Jesus Shines Like the Sun: The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-9; Luke 9:28-36 New Testament PrincipleWorship
Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. There, Jesus was changed. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Him. Peter wanted to build three shelters. But a bright cloud covered them, and God's voice said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" The disciples fell down in awe. When they looked up, they saw only Jesus. Jesus is God's Son, and we worship Him by listening to Him.
Jesus is God's beloved Son, full of glory. We worship Him with awe and love, and the Father tells us how – listen to Him.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
Matthew 17:5 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
The Law and the Prophets pointed ahead to a Savior. On the mountain, Moses and Elijah stood with Him and talked about the cross, and the Father declared that Jesus is His Son, the One to listen to.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: Whiter than white
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Hidden colors
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Listen to Him
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
Jesus is God's Son! Listen to Him!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Up the mountain, Color shining Jesus
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. Jesus' face shone like the sun, and His clothes turned bright white. Moses and Elijah came and talked with Him. Peter wanted to build three tents. But a bright cloud covered them, and God said, "This is My Son. Listen to Him!" The disciples bowed down in awe. Then Jesus touched them and said, "Don't be afraid." They saw only Jesus. We worship Jesus by listening to Him.
Memory verse
“This is My beloved Son … Listen to Him!”
Adapted from Matthew 17:5
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever seen something so bright you had to cover your eyes?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today three friends saw Jesus shine brighter than anything!"
Bible story 6 min
One day, Jesus took three friends – Peter, James and John. They climbed up a high mountain to pray.
Then something amazing happened. Jesus changed! His face shone like the sun. His clothes turned as white as light.
Then Moses and Elijah appeared! They were great men of God from long ago. They talked with Jesus.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: A white sheet or white T-shirt, A strong flashlight
- Choose Jesus, Peter, James, John, Moses and Elijah. A helper is God's voice from offstage.
- Act out the skit. Shine the flashlight on "Jesus."
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
About a week after Peter said Jesus was the Christ, Jesus took Peter, James and John up a high mountain. He was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Him. Peter offered to build three shelters, but a bright cloud covered them, and the Father said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" When they looked up, they saw only Jesus. Jesus is God's Son. We worship Him by listening to Him.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: On the mountain, Listen to Him
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Days after Jesus began to teach that He must suffer and die, He let three disciples see His glory. On a high mountain His face shone like the sun, and Moses and Elijah, the Law and the Prophets, spoke with Him about His coming "exodus" in Jerusalem. Peter tried to honor all three equally, but the Father interrupted, "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!" When the cloud lifted, there was Jesus only. The glory was always His. True worship bows before Him and listens to Him above every other voice.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Glory revealed, Jesus only
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Worship
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Kings and ProphetsElijah on Mount Carmel1 Kings 18:1-2; 1 Kings 18:17-39On Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal, and the LORD answered with fire from heaven, showing that He alone is the true God.Old TestamentWorship
Seeing God's WorldEvery Square InchColossians 1:15-20; Psalm 24:1; Colossians 3:17, 23From prison, Paul wrote to the church in Colossae that Jesus made all things, holds all things together and is first in everything. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. There's no part of life that doesn't belong to Jesus, so everything we do can be worship.New TestamentWorship
Mary and MarthaLuke 10:38-42Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and got busy making dinner. Her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him. When Martha complained, Jesus gently said that Mary had chosen the best thing. Being with Jesus matters most, so we make time to stop, listen and worship Him.New TestamentWorship
Give Thanks to the LORD: David Brings Home the Ark1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; 2 Samuel 6:12-19King David wanted the ark of God, the sign of God's presence, to come to Jerusalem. The first time, they didn't carry it God's way, and it went badly. So David studied God's Word, and this time the Levites carried the ark on poles on their shoulders, just as God had said. All Israel brought it up with shouting, trumpets, harps and cymbals, and David danced with all his might. When the ark was home, David gave everyone food and gave the Levites a song of thanks to sing, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever." Worship is our glad, thankful answer to the God who comes to be with His people.Old TestamentWorship
With Building BricksSolomon Builds the Temple1 Kings 5:1-8:66; 2 Chronicles 3:1-7:3; John 2:19-21King Solomon built a beautiful temple for God, and God filled it with His glory. But even Solomon knew no building could hold God. God came to live with His people, and in Jesus He came closer than ever. So we worship Him.Old TestamentWorship
Palm Sunday: Jesus Rides into JerusalemMatthew 21:1-11; Matthew 21:14-16Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a young donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had said the King would come. Crowds spread their cloaks and branches on the road and shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" Even children praised Him in the temple. Hosanna means "Save us!" That same week, Jesus saved us by dying on the cross and rising again. Jesus is the King who deserves our worship.New TestamentWorship