Active Learning Bible Studies
Transfiguration:
Jesus, Majestic
These weekly active learning studies aim for growth in leaders and learners alike. Each onscreen study has a link beneath it to a printable version, leaving these flexible for in-person groups, remote classes, or people studying solo.
Transfiguration
"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power."
―Jesus, Mark 9:1
Photo: Michael Payne on Unsplash
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Jesus' transfiguration is recorded in three gospels. Before exploring those accounts, consider the setting of this astonishing event.
The transfiguration took place about two-thirds of the way through Jesus' public ministry. John the Baptist had already been beheaded. Read Mark 8:27–9:1.
What was Jesus teaching his disciples at this time?
Read Mark's account of the transfiguration.
What's a possible reason why Jesus brought only Peter, James, and John with him?
Why would he tell them to keep quiet about this until after his resurrection?
We can easily empathize with the apostles' fear during the transfiguration, with Peter not knowing what to say. Yet its lessons were not lost on him! Years later, he passed those lessons on to fellow Christians.
Turn to 2 Peter 1:12–21. What was the main thing that Peter took to heart from witnessing Jesus' transfiguration?
Jesus' divine majesty—the glory of the Majestic Glory!—was pronounced in no uncertain terms by his Father.
Which prophet was previously blessed to hear the Father similarly glorify his Son? See Mark 1:9–11.
But that prophet had already left this world. In Matthew 17:9–13, Jesus patiently turns our focus from the earthly to the _____________.
Peter saw the connection Moses and Elijah have with the Father's testimony about his Son (2 Pe 1:19–21)! We fellow believers also see it: how did Philip summarize the "prophetic message"?
Peter's Spirit-inspired wording in verse 15 is also noteworthy; compare how he refers to his death with Luke 9:31. The original Greek word in both verses is "exodus." What does that indicate about their focus: are they looking toward what they're leaving or where they're going?
Wouldn't it be easier to look heavenward if we saw the Son of Man shining in all his glory?
So why doesn't he do that?
Like the prophets and apostles before us, we believe. We wait for our Lord's return in glory.
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." —Daniel 7:13–14
Luke's transfiguration account mentions a significant detail: what did Jesus take his apostles up that mountain to do? See verse 28 and what follows...
Jesus, fully God, prayed. Often. Why?
Jesus, fully human, believed. What does his perfect reliance on his Father mean for you and me?
The King (1)
"You are not yet fifty years old," they said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"
"Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"
—John 8:57–58
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The "I Am" that Jesus claimed as his own name is revealed in Scripture as whose name? See Exodus 3:13–15.
Suppose your friend (or child, or congregant) asked why you believe that God would really be born human. Most people—ancient and modern—consider this blasphemy, a myth, or a misunderstanding. How would you answer from Scripture?
Scripture has long taught that the Messiah would be God-born-human.
Jesus is that Messiah. His divine nature, his kingship over the universe, is:
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announced by the I Am,
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proclaimed by angels,
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confirmed by outward signs, and
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foretold over and over in Scripture.
Jesus' Divinity: Announced by the I Am
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Genesis 3:15 God, telling Satan that the Messiah would rescue people from him. "I will" = the Messiah would be _______; "he [woman's offspring] will" = the Messiah would be ________.
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Mark 1:9–11 (see also John 1:29–34) and Luke 9:34–35
What details do you notice about God in these events?
How is Jesus different from the mere humans present?
Jesus' Divinity: Confirmed by Signs
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Micah 5:2–4 What event triggered Jesus' birthplace, foretold 700 years prior?
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Luke 1:36 Why would this matter to Mary?
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John 11:38–53 One sign came through a believer, one through an unbeliever. What do you marvel at in each miracle?
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Matthew 27:19 Signs continued at Jesus' death. Why is it significant that foreigners were involved?
Jesus' Divinity: Proclaimed by Angels
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Luke 1:30–35 Proclaimed to whom?
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Matthew 1:18–25 To whom?
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Luke 2:8–15 To whom?
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Matthew 4:3,6,11 Confirmed to whom?
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Matthew 28:1–10 To whom? And whom?
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Acts 1:10–11 To whom?
Jesus' Divinity: Confirmed by Signs
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Isaiah 7:7–17 Jesus' birth from a virgin was confirmed in advance when the LORD's word about these kings came true. ______ died (2K 15:29–30); Assyria attacked Rezin and conquered _______ (2K 17:1–6).
