Note to the Teacher

The scripture we read is the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus found in the Gospel of Matthew. The opening activity has students sharing about the greatest performance that they have ever witnessed or been a part of. The discussion encourages students to dig deeper into what the Transfiguration is all about. The activity and discussion has students participating in their very own version of “transfiguration show and tell.” Times are based on a fifty-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

1. Ice Breaker: 'Greatest Performance Ever' (10 minutes)

Start by asking students to think about the greatest performance they’ve ever seen or been a part of. Ask them to think about all the aspects that made it so great. What type of performance was it? Who was there? How was the main act? What was the setting? How did it sound? How long did it last? Go around the room and ask your students to share about the greatest performance they’ve ever seen or been a part of. Then discuss the following:

What made the performance so great?
How did the performance make you feel?
What would you have done differently? Why?
Who would you want to experience such a great performance?

Transition by sharing with your students that today you will be looking at one of the greatest performances of Jesus’ life here on earth, the Transfiguration!

2. Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Our scripture reading today is the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Read the story first and then read it a second time. The first time, simply read it and ask your students to take note of the characters in the story. The second time you read it, invite students to participate in the story. Assign the characters listed in the story (Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah, Disciples) and reread the story while your students act it out. This may take a little longer than the five minutes allocated for this time.

Read Matthew 17:1-9

3. Discussion (15 minutes)

Retell the story in your own words. Who is there? What is happening?
What does the word “transfigured” mean? (To be changed or transformed)
Why do you think Peter asked Jesus if it was okay for them to be there in verse 4?
How would you have reacted if you were there to witness the Transfiguration?
What did the voice from the cloud say? (See verse 5.)
How did the disciples react to hearing the voice? Would you have reacted the same way? Why or why not? How would you have reacted?
How do you think we are we supposed to react when we hear God’s voice?
The disciples were overcome with fear when they heard the voice from the cloud. Have you ever been afraid of God?
What part of our lives have been transformed by Jesus? How has your life been different since becoming a Christian?
If you’re not a Christian, how would you think your life might be different if you were to become a Christian?
When the disciples encountered the Transfiguration of Jesus, they fell to the ground in worship. In what ways do we worship Jesus today?
How can we share about the transforming work that God is doing and has always been doing and will continue to do in our lives, to our friends, family, neighbors, and others?

4. Activity and Discussion: 'Show and Tell' (20 minutes)

Explain to your students that today they are going to do a version of “show and tell.” First, tell them to take a few minutes to draw their version of the Transfiguration. After about five to seven minutes, invite students to pick one of the characters from the story and write a paragraph explaining what the character witnessed and how that person felt being a part of the Transfiguration. After everyone has had the time to finish their drawings and paragraphs, go to the students (if possible) and ask them to give you a quick summary of what they witnessed. What did they see, hear, feel, smell, and taste? You may even want to hand them a real (or fake) microphone for added effect. Have some fun with this activity. After everyone has had the opportunity to share, ask the following questions:

What stood out the most or shocked you the most about this story?
If this story were to happen today, would you be able to keep this event from others?
How hard is it to not say something when you’ve witnessed something incredible?
How can we share our own personal and incredible stories about Jesus today?

If time allows, find the story of the Transfiguration in Mark 9:2-10 and Luke 9:28-36 and compare the different versions. For extra credit, check out what it says about the Transfiguration in 2 Peter 1:16-21.

Close your time together in a manner that is typical for you. Consider taking joys and concerns, then asking for a volunteer to close in prayer.

Total time: 50 minutes