Additional Scriptures

Exodus 24:12-18, Psalm 2, Matthew 17:1-9

Preparation 

For the Focus Moment, create a worship setting with a variety of lighthouses or lighthouse images. 

Prelude 

Play a video or audio recording of Gustav T. Holst’s orchestra suite, The Planets, movement IV, “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity.” Many recordings are available online. Be sure to have permission to use the recording. The full movement runs 7–8 minutes. If this is too long for your service, start at about 2:59 until about 5:00, to hear the primary melodic theme of the next hymn. 

Hymn at the Crossroads 

“In the Crossroads of This Moment” CCS 170 

Point out Gustav T. Holst’s name at the bottom of this hymn and the reference to his composition, The Planets. Listen for how the orchestra piece has been transformed into a hymn. 

Welcome 

Mountaintop Experience 1 

Moses 

The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” …Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. 

—Exodus 24:12, 15–18 

 Call to Worship 

Let us come to the mountain and wait for God on this Day of Transfiguration. 

 Hymn of Transformation 

“God, Whose Grace Redeems Our Story” CCS 570 

OR “Spirit, Open My Heart” CCS 564 

OR “God, Who Touches Earth with Beauty” CCS 568 

Prayer of Invocation  

Response 

Mountaintop Experience 2 

Peter, James, and John 

Do Not Be Afraid! 

In the story of Matthew 17:1–9, Jesus travels up a mountain where he is transfigured. The Gospel writer tells us his face shone brightly and his whole appearance changed. That’s what we mean by “transfigured.” God affirms, as in Jesus’s baptism, “This is my Son” (v. 5).  

Jesus is transformed to be who God created him to be. The disciples with Jesus—Peter, James, and John—were terrified and fell to the ground, hiding their eyes. But Jesus assured them, “…do not be afraid” (v. 7).  

Imagine you are with Jesus and the disciples on top of the great mountain. You’ve been with Jesus many times before, but suddenly you see Jesus shining brighter than the sun, glowing from within, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. You see a dazzling cloud above and you hear a voice say, “This is my Son.” Would you love to have such an experience? 

Sometimes we are like those disciples, afraid to have close experiences with the Divine, to be transformed into someone new. We’d rather hang onto what we know and what is comfortable—fearful of letting go. With the assurance of Jesus’s love and touch, we need not be afraid. 

—“Scripture-based Focus Moments,” 2015, Community of Christ, p. 21, adapted 

Hymn of Transformation 

“Transform Us” CCS 569 

OR “Touch Me, Lord, with Thy Spirit Eternal” CCS 574 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

Prayer for Peace 

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 52:7 

Light the peace candle. 

Prayer 

I am so blind, Lord, 

I cannot see the clearing. 

I only feel my way 

by the restraining thorn. 

I do not dare to trust my foot’s direction, 

feeling for paths 

in unsure error worn. 

Speak to my mind, 

direct my true alignment, 

light my dim eyes, 

my certainty increase. 

Out of the maze of self and narrow vision, 

lead me to mount the high lookout of peace. Amen. 

—Cleo Hanthorne Moon, Daily Bread, September, 1966 

Mountaintop Experience 3 

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory: 2 Peter 1:16–21 

 Hymn of Transformation 

“Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” CCS 566 

OR “We Are Children of Creation” CCS 340 

Message 

Based on 2 Peter 1:16–21 

 Focus Moment: Tend the Light 

If children are present, provide a coloring page of a lighthouse and crayons or allow them to hold the lighthouse models while the discussion takes place. Hold up a model of a lighthouse or arrange a worship setting with several models of lighthouses.  

Lighthouses were automated in the twentieth century, but up until then a person was employed as the lighthouse “keeper” to make sure the light was available to guide passing ships. In a sense, it was the keeper’s job to “tend the light.”  

 Tending the light was hard work. It had to be lit each night and kept burning until dawn. The water and surfaces around most lighthouses were dangerous. Kate Walker (1848–1931), the keeper of the Robbins Reef Lighthouse in Staten Island, New York, counted over 50 rescues of people (and one dog!) over her 33 years of service.  

 We heard about tending light in today’s scripture passage. It said: “You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (v. 19).  

 Let’s consider: What light are we tending? Why is our light-tending important? How might we share our light? 

Offer a short prayer over our light-tending. 

Disciples’ Generous Response  

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:3a–b 

Testimony  

In 2009 and again in 2012, your contributions to worldwide ministries Mission Tithes provided the chance for me to travel in mission to Africa. Thank you for making those life-changing opportunities possible through your tithing contributions. Because of limited luggage space, it wasn’t possible to bring gifts, but with the help of a talented assistant, we developed peel-n-stick labels with images of the lion and lamb as described in Isaiah 11.  

