Matthew 17:1-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

​Discuss these questions after reading Matthew 17:1-9:

• Have you ever had a mountaintop experience? What was it like? How did it improve your relationship with God? With others?
• What does it mean that Jesus was “transfigured”? How might that have changed how the disciples viewed Jesus?
• Why might Peter’s reaction to Jesus’ transfiguration and the appearance of Elijah and Moses have been to make three dwellings? [Wanted the moment to last.]
• What might the addition of the statement to the affirmation given at Jesus’ baptism (“Listen to him!”) mean for these disciples? 
• Verse 8 notes that when the disciples looked up, there was no one except Jesus. How is that all they needed? How is that all we need?
• How can we make each Sunday worship experience a priority to help us grow as disciples and as a community?

Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 2
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9