Astounded at the Greatness

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer: What thoughts, memories, or images come to mind when you hear the words, “mountaintop experience”?

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a).

What happened to Jesus when he was at prayer on the mountain? [Glory--his face changed in appearance and his clothes dazzled like lightning (Luke 9:290.]

Whom did Peter, John, and James see with Jesus on the mountain? [Moses, the lawgiver, and Elijah, the prophet, also appearing in glory (Luke 9:30).]

What conversation did they overhear? [Moses and Elijah were speaking to Jesus about what they called his “exodus” that was coming soon in Jerusalem. Note that eight days earlier (Luke 9:28), Jesus had told his disciples of his suffering, death, and resurrection (Luke 9:21).]

After the glorious sight of Jesus, Moses and Elijah Peter proposed erecting a tent for each of them on the mountain. What do you think he hoped to accomplish? What would you say was his motivation?

Luke 9:34-35 says, “While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen, listen to him!’”

• What might they be called to do in light of this revelation?

The preaching note tells us: “That seems to be what this odd little moment on the top of the mountain was all about—embracing the change, trusting in the one who brings us through; more than that, trusting in the one who calls us to change to become more, to become like him.”

• What change will you embrace so that you may grow more like Jesus?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer: God, we come to you, releasing our hardness of hearing and our resistance to change. Please open our ears and loosen our grip on the comfortable so that we can listen to Jesus and follow him whether he leads to the mountaintops or the valleys. Amen.

Rev. Sherry Bryant-Johnson, an ordained United Methodist deacon, recently retired from almost three decades of serving extension ministry appointments. She continues to live out her calling as a teacher, author, and spiritual director.