podcast. Laura has reviewed TV and movies for Hope 1032 for more than a decade.

Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings in Sydney, Australia, and co-hosts Money: Faith and Finance. Ben has reviewed TV and movies for Empire, News Ltd and Hope 1032.

Have you heard of The Watchlist? Catch this amazing podcast here!

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.