Use this Children’s Sermon / Bible Object Lesson on the Transfiguration in your Sunday School, Kids Church, or Children’s Ministry. Download the printable lesson plan below and watch our video teaching example to get started.
This children’s sermon lesson communicates the importance of the Transfiguration by focusing on how it allowed the true nature of Jesus to be revealed to those who witnessed it. A disguise or face mask can temporarily hide who we are, and the ability to fully see people makes a difference! In the same way, Peter, James and John had a temporary glimpse of Christ in the shining nature of God Himself. They were transformed by witnessing His transformation. We, too, should be changed when we understand and realize who Jesus is and what He’s done for us.
Law/Gospel Theme: Jesus was with the disciples for quite a while before the Transfiguration, even doing amazing miracles. Yet they still did not fully recognize His Godhood. In the Transfiguration, God showed up and exhibited the remarkable nature of His Son. Peter, James, and John marveled at the event, and were changed by the knowledge of the Holy One. We already know that Jesus is God, but sometimes become “immune” to the wonder of the fact. The Holy Spirit can show us the joy and hope of knowing Jesus came to die and remove our sins!
Optional Materials: Disguise or “masking” features (face mask, sunglasses, etc.); flashlight or light of some sort (optional)
Bible Passage: Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36
More Bible Teaching Ideas for Kids
- See the teaching demonstration of this children’s sermon and Transfiguration Bible craft ideas
- Download our free Transfiguration of Jesus Sunday School Lesson on Luke 9:28-36 for children
- Compare another Children’s Sermon on the Transfiguration of Jesus
- Compare several free PDF Sunday School Lesson Plans on the Transfiguration of Jesus from Matthew 17:1-9 & Mark 9:2-9
- See more children’s lesson ideas on Jesus’ Transfiguration from Mission Bible Class
Children’s Sermon Lesson (Luke 9:28-36) The Transfiguration of Jesus
Greet children, wearing some sort of face mask/sunglasses or disguise of sorts, perhaps also shining a bright flashlight or headlamp…
Hello, children of God! Can you recognize me? Maybe it’s tough with this bright light in your eyes…well, today’s story involves a bright shining light, as well as recognition of someone who was revealed. Now, currently, even if you know who I am, it might be tough to see my face with all of this on. It transforms my appearance a little bit, doesn’t it? Well, if I take these things off (remove disguise/mask), now it’s a little easier to notice what I look like, isn’t it? It’s remarkable how much someone’s appearance can be changed in just a few moments. You can recognize who I am better without the mask on. It’s interesting to see how wearing masks can alter what we look like. During the Covid pandemic, we wore masks for so long that there were people I hardly remembered seeing with a whole face visible! There were others who grew beards and I didn’t even realize it. When the masks come off, it transforms someone’s look, in a way.
Did you know there was a time that some of the disciples witnessed a transformation of sorts? We actually call it the Transfiguration, and it’s a special moment in the Bible where we see the glory of God revealed in Jesus. Jesus took Peter, James, and John, three of His closest disciples, up onto a mountain. The disciples were a little sleepy, but they came wide awake when something magnificent happened: Jesus was changed. His clothes turned a dazzling white and His face looked different. Then Moses and Elijah showed up! Peter was so dumbfounded he didn’t know what to do, and suggested building tents for everyone. Then there was a huge cloud and a voice that announced Jesus as the Son of God. It was a spectacular event.
What did it all mean, though? Well, the disciples already knew, to some extent, who Jesus was. They had been hanging around with Him for a while, after all, and they had seen Him do miracles. But perhaps they didn’t fully understand that He was God’s Son. When they saw Him on that mountain, it was like God revealed the fullness of who Jesus truly was. Moses and Elijah had been important prophets, but Jesus came to be greater than they were, the final fulfillment of God’s promises. God wanted the disciples to know that Jesus was to be revered, respected, and listened to. He wanted them to recognize the power and presence of God in Jesus.
When the disciples witnessed this transformation, they were transformed, too! They couldn’t see that and not be impacted. Seeing Jesus revealed as God opened their minds and allowed them to realize the significance of Jesus. They knew that they were following the right person, that Jesus was God’s Son and would continue to do miraculous things.
When we understand who Jesus is, our lives should be transformed, too. We know from the Bible that He lived, worked, died, and rose again, to rescue us from our sins. We haven’t seen Him in person, but we understand who He is and the power He still has. Sometimes we forget the power and impact of Jesus. Maybe we read His stories in the Bible and don’t pause to consider how very real and present He is now, too. It’s important for us to be changed by recognizing who Jesus is. When we realize that, our natural response should be to love and worship Him, and tell others about His love for us! We can do that now and every day.
Let’s pray to thank God for Jesus and His power:
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for revealing yourself to us through your Son
Help our lives be transformed by knowing who He is
And help us share His love with others
Thank you for loving us
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference: Jesus Christ Transfigured
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen. -Luke 9:28-36
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