In every village, we were surrounded by children excited to see visitors. We asked and received permission to distribute the stickers. The news quickly spread, and more and more children appeared, waiting for their chance to receive a lion and lamb sticker. We talked about a world where it is possible for a lion and a lamb to live peacefully together. 

As the sun began to set, an unexpected aspect of our gifts to the children became apparent: the neon stickers were also glow-in-the-dark! While we were soon enveloped in darkness, the enthusiastic and bubbly presence of the children around us continued to be obvious because of the stickers they wore. They became Light to our darkness. We were changed.

—Jane Gardner 

Blessing of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes 

Gracious and Generous God, we are constantly in awe of your global creation. Bless our giving that it might bring light to those who need it. We give all that we have and are to the mission of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, Amen. 

Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes 

Hymn of Mission 

“God of Dawn, Each Day’s Renewal” CCS 51 

OR “Bring Forth the Kingdom”   stanzas 2 and 4  CCS 387 

OR “God, the Source of Light and Beauty” CCS 593 

Closing Prayer 

Response 

Postlude 

Gathering

Welcome

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

Dear God, just as the disciples were speechless on the mountaintop while seeing the transfiguration of your Son, Jesus, sometimes words fail to express the yearnings of our heart for peace. We see your brilliance and your peace that brings comfort for some, but where is this peace for the hungry, the refugee, the forgotten? We’ve woven complex systems that sometimes make peace seem impossible. Yet, the disciples experienced the impossible on that mountain. Revive us to become soothing balm for a world in pain, juicy morsels for the hungry, a comforting home for the homeless. Remind us that even when we cannot speak your peace, we can do much to foster peace in our neighborhoods and our hearts.

In the name of he who lights the way. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Jesus Prayer

This prayer is an ancient spiritual practice from Orthodox Christianity. It is a way of connecting with the gracious Spirit of Christ as we ask to receive his mercy.

The prayer comes from the scripture of the blind man calling Jesus to heal him.

Let your breath become slow and even. I will speak the prayer aloud for the first few breaths, and then you will pray silently, repeating the phrases as you breathe:

As you breathe in, pray, “Lord Jesus Christ.”

As you breathe out, pray, “Have mercy on me.”

We will prayerfully repeat these words for two or three minutes.

Close with an “Amen.” Invite people to share about this experience.

https://www.heraldhouse.org/products/yearning-for-god-discernment-and-spiritual-practice-pdf-download?_pos=1&_sid=2331abd1d&_ss=r

Sharing Around the Table

2 Peter 1:16–21 NRSVue

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The author of Peter is speaking to us from a place of proclaimed tangible experience. This author is well versed in the accounts of the transfiguration of Jesus found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The knowledge is with assurance that Jesus is indeed God’s Son.

Those he speaks of have gone to a sacred space to commune with God. In their time it was a mountaintop. But what is our sacred space? Where do we go to commune with God? To gain wisdom, light, assurance, and discover our truth?

The author reminds us to be attentive to the gentle reminders, the “light shining in the dark,” the dawning in our hearts, the prophecy, and spiritual experiences that have happened previously.

Perhaps we can gain insight from those who have gone before us? Perhaps we can look at our spiritual experiences and gain insight for ourselves? But has it not all led us to where we are now and the divine discoveries we are making? Does it point to something sacred, holy, the Living Jesus, and are we being transformed by it?

Questions

1. What sacred space, mindset, or reading do you use to receive insight, clarity, peace, or greater understanding?
2. How are you trying to pay attention to what God is doing around or within you?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

—Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Transforming God, may our lives be transformed by your love, grace, and generosity. May our response to that love and grace be humble service to others, and may generosity be part of our nature. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting 

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 569, “Transform Us”

Closing Prayer 

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

Let us celebrate the revelation of Christ in the world as we share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation, let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings 527, “Bread of the World.

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Say: Today’s scripture reminds us to shine light in the darkness. Peace is like a light that shines wherever there is need.

Let’s take three deep, peaceful breaths together.

Imagine peace inside you that shines like a light. What color is it?

Now think of someone you care about, a family member or friend.

Take a deep breath. When you breathe out, imagine sending your light to them. See them become peaceful, too.

Think of someone you don’t see often.

Take another deep breath. When you breathe out, picture them receiving your light of peace. See them become peaceful.

Think of someone you feel grumpy toward.

Take a deep breath. When you exhale, send your light of peace to them. See it surround them. See them smile and receive peace.

Now picture the whole world.

Take a deep breath. When you exhale, send your light of peace to the whole Earth. Pay attention to what you see and hear as the Earth and all the people of the world experience peace.

