Exodus 34:29-30a, New International Reader's Version

The Face of Moses Shines

29Moses came down from Mount Sinai. He had the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands. His face was shining because he had spoken with the Lord. But he didn’t realize it. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses. His face was shining. So they were afraid to come near him.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Luke 9:28-36, New International Reader's Version

Jesus’ Appearance Is Changed

28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he went up on a mountain to pray. He took Peter, John and James with him. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed. His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in shining glory. Jesus and the two of them talked together. 31 They talked about how he would be leaving them soon. This was going to happen in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions had been very sleepy. But then they became completely awake. They saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter spoke up. “Master,” he said to him, “it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter didn’t really know what he was saying.

34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them. The disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud. It said, “This is my Son, and I have chosen him. Listen to him.” 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept quiet about this. They didn’t tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Message:

Have you ever had a toy or something else that glows in the dark? I am not talking about a battery-powered light-up toy or a glow stick that you must snap and shake to get it to glow. I am talking about a toy or ball that glows due to the light that shines on it before you place it in the dark. Have you ever had a toy, ball, or sticker on the wall of your room that glows like that? (Allow children to answer.)

If you have, you know that it will glow much brighter if you hold it close to a light bulb for a few moments before you turn off the lights. The toy is made of a special material that soaks up energy from the light and then gives off its own light.

Today, we have two passages of scripture, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. The first passage teaches us that whenever Moses talked to God, his face would shine afterward. Moses had come down from the mountain after he received the Ten Commandments from God. When he came off the mountain, his face shone because he had been standing in God's presence. Being so close to God and talking to God made Moses become more like God. His face glowed with the light of heaven. Other people noticed it before Moses did. Looking at Moses’s face helped the people know how glorious God is.

In today’s second scripture passage, we read how Jesus took three of his closest friends, James, Peter, and John, up to the top of a mountain with him. While they were up there, something amazing happened! Jesus changed before their eyes. He changed from an ordinary-looking man into someone with shining clothes, like an angel. It was as if a light had begun to shine brightly inside Jesus. His face and body and even his clothes began to shine brightly.

The event we are talking about is called “Transfiguration.” That’s a big word—can you say it? (Allow children to repeat the word.) Jesus was suddenly shining as bright as the sun. He was full of light!

Jesus shining so powerfully and brightly terrified the disciples. Then they saw two other people in the light. There beside Jesus stood Moses and Elijah. You earlier heard about Moses’s experience on the mountaintop. A bright cloud covered Jesus and the disciples, and the disciples heard a voice. It wasn’t just anyone’s voice; it was the voice of God coming from the cloud. God’s voice said, “This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!”

The disciples realized they were in God’s presence and fell flat on their faces in fear. Jesus comforted them and encouraged them to get back up. At that moment, the disciples had caught a glimpse of who Christ was. When Jesus came to Earth, he was both one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God. People had been waiting for a Savior for a long time and wondered what he would be like. Peter, James, and John wondered too! They thought Jesus was the one they had been waiting for, and this “transfiguration” on the mountain made them completely positive. Seeing Jesus transformed and shining so brightly and hearing God’s voice made them certain of who they were following. Jesus was truly God.

We can learn something from both passages of Moses’s encounter with God and the disciples’ encounter with Jesus. We don’t speak to God face-to-face the way Moses did or hear God’s voice aloud as the disciples did, but whenever we pray, we spend time with God. This time alone with God prepares us to be faithful to God. Whenever we worship, we are showing our honest selves to God. Whenever we accept God’s forgiveness for something we have done wrong or enjoy the love and kindness of others, we are soaking up the love that God has for us. That proves that God wants to have a relationship with us.

Just like the glow-in-the-dark toy that gets energy from light, we get energy and power from the love God offers us. Then we give off a light that shines brightly! Our faces may not glow as Moses’s face did. We may not be as shiny as Jesus appeared, but we can still pass on that light and love of God to others. When we do that, we may not see God’s glow on our faces, but others will notice it.

That reminds me of a song that we all should know. Can you help me sing a verse of “This Little Light of Mine”?

This light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

When you have God’s love in your life, your face will show it. People will feel God’s love through a shared smile or warm greeting. They will feel God’s presence through silent prayer and conversation or handclapping praise and worship.

This beautiful face of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

I wonder who you will encounter this week who will see your face glow with the love of God. How will you make your face shine for others? How can you share God's love with people you spend time with this week? Let’s see if we can name four ways to shine our light this week. (Allow children to provide four ways.) Wow! Those are all great ways to show the world around us how being in the presence of God makes us shine!

Have you ever felt the joy in someone else? It’s such a good feeling. Have you ever noticed that a smile is contagious? Nothing needs to be said. No words need to be spoken. A big broad grin across your face can show others that you are in God's presence and that God loves you. And that can help people know the glory of God.

As I sing again, I invite you to find someone in this room. Look at them. Make eye contact with them. Are you looking at them? When you sing this verse, smile at them. Show them that they are in the presence of God as your face shines.

This beautiful face of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
This beautiful face of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Prayer:

God, thank you for listening to my prayers and for being present with me wherever I go. Thank you for your light and love. Help me to reflect light and love in my life so that others will feel your presence and love. Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

As a family, discuss what it means to "shine your light."
Each night throughout the week, reflect and talk about how you shared God’s love with others in your life.
As a family, discuss how to be more like Jesus this week.
In the passage from Exodus, Moses was visibly transformed after being with God. He was glowing after spending some time alone with God. Others noticed this change before Moses did. Discuss as a family a time when you had an internal experience that changed you. Did others notice the way it changed your behavior? How did you feel after the experience? How did it affect your relationship with God? With others?
Discuss how you can find a balance between the “mountaintop” spiritual experiences in the presence of God and the challenges you face every day. Explain why you need to spend time alone with God to give you energy and power. Name a few ways you can intentionally spend time with God daily. One effective way could be using the “Coins for Lent” calendar as a guide and daily prayer reminder.
Both Moses and the disciples demonstrated how their lives were transformed after an encounter with God. In Moses’s case, his face shone after speaking with God. This change showed how God’s presence affected his life. Tell a family member how their face shined with the love of God this week. After exchanging examples, wonder together how those moments gave you energy and power. Did you feel it? How does that make you feel? How does that motivate you in your daily life?
Watch/listen to the Go Fish version of the song "This Little Light of Mine." Come up with a new verse based on events of your week as a family. Where did you shine your light? Did others experience God’s presence in you?