Transfiguration
OBJECTIVE
Students will be able to summarize the main Biblical and spiritual aspects of The Transfiguration, a Minor Feast in the Coptic Orthodox Church. Also, this lesson will focus on the elements of God's Glory, and how the disciples saw a glimpse of who Jesus was.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes
What does "Transfiguration" mean?
Definition 1: change in form or appearance.
Can you think of a time where you either gradually or suddenly had to change how you looked? What happened and why?
Definition 2: an exalting, glorifying, or spiritual change
Our Coptic faith reminds us that every time we come to Church, that we too can change and be more Christ-like. We are reminded of this possibility through our icons. The icons of the Holy Theotokos, and the saints are there to remind us of people who walked this earth but had a spiritual change, and then led the divine life through several features: golden backgrounds, halos around their heads, and a great attention to other details
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes
Matthew 17:2 - And He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light
Matthew 16:28 - The Lord wanted to teach these three disciples that He is indeed the Lord of Glory, the Lord of Moses and the Lord of Elijah, and that they were disciples who "shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom."
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 30 Minutes
What Happened?
Our Lord Jesus Christ took with Him Peter, James, and John his brother up to a high mountain, where He often did some of His teaching. Origen, St Cyril, Arnobius the Younger and others identify the Mount of Transfiguration as Mount Tabor.
Origen wrote, "Jesus did not invite all His apostles to the Transfiguration, but only Peter, James, and John. For they alone were capable of beholding His glory on that occasion and seeing the glorified appearance of Moses and Elijah."
On that mountain, the Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured before them: His clothes becoming white as light. Moses and Elijah then appeared conversing with the Lord speaking of "...His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem" (Luke 9:31).
When the transfiguration ended, Our Lord Jesus Christ came and touched the disciples, telling them to arise and not be afraid. Looking up, they saw the Lord alone who commanded them to tell no one of the transfiguration until after His resurrection from the dead.
St. Peter's response to the Transfiguration was to suggest the building of three tabernacles: one for the Lord, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
"Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" (Matthew 17:4).
Why did St. Peter offer to do that?
It is commonly speculated that St. Peter wanted to make three tabernacles because he thought the Lord needed something to cover Him from the sun. This interpretation shows us St. Peter's very human qualities
After the Transfiguration, the disciples asked our Lord Jesus Christ why the scribes were foretelling that Elijah must come first to restore all things. Our Lord Jesus Christ stated that the scribes were accurate in that Elijah would come to restore all things and that He had already come but the scribes did not know him. The same thing would cause the Son of Man to also suffer at their hands. In the Old Testament, it is written that Malachi the prophet had prophesied that someone would come "in the spirit and power of Elijah". It then became clear to the disciples that the anticipated Elijah was St. John the Baptist.
DISCUSSION - 10 Minutes
Why were Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration?
Their presence reminds us of the persistence of humanity. They were human beings like us who walked this earth, but had spiritual changes. They are the types of people, prophets, saints, that we remember for their actions that reflect Our Lord Jesus Christ
Also, Moses the prophet represented the Law since he brought down the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai. He also represented the human race as he died a natural, human death.
Elijah did not undergo a similar death; he ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire, he is then believed to have represented all the prophets collectively.
What should we remember about the Transfiguration?
Our Lord Jesus Christ could raise Moses from the dead and bring Elijah down from Heaven. Together Elijah and Moses fulfilled the Old Testament and further represented the "communion of the saints.
Humanity had a clear example of the Holy Trinity. Our Lord Jesus Christ (The Son) was transfigured before St. Peter, St. James, and St. John; the Father addressed them directly from Heaven, and the bright light surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ was a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
What do all of these things mean?
They remind us that these holy saints we see in our Church icons and hear about daily in the Synexarion, lived a transfigured life in the light of Christ's divinity; they reflected His light in the world. When we gaze upon those holy icons, we are being told, "Be like them." The Church is telling us that we can have this changed or transformed life through the imitating of our Lord Jesus Christ and His holy saints.
Perhaps the most important reason for the Transfiguration is our Lord Jesus Christ's desire to strengthen the faith of the three disciples prior to Gethsemane and suffering to come during His Holy Pascha. The Transfiguration is proof of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in His Glory, and we need to be ready and transformed.
Transforming Our Lives
What is one thing you can commit to doing this coming week to reflect your own "transfiguration" or spiritual change? How would your family, friends, school friends know you are Christian?
- Words you will not use?
- Change the time spent on social media, gaming?
ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes
Option 1: Demonstration
NOTE: Please use caution with this activity/demonstration for the students.
Materials:
- paper
- tape
- markers
- scissors
- 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
- three caps of hydrogen peroxide
- one glow stick (cut off the end)
- one 16-ounce bottle, containing 4 ounces of Mountain Dew
Invite three students to draw a small picture of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Let other kids cut out the pictures. Dim the lights. Read Matthew 17:1, then tape Jesus to the bottle. Read Matthew 17:2, and add baking soda, peroxide, and glow stick liquid to the bottle. Replace the lid, and let kids shake the bottle until it glows. Read Matthew 17:3. Have kids tape Elijah and Moses next to Jesus. Then read Matthew 17:4-8, and remove Elijah and Moses. Finally, read Matthew 17:9.
Option 2: Now You See It
Please see activity attachment below for full instructions.
NOTE: Please use caution with this activity/demonstration for the students. It is recommended that the servant prepares/tries this activity in advance to ensure results.
Materials:
- A sheet of plain paper
- Lemon juice
- Cotton swabs
- An iron and ironing board or blow dryer
SERVANT RESOURCES
The Transfiguration: The Manifestation of the Divinity of the Lord of Glory