In Totality with Megan Ashley

Episode 94: Faith in the Waiting – When God Feels Silent
Date: October 28, 2025
Host: Megan Ashley
Guests: Dallas and Amanda Jenkins (The Chosen)

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Megan Ashley welcomes Dallas Jenkins (creator, director, and writer of The Chosen) and his wife, Amanda Jenkins (writer, Bible study developer, and “extra content” director for the show). Together, they explore the tension, vulnerability, and deep faith required when God feels silent, especially during seasons of waiting and suffering. Through personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights from The Chosen, and reflections on suffering, healing, and devotional practice, the discussion offers practical encouragement for anyone wrestling with faith in the waiting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin and Purpose of The Chosen

[04:23-10:15]

• Dallas and Amanda describe the genesis of The Chosen and their unexpected journey from a failed film project to spearheading a global phenomenon.
• Their initial intent was simply to make a biblically inspired TV series, not a movement.
• A major theme: The Chosen is meant to lead audiences back to Scripture, not replace it.
  • “The show isn’t going to last forever and we want that (turning to the Bible) to go on long after the show.” – Amanda [09:27]
  • Dallas emphasizes, “We say up front, before you even watch frame one of the show, ‘Viewers are encouraged to read the Gospels. This is based in the Bible. I’ve always said, I’m not God. Jonathan isn’t Jesus. The show isn’t the Bible.’” [07:36]
• They discuss how Bible studies/devotionals and supporting content bridge gaps and help viewers of all backgrounds access deeper biblical truths.

Transformation Stories & Miracles

[10:35-20:23]

• Megan asks about non-traditional believers being drawn to the show and experiencing heart change.
• Dallas shares that over half the cast and crew were not believers—some have come to faith by portraying and witnessing the narrative.
  • “Almost every time a cast member is in a scene where they are actually quoting Scripture… the actor has an overwhelming and unexpected emotional reaction.” – Dallas [12:51]
  • Dallas recounts receiving a message from an actor: “For the first time in my life I can say I’m a believer, and I have you to thank for making the introduction.” [13:50]
• The global impact: stories of young children in China who loved the show even before translation—proving God’s transcending power beyond language, age, or culture.
• Amanda and Dallas share their humility at seeing God use the show in ways they could never orchestrate.
  • “When God breathes on something, it hopefully should make it very easy for you to see that and recognize, ‘Okay, I’m just making a pretty good show… but I’m not this good.’” – Dallas [17:28]
• The “download” moments: the scenes most impactful are those that Dallas felt “downloaded” from God during writing. [20:32]

Spiritual Warfare & Sacrificial Calling

[20:49-33:10]

• Megan opens up about experiencing intense spiritual warfare when she stepped out in ministry, and asks Dallas and Amanda about their experiences.
• Dallas reveals immense family and personal challenges:
  • Medical crises, financial instability after leaving a job, and ongoing chronic illness in their children.
  • “Our marriage counselor is on speed dial.” – Amanda, honestly [28:05]
  • “‘The Chosen Curse’… when someone comes to work for us, just be prepared.” – Dallas, tongue-in-cheek [28:31]
• They discuss the subtlety, relentlessness, and creative nature of spiritual attacks—and the necessity of relying on God’s strength in weakness.
  • “It is a training like none other. Not in a strength way, in a learn-how-to-be-weak way.” – Amanda [31:45]
  • “At the beginning of the summer, I was really at a place where I was like, ‘I have no more.’ ... I’m a Bible study teacher who couldn’t open my Bible. I was just exhausted.” – Amanda [32:22]
• Megan affirms the paradox: often increased warfare is evidence you’re “exactly right” where God wants you.

The Theology of Suffering: Portrayal in The Chosen

[34:50-57:47]

• Megan highlights two scenes that profoundly affected her:
  1. Peter & Eden’s grief after miscarriage, paralleling ministry spouse hardships [35:21]
  2. Little James’ limp and conversation about healing [48:01]
• Dallas and Amanda explain the intentionality behind portraying marital strain and wives’ unseen sacrifices in ministry.
  • “Jesus pulls her aside and says, ‘I see you, and this is your calling as much as it is his.’” – Dallas [38:08]
• Dallas describes deep struggles they faced during writing, like their own daughter’s autism & chronic illness—these experiences inform the authenticity of the show’s pain and faith.
• They open up about the trauma and comfort available in suffering:
  • “You need to believe that I can, and you need to trust me when I don’t.” – Amanda, reflecting on a personal prayer moment [55:56]
• Authentic depiction of disappointment, acceptance, and the long process of coming to trust God if healing doesn’t come.

