The Way of Jesus.

Week 28 - The Transfiguration

 


Leaders note: for some additional info on the transfiguration or if you are finding it confusing, check out this article. It is difficult to make sense of the transfiguration without a bit of old testament knowledge so there are some old testament references in today’s notes.

READ:

MATTHEW 17:1-9


 17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Discussion

  1. What things stand out to you as you read this passage?

  2. What do you think the disciples may have been thinking as they witnessed the transfiguration?

  3. Read Exodus 20:18-20, 1 kings 19:11-13, How does This moment evoke similar ideas to Moses and Elijah’s mountaintop experiences?

  4. Have someone read each of the following verses and ask “what does Matthew want us to see in verse 5” (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1; Deuteronomy 18:15).

  5. How does our view of Jesus affect the extent to which we ‘listen to him’?


    Application

  6. What things can you do to enlarge your view of Jesus, and see him as glorious?

  7. Are there any habits that you need to try to break that shrink your view of Jesus?

    PRAY

  8. For what you have shared, and any other prayer points you may have.