Aim to learn that Jesus was able to communicate with the spirits of Moses and Elijah

Aim
* To learn that Jesus was able to communicate with the spirits of Moses and Elijah
* To understand that Jesus had to go the way of the cross, because the people rejected him

Materials
* Bible passages – Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36
* Visual Aids – large pictures of the story
* Worksheets
* Scissors, glue, clear glitter, blue paper, sticker stars

Lesson Outline
1. Introduction
2. Story
3. Questions
4. Activities – Make Jesus Shine, Find Jesus maze, Unscramble letters
5. Review the aims
6. Prayer
Key word: transfiguration / transfigure – to change appearance so you are brighter and more beautiful.

1) Introduction
Today we will learn about a new word – transfigure. It means to change your appearance. What can you do to change your appearance?
– change clothes, wear a hat, sunglasses, your hair style?
– change your expression – smile, cry, laugh, be angry?
– paint your face?

How would you change your appearance so you are brighter and more beautiful, because that’s
what transfigure really means.
– wear bright clothes with strong colours?
– put on make-up?
– put on a big happy smile?
Today’s story is about Jesus and how his appearance changed one day

2) Story
Jesus’ Transfiguration
Jesus took Peter, James and John with him up a mountainside to pray quietly. He prayed for a long time, and his three followers sat a little way off, waiting for him. As time went by, and the day grew hotter, the apostles nodded off to sleep. But suddenly, something woke them up. Peter, James and John rubbed their eyes to make sure they were not dreaming. 

There, in front of them was Jesus talking with two men, one on either side. But Jesus looked different. His face and clothes were gleaming with a dazzling brightness, like that of lightning when it flashes across the sky. A great radiance also shone from the two men, whom the disciples recognized as Moses and Elijah. They were talking about what was going to happen to Jesus soon in Jerusalem. 

The disciples gazed in wonder at the three men bathed in such an unearthly light. Then Elijah and Moses began to fade away. 
Peter was so overwhelmed by what he had seen he did not want it to end. He called out, “Master, this is a wonderful place! Let’s put up three shelters here – one for you, one for Moses and one for
Elijah!” He did not really know what he was saying. 

As Peter was speaking, a great cloud enveloped the three apostles. God’s voice spoke to them from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 
When the disciples heard this, they fell face down on the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, the cloud had disappeared, and Jesus stood there alone and looked like his normal self. 

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until I have risen from the dead.” They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

3) Questions
1. Which disciples were with Jesus? – Peter, James and John
2. What happened to Jesus? – His appearance became dazzling white
3. Who appeared with Jesus? – Moses and Elijah
4. What did they talk about? – Jesus’ death, that was about to happen in Jerusalem
5. When did Elijah and Moses live? – Hundreds of years before Jesus
6. Can you explain what happened? – The spirits of Moses, Elijah and Moses were seen by the disciples. That’s why Jesus’ appearance changed. He was transfigured . And that’s why two people who had died long ago could be seen.
7. What happened when a cloud covered them? God’s voice said – “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8. What did Jesus tell the disciples? – Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the he had risen from the dead
9. Why did Jesus have to die? – He wanted people listen to him and be accepted by the people, so he could bring God’s kingdom on earth. Unfortunately, he was rejected by the very people God had prepared. He talked with Moses and Elijah about the situation and finally decided he had to go the way of the cross.

4) Activities
* Maze
* Find the way to Jesus

* Make Jesus shine:
1. Colour the picture
2. Cut out it out and glue it onto blue paper
3. Paint a thin layer of glue all over Jesus
4. Sprinkle glitter over him to make him shine. 
5. Add stars for decoration
6. Cut and paste the title – Jesus’ Transfiguration
– Unscramble letters to find the meaning of transfiguration. Colour the picture

5) Review the lesson aims
* To learn that Jesus was able to communicate with the spirits of Moses and Elijah
* To understand that Jesus had to go the way of the cross, because the people rejected him

6) End with a Prayer