Asking God and Gethsemane Moments

[58:01-60:15]

• Megan links the struggle to ask God for healing with Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane.
  • “Jesus… knows he can’t receive [the request], but he still asked, and he asked.” – Megan [59:00]
• Dallas: “If Jesus gives us, as always, an example of what it looks like to ask, even if the answer may be no…” [59:49]
• Radical trust and openness is “the channel”; withholding requests from God is “self-protection” that calcifies into cynicism (Amanda).

Representation: Matthew’s Autism and Reaching Special Needs Families

[60:51-70:36]

• Megan, a mother to a special needs child, discusses the heart behind The Chosen’s portrayal of Matthew as being on the autism spectrum.
• Dallas shares they leaned into Matthew’s “numbers guy” biblical persona and his social outcast status.
  • “I got some experience in this world. I’m a little ‘Asperger’s-y’ myself… and our daughter, of course… What if we gave him that [autistic characteristics]?” – Dallas [63:44]
• The response has been overwhelming—special needs viewers and their families feel seen.
• Amanda: Sometimes, neurodivergent people “get to the truth about God's character quicker than we do.” [67:35]
• Preview of Season Six: “The one who essentially takes leadership because of his loyalty and his literalness is Matthew.” – Dallas [70:00]

The Crucifixion: Behind the Scenes of Upcoming Season 6

[71:20-80:22]

• Megan asks how the crucifixion will be depicted compared to The Passion of the Christ.
• Dallas explains the careful balance—neither sanitizing nor gratuitously depicting suffering.
• The emotional and spiritual agony was as profound as the physical pain.
  • “The emotional torment is almost worse than the physical torment.” – Dallas [76:26]
  • Dallas describes a moment of total exhaustion and weeping during filming—“I have nothing left.” [78:52]
• Filming season six was a gut-wrenching experience for cast and crew, further highlighting the cost and gravity of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Bible Studies, Devotionals, and Preparing Hearts

[80:44-86:31]

• Amanda and Dallas share about The Chosen Bible studies—designed for small groups or individuals to “go deeper” and not just consume the show as entertainment.
• The theme for the Season 5 study is "Stronghold"—drawn from Zechariah 9’s messianic prophecy, focused on Jesus as our place of refuge even amid weakness and confusion.
  • “We just aren’t allowed to [write the studies] from a high place… we do that from a low place.” – Amanda [83:31]
  • The studies are created amidst their own suffering, mirroring the content’s rawness.
• Season 6 study will release alongside episodes to avoid spoilers.

What’s Next: The Chosen Universe

[87:18-89:55]

• The Chosen: Adventures (animated series) debuts October on Prime, bringing the story to children through other angles.
• Joseph of Egypt (upcoming miniseries), Chosen in the Wild (Bear Grylls series), and future plans for Moses and Acts are teased.
• “When season seven ends, you will know it’s an ellipsis… The Book of Acts is coming for sure.” – Dallas [89:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“The show is a supplement to the Bible study—the show is an on ramp, not the main thing.”
— Dallas Jenkins [10:10]

“It is a privilege of a lifetime… but it has been, without a close second, the most difficult and challenging thing we’ve ever done.”
— Dallas Jenkins [26:57]

“God keeps Dallas and our family… in a place of desperation… so that we don’t get in the way of the work.”
— Amanda Jenkins [83:31]

“You need to believe that I can, and you need to trust me when I don’t. That is… doctorate level.”
— Amanda Jenkins [55:56]

“If Jesus can call Matthew, he can call me.”
— Dallas Jenkins, on autistic/special needs representation [63:57]

“I have nothing left.”
— Dallas, after filming the crucifixion scene [78:52]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [04:23] — Introduction of Amanda and Dallas, overview of The Chosen’s heart and Bible study vision
• [10:35] — Testimonies of transformation, impact on cast/crew, and viewer miracles
• [20:49] — Spiritual warfare and cost of ministry
• [34:50] — Scenes exploring grief, ministry marriage, theology of suffering
• [48:01] — Little James’ healing; honest look at unanswered prayer
• [60:51] — Autism and Matthew; family representation and upcoming plotlines
• [71:20] — Portraying the crucifixion: artistic and emotional choices
• [80:44] — Season 5-6 Bible studies, what “Stronghold” means, devotional practice
• [87:18] — What’s next for The Chosen universe: Animated, Joseph, Acts

Authentic Takeaways

• The Chosen is a labor of surrender, seasoned by authentic personal suffering, and is intentionally crafted to point viewers to discipleship, Scripture, and relationship with Jesus.
• Real faith often involves embracing silence, enduring suffering, and trusting God even when healing doesn’t come. The cast and writers live this out as much as their characters do.
• Vulnerability, both on screen and off, creates space for grace—and The Chosen’s ministry extends far beyond TV.

Resources:

• The Chosen TV series and Bible studies: thechosen.tv
• The Chosen Adventures animated series: coming October on Prime
• Season 5 Bible Study, “Stronghold”: available wherever books are sold