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34 C P H . O R G / C U R R I C U L U M GRADE 8 TEACHER GUIDE SAMPLE 2 3 6 UNIT 7 | LESSON 51 | SESSION 1 105 JESUS SHOWS HIS GLORY Matthew 17:1–13; Mark 9:2–13; Luke 9:28–36 UNIT 7 | LESSON 51 C o v e n a n t C o n n e c t i o n In today's lesson, Jesus, Peter, James, and John have a mountaintop experience. Jesus shows His disciples His divine glory on the Mount of Transfiguration before He begins His descent to the valley of the shadow of death to pay for our sin. Jesus is God incarnate, the goal and manifestation of all God's promises here on earth and in our flesh to save us. A Mountaintop Experience What is a mountaintop experience? Describe a mountaintop experience you have had. What is the hardest part of a mountaintop experience? Mountaintop experiences are those that outshine all others. They are once-in-a-lifetime events. Student answers will vary. The hardest part is returning to everyday life. We want to continue to enjoy the experience. F A I T H C O N C E P T S The transfiguration is an important text for understanding that Jesus is both God and man. Jesus laid aside His glory to become incarnate for us. The transfiguration is the one time in His earthly ministry that Jesus revealed His true, glorious, and divine appearance to just a few witnesses. This reminds us that His sacrifice for us, from the manger to the cross and tomb, is entirely voluntary (see John 10:18). E X T R A T H O U G H T S Why Moses and Elijah? These two Old Testament figures represent the Law and the Prophets. They prefigured Je- sus, who fulfilled the Law and the Prophets (see Matthew 5:17). The fact that Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration was another sign to Peter, James, and John—and to us. Jesus is God incarnate, the goal and man- ifestation of all God's promises, here on earth and in our flesh who came to save us. Jesus Shows His Glory I N T O T H E L E S S O N Begin by asking students to define a "mountaintop experience." Students can write notes on page 105 in the Student Book. ● Once you have a good working definition, give students time to write a description of a mountaintop experience they have had. Have some volunteers share their stories with the class. ● What is the hardest part of a mountaintop experience? (The hardest part is returning to everyday life.) Use this discussion to prepare for the reading of the Bible account of Jesus' transfiguration. I N T O T H E W O R D Read Luke 9:28–36 by whatever method works well for your class—story-time style, verse-by-verse aloud, in groups, or with partners. If time allows, students could also read the accounts of this event in Matthew 17:1–13 and Mark 9:2–13. These accounts provide additional details about the conversation between Jesus and the disciples as they descended the mountain. Rebuild the Bible account by having students tell you one thing they remember from the account. Write each item on the board, building a list of the events in the order they happened. Stu- dents do not need to remember items chronologically. Estimate the items' general place as you construct the timeline so your final list will be in order. One potential outline: ● The event happened between six and eight days after Peter's great confession of Jesus as the Christ and Jesus foretelling His death. ● Jesus took Peter, James, and John up the mountain to pray. ● As Jesus was praying, His appearance changed and His clothing became "dazzling white" (Luke 9:29). Moses and Elijah appeared, and they discussed Jesus' departure. ● Peter offered to build tents or shelters so they could stay on the mountaintop. ● The voice of the Father identified Jesus as His "Chosen One" (v. 35). ● As they descended the mountain, Jesus warned the disci- ples not to tell anyone about what they saw. Jesus, Peter, James, and John had a mountaintop experience together. Peter's desire to set up tents and stay there shows how hard it can be to leave life's high points and go back to business as usual. But Jesus had some very important busi- ness coming up. From the Mount of Transfiguration, He began His descent to the valley of the shadow of death to pay for our sins. CONTINUE WITH LESSON EXTENDERS

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