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Daniel 2:44 Jesus' birth during the Roman empire was prophesied before Babylonia even fell to the Persians. Then came the Greeks and finally the Romans... What emphasis does God place on his divine rule in these passages?
Jesus' Divinity: Long Foretold by Scripture
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Contemporary prophecies from Elizabeth, Simeon, Anna, and John the Baptist join the many Messianic prophecies from ancient times. Share a prophecy about Jesus that amazes you.
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Through the Spirit, Isaiah tells us the Bible must be our guide... and then this verse leads right into Isaiah 9:6–7! Why is that significant?
Jesus' Divinity: Long Foretold by Scripture
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Which of the passages referenced in just this short study mention Jesus' eternally ancient origins?
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How many of the prophecies in just this short study mention the Messiah ruling?
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Jeremiah 23:5–6 spells it out for us: Jesus is the I __.
The King (2)
Jesus answered... "Is it not written... 'I have said you are "gods"'? If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world?"
—from John 10:34–36
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In John 10:22–39, Jesus uses Scripture to testify to his divine nature as he was about to be stoned for blasphemy.
Follow the logic of Jesus' argument:
Doesn't God call even human rulers ______ in Psalm 82? (Jn 10:34,35) How much more, then, is it right for the Father's _______, sent from heaven by ______, to say, "I am God's Son"? (v 36) Look at the evidence, my _______. (v 37, 38) Believe!
Another big difference between "gods" [rulers] and Jesus [the Ruler] is seen by comparing Psalm 82:6–7 with Psalm 45:2–7 (key words vv 2,6). What's this difference?
Jesus Testifies He Is God
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John 6:38 Jesus plainly states he came from _________.
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John 17:5 Jesus boldly says his glory equals ______ and that he's existed since ________________.
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John 4:25–26 and Matthew 16:16–17 Contrast Jesus' acknowledgment with John the Baptist's response! Where did Jews learn of God's son? See Psalm 2...
Jesus Does What Only God Does
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Forgiveness was the reason Jesus came to our world.
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Read Mark 2:1–12. Only God can forgive sins' guilt (we can forgive people, but we can't erase guilt). Why did Jesus do this miracle?
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In Luke 7:48–50, Jesus again publicly forgave a sinner. This Greek word "saved" (v 50) also means "healed." Find another place where Jesus says, "Your faith has healed/saved you." When paired with a healing, does that change the word's meaning?
Jesus Does What Only God Does
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Turn to Psalm 103:1–6. What divine name describes the One who can forgive, heal, redeem, renew, and work righteousness for us?
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Recall from Exodus 3:14–15 and John 8:58 who claims that name as his own...
Jesus "made the good confession" of his true nature. Read John 18:33–37 and John 19:6–11.
Why was Pilate afraid? Why didn't Jesus prove his kingship?
Read Matthew 27:37–43. Why were they mocking? Why didn't Jesus prove he was King of kings?
Read John 20:24–31. Why was Thomas skeptical? Why did Jesus provide evidence?
What evidence has he given you?
The Kingdom
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
—Romans 8:17
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Photo: Ben White on Unsplash
In Matthew 17:24–27, King Jesus teaches a powerful lesson to his kingdom, his family of believers.
This two-drachma tax was not in the Law, but seems to have been a temple custom (similar to Nehemiah 10:32).
What does Jesus here teach Peter about:
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believers' identities?
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believers' rights?
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believers' attitudes?
"...have the same mindset as Christ Jesus..." (Php 2:5)
Read Philippians 2:5–11.
The Son of God is God; he already had all authority, all glory. Why did he serve?
How did the Father respond to his attitude and actions?
Read vv 1–4. Do we serve to earn heaven or in thanks to the Father who already gave it to us?
Why is it so hard to joyfully lay aside our royal rights to serve God and each other?
Compare Philippians 1:29 with certain rights God gives us—rights which help us joyfully set aside our other rights while on earth.
Which rights are yours according to Ephesians 1:13–14? 1 Corinthians 2:15–16? John 15:16? Revelation 11:3? Revelation 3:8? Romans 5:1–5? Revelation 2:7?
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Did Peter take Jesus' lessons of the temple tax to heart? Give specifics from what you see in Acts 3 and 4.
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Those lessons are not only for apostles but also for us ordinary Christians. What examples of this do you see in Acts 3 and 4?
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Let these examples and God's promises fill our hearts and transform our minds!