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
"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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Photo: NASA on Unsplash
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,
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the reason two unbelievers came to lead Jesus' Church, 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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John 10:36 Rulers were sometimes referred to as "gods"... as in the psalm from which Jesus here teaches that he is different from human rulers; he is the King of kings. Different in what crucial way?
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There's another big difference between "gods" [rulers] and God [The Ruler]: compare Psalm 82:6–7 with Psalm 45:2–7 (key words are in vv 2 and 6). What's this difference?
Jesus' Divinity: Announced by the I Am
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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 ...and notice the charge against Jesus!
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 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 Immanuel's birth from a virgin was confirmed in advance by the LORD's word about these kings proving true: see 2 Kings 15:29–30, 2 Kings 17:1–6, and what happened to Rezin.
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Daniel 2:44 The timing of Jesus' birth during the Romans' reign over Palestine—and after the Greeks and Persians—was accurately prophesied before Babylonia even fell to Cyrus the Persian!
Jesus' Divinity: Why Two Unbelievers Came to Lead His Church
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Acts 26:1–23 Light... why would God have chosen blindness and restoration of sight to be the sign given to Paul? Acts 26:18 alludes to which Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah?
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Acts 1:14 Just a year before the crucifixion, Jesus' brothers didn't believe (which had also been prophesied). Yet after his ascension, we find them praying with the disciples and James leading the Church in Jerusalem! What might have caused their change of heart? See 1 Corinthians 15:7...
Jesus' Divinity: Long Foretold by Scripture
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Contemporary prophesies 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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The Spirit moved the prophet Isaiah to tell people that the Bible speaks truth; it must be our guide. Note that Isaiah 9:6–7 is part of that same message! Why is that significant?
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Jesus is God, King of kings. Jeremiah 23:5-6 even spells out for us that Jesus is the I Am! How many of the prophecies in just this short study mention the Messiah ruling?
Jesus also "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 Mark 15:25–32. 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?
Jesus' Divinity: Confirmed by Signs
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Micah 5:2–4 Jesus' birthplace was accurately prophesied some 700 years before a Roman census triggered it.
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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. Would these alone convince you? What about a sign thousands participated in?
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Matthew 27:19 Signs continued at Jesus' death. Why does it matter that foreigners were involved?