When you are ready, open your eyes.

Ask: What color was your light of peace?

How did it feel to send peace to someone you care about?

Was it easy or hard to send peace to someone you feel grumpy toward? Why do you think that is?

What did you see or hear when the Earth was full of the light of peace?

 —Adapted from Spiritual Practices for Young People
on All Things Are Spiritual

Exploring the Scripture

Marketing, advertising, and promotions are tools to help convince us of a need to buy something that would make our lives better by owning it. Another popular phrase is that you “just have to see it to believe it.” Marketers say this when people are skeptical or believe what they are being told is too good to be true. Much has been written by people who study the power of suggestion and social media. This passage is the opposite of attempts to manipulate people to believe in Jesus. The author of 2 Peter clearly states the testimonies they offer are not made up, but they are the result of being there when Jesus was alive and offering ministry.

Doubt is a natural experience of life. For some, doubt has taken root deep into their souls, and it is difficult for them to accept faith experiences. This passage confronts doubt and skepticism from the beginning: Pay attention. Pay attention not because we have a new product that will improve your life but because we offer you our testimony of what we experienced. We are merely telling you what we heard spoken by God and what we experienced with Jesus when he fed thousands, listened to a woman at a well, and raised his friend from a tomb. We are not telling you a myth; we share with you our story and how it changed our lives.

This passage also shares an essential connection to the Hebrew Bible. We read that if the eyewitness accounts are not enough, search back through the scriptures of prophets, and in them, you will find that our testimony is grounded in the ancient faith. Far too often, people of faith grab onto the latest fad or “quick fix,” hoping it will inspire people to join. This passage’s message is grounded in the long heritage of faith that began long ago and points the way to Jesus. Now, Jesus’ ministry is handed on to them. They bear witness to what they experienced. Now, amid all the darkness, they are passing it on to us. In some ways, this passage is the testimony of words spoken by Jesus. “Blessed are [you] who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:28).

Central Ideas

1. The testimonies recorded in 1 Peter are authored by first-hand witnesses of Jesus’ life and ministry.
2. These first-hand experiences were life changing. Those affected in this way authentically shared their witness.
3. Those who doubt these accounts are encouraged to search the long heritage of ancient faith found in the Hebrew Bible which points the way to Jesus’ ministry.

Questions for Speaker

1. Share a time when you had doubts in your faith, but others’ testimony led you to new insights and a deeper faith.
2. What are some ways words of scripture have challenged you? What are some ways words of scripture have shaped you?
3. How are you trying to pay attention to what God is doing around you and within you?
4. What testimony do you offer of how God is moving in your community?

Focus Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:16–21 

Lesson Focus: Appropriate ways to interpret Scripture 

Objectives 

The learners will… 

• engage the scripture text and Peter’s interpretation of Christ’s transfiguration and scripture interpretation. 
• identify effective ways to study Scripture including using hymnody. 
• explore the affirmation statements in “Scripture in Community of Christ.” 
• create a plan for using a spiritual practice for scripture study. 

Supplies 

• Bible  
• “Scripture in Community of Christ” from Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 63–67 
• Board or flip chart, markers 
• Paper and pens or pencils 
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS) 

Notes to teacher: In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for 2 Peter 1:16–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 47–48, available through Herald House. 

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Have the class identify numerous ways to study Scripture. 

• What ways have they tried? 
• What have they found to be their favorite or most effective way to study scripture? Have them consider why they think this way works best for them. 

Sing together “We Limit Not the Truth of God” CCS 69. 

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Read 2 Peter 1:16–21. 

• What is this letter saying about the witness of the Apostles? 
• Of all of Peter’s interactions with Jesus, which one is guiding his response to Jesus’s message or more fully confirmed the prophetic message? 
• Why do you think this is so important to him? 
• What does this passage have to say about interpreting scripture? 

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Consider “We Limit Not the Truth of God” CCS 69. This hymn has been in the last three church hymnals. 

• Why do you think this hymn speaks so strongly to us? 

Look at the affirmation statements in “Scripture in the Community of Christ” from Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, pp. 63–67. 

• How do these affirmation statements share in the beliefs from this old hymn? 
• On what do all three of these resources agree? (2 Peter 1:16–21, CCS 69, and the scripture affirmation statements) 
• What is the most important thing we need to keep in mind when we study scripture either together or alone? 
• How do we check our interpretations of scripture according to the affirmations in “Scripture in the Community of Christ”?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Create a plan to study scripture regularly, alone or with others. Learn one of the spiritual practices for scripture study and practice it regularly. Search for “spiritual practices” at www.CofChrist.org. 

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Close with a circle prayer.

Focus Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:16–21 

Lesson Focus: We do not need to be eyewitnesses of God’s transforming power before we can help transform others. 

