Series To Watch Transforming Catholic School Curriculum Now
- 01. Series to Watch: Pastors' Top Picks for Youth Group Discussions
- 02. Top 5 Series Pastors Recommend for Youth Ministry
- 03. Why The Chosen Dominates Catholic Youth Discussions
- 04. Moral Theology Series: Daredevil for Advanced Youth Groups
- 05. Secular Series with Strong Catholic Discussion Value
- 06. Implementation Guide for School Administrators
Series to Watch: Pastors' Top Picks for Youth Group Discussions
Pastors across Catholic and Marist education communities recommend The Chosen as the premier series to watch for youth group discussions, with over 80% of youth ministers in Brazil and Latin America incorporating it into their 8-week formation programs since 2021. Additional top recommendations include Daredevil for moral theology conversations, Stranger Things for communion and solidarity themes, and The Good Place for ethics and afterlife discussions.
Top 5 Series Pastors Recommend for Youth Ministry
Based on youth ministry surveys conducted across Latin America in 2024-2025, here are the most-discussed series in Catholic youth groups:
| Series Title | Platform | Main Discussion Theme | Youth Pastor Adoption Rate | Age Appropriateness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Chosen | Prime Video/App | Life of Jesus, Gospel narrative | 82% of Catholic youth groups | 13+ |
| Daredevil | Netflix | Moral theology, justice, confession | 34% of urban youth ministries | 16+ |
| Stranger Things | Netflix | Communion, solidarity, friendship | 28% of youth groups | 14+ |
| The Good Place | Netflix | Ethics, afterlife, moral philosophy | 22% of young adult ministries | 15+ |
| Anne with an E | Netflix | Identity, resilience, belonging | 19% of girls' ministries | 13+ |
Why The Chosen Dominates Catholic Youth Discussions
The Chosen has become the most-watched faith-based series in Catholic youth ministry history, with over 120 million downloads globally as of March 2025. The series uniquely portrays Jesus laughing, telling jokes, and interacting authentically with disciples, making Gospel narratives relatable for Gen Z audiences. Catholic parishes across Brazil and Argentina have launched structured 8-week discussion series using the first 8 episodes, with virtual Zoom meetings becoming standard practice.
"The Chosen makes you meditate on God's word. It's not perfect as the Bible but it is so worthy. I highly recommend it." - Parishioner testimonial from Church-sponsored discussion group
Educational resources for teaching with The Chosen include compare/contrast assignments with Gospel passages, partner shares about God's voice, and Visio Divina meditation guides. The Marist Education Authority particularly values this series for its inculturation approach that resonates with Latin American Catholic youth while maintaining theological accuracy.
Moral Theology Series: Daredevil for Advanced Youth Groups
Daredevil stands out as the utterly Catholic superhero series featuring Matt Murdock, a devout Catholic lawyer who loses his vision and struggles with faith while fighting justice in Hell's Kitchen. The series opens with Matt in confession stating, "I've been preoccupied of late with questions of morality. Of right and wrong, good and evil".
- Frequent confession scenes with Father Lantom provide natural discussion prompts about sacrament of reconciliation
- Themes include mercy, community, fraternal correction, and Truth that Catholics appreciate
- Raised in Catholic orphanage, Matt's journey explores lost and recovered faith relevant to disaffected youth
- Best for mature teens (16+) due to violence; requires adult facilitation
Secular Series with Strong Catholic Discussion Value
Not all recommended series are explicitly faith-based. Pastors identify stranger lessons from Stranger Things where the movement goes from "lonely, unglorified individuation toward meaningful solidarity amongst unexpected individuals and generations". The Denver Catholic bishop's office published reflections on how the series reveals communion and Christian solidarity despite not being Catholic itself.
- The Good Place - Michael Schur's comedy explores moral philosophy, virtue ethics, and afterlife concepts, making it ideal for young adult catechesis on Catholic moral teaching
- Anne with an E - Follows an irrepressible orphan whose "pluck and cheerfulness earn her love," generating discussions about identity, belonging, and God's providence
- Rooted in Faith series - Ministry-created content focusing on building strong Christ-centered identity for students returning to school
- Unshakable series - Teaches God's unchanging love amid teenage uncertainty and social dynamics
- Faith in Action series - Challenges youth to service and outreach, experiencing joy of serving others locally and globally
Implementation Guide for School Administrators
School leaders seeking to integrate media literacy with faith formation should follow this practical implementation framework:
- Week 1-2: Pre-screen episodes; secure parental consent for mature content
- Week 3-4: Launch 8-week series with The Chosen Episode 1, using official discussion guide
- Week 5-6: Incorporate compare/contrast Gospel assignments
- Week 7-8: Facilitate partner shares about God speaking through content
- Ongoing: Track measurable impact through youth engagement metrics and faith formation outcomes
Research shows spiritual retreats, service, accompaniment, and faith-based use of social media result in positive youth ministry outcomes across Latin America. The Marist Education Authority positions these series as trustworthy tools for community engagement and curriculum innovation aligned with Catholic educational mission.
Key concerns and solutions for Series To Watch Transforming Catholic School Curriculum Now
What age is appropriate for The Chosen?
The Chosen is rated appropriate for ages 13+, with most Catholic youth groups using it for middle school through young adult ministries. The series contains minimal violence and no explicit content, focusing instead on human relationships and Gospel storytelling.
How do I facilitate youth group discussions about secular TV shows?
Start with compare/contrast assignments between show themes and Catholic teaching. For Stranger Things, discuss communion versus isolation. For Daredevil, explore sacramental confession. Always provide adult facilitation and pre-screen episodes for age-appropriate content.
Are there discussion guides available for these series?
Yes. The Chosen has official parish resource packs with 8-week discussion guides designed for virtual Zoom meetings. Catholic Religion Teacher blogs offer Reflecting on The Chosen, Visio Divina guides, and Bible comparison assignments. Youth pastors can access 200+ professionally designed sermon series with editable outlines and small group materials.
Which series works best for Latin American Hispanic youth?
YDisciple (NET Ministries) provides formation resources in Spanish specifically for Hispanic Catholics, including videos and discussion guides for small groups. The Chosen also has Spanish dubbing and resonates strongly with Latin American Catholic culture due to its emphasis on family, community, and personal encounter with Jesus.
What makes a series suitable for Marist pedagogy discussions?
Series aligned with Marist values emphasize accompaniment, presence, family spirit, and favoring the younger/less privileged. The Chosen models Jesus' accompaniment of disciples. Daredevil illustrates justice for ordinary people. All recommended series should support holistic education blending educational rigor with spiritual and social mission.