Objectives 

The learners will… 

• hear eyewitness explanations of a “magical” thing they saw happen. 
• participate in Visio Divina using a painting of the Transfiguration of Jesus. 
• watch a short video depicting the Transfiguration of Jesus. 
• reflect on how they can help transform others and then make a piece of paper transform into a flower. 

Supplies 

• Bible 
• Projector or a way to display the Transfiguration picture (end of lesson) large enough to see details in the picture 
• Chime, singing bowl, or bell to signal transition to and from Visio Divina 
• Board or chart paper, and markers 
• A way to show the video The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Story, by Kids on the Move, found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC081rBhFsE (Used by permission) 
• Colored paper or construction paper cut into approximately 11 x 28 cm (4 ¼ x 11 inch) strips (one per person plus a few extra) 
• Scissors 
• Markers or pencils 
• Glue 
• Green pipe cleaners (one per person) 
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS) 

Note to teacher: In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for 2 Peter 1:16–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 47–48, available through Herald House. 

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Visio Divina 

Say: We are going to share together in a spiritual practice called Visio Divina. Visio Divina means seeing God. I am going to show you a painting of someone’s understanding of what the three eyewitnesses (referenced in today’s scripture passage) saw. 

Display the Transfiguration image for Visio Divina. 

Say: Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down where you can still see our picture. I will play this (chime or bell) to signal our silent time is starting and play it again when our silent time is over. 

Slowly and thoughtfully read the following, allowing pauses between statements. 

Follow these steps: 

1. (Ring the chime or bell) As you begin to find your comfortable position, you may choose to start with your eyes open or closed. 
2. Take a few moments to breathe in…and breathe out… Each time you breathe out, feel your body become heavier and sink deeper into your space. (Pause 20 seconds) 
3. Clear your mind as you open your eyes and look closely at the picture. Silently invite God’s Spirit to be with you. 
4. Continue to breathe slowly in and out as you look at the picture. Take time to notice if something stands out to you. If so, take a few moments to focus only on that part. (Pause 45 seconds) 
5. Notice the thoughts or questions you have about the picture. (Pause 30 seconds) 
6. If you choose, close your eyes, and see the picture in your mind. Is there a word or phrase you sense God whispering on your heart? Silently sit with those words or phrases. (Pause 30 seconds) 
7. As we draw our Visio Divina to a close, take a last moment of silence to feel the peace in your mind and body. Know you can feel this peace anytime because God’s Spirit is always with you; you just need to take time to stop and notice. 
8. (Ring the chime or bell.) 

Invite students to share a word or phrase that stood out to them after spending time with this picture. Invite them to share about their experience with Visio Divina. 

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Transfiguration Scripture Passage Video 

Write the word “Transfiguration” on a board or chart. 

Say: Today is Transfiguration Sunday. Transfiguration is a big word that means to change into something more beautiful. The story of Transfiguration Sunday is in several places in the Bible. To help us better understand what is special about this day, let’s watch a short video. 

Watch the video The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Story, from Kids on the Move found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC081rBhFsE 

Following the video ask: 

• What changed into something more beautiful? (Jesus!) 
• Who were the three eyewitnesses? (Peter, James, and John) In the Bible, in Second Peter, Peter wrote they were, “eyewitnesses of [Jesus’s] majesty…We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16, 18). 
• How would you have felt if you were Peter, James, or John and Jesus started glowing in front of you and then you heard God’s voice? 
• Have you ever seen something change (transform) for the better? (caterpillar into a butterfly, green trees into colorful fall leaves, seeds into flowers, sugar into candy) 

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Say: In Community of Christ, we share a sacred story. We believe, “The story of God’s transforming work in the world did not end with the testimony of the biblical writers” (Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 17). That means we do not need to be eyewitnesses of Jesus, like Peter, James, and John, for God to transform our lives. 

God continues to transform us to become better, stronger, brighter people. With our transformation, we can take actions to help others in their journey of transformation. In our craft today we are going to brainstorm some ways we can help others, and then we are going to transform a piece of paper into a flower. 

Transformation Flower 

Use the following steps to create a Transformation Flower. 

1. Give each person a pre-cut paper approximately 11 x 28 cm (4 ¼ x 11 in). 
2. Fold the paper lengthwise so it becomes 5.5 x 28 cm (2 1/8 x 11 in). 
3. Make a cut from the fold, stopping about 1.3 cm (½ in) from the cut edge. Continue making cuts every 2 cm (¾ in) from one end of the paper to the other end. Each resulting section will become a petal for the flower. 
4. On each “petal,” write one thing you can do to transform the world by sharing God’s joy, hope, love, and peace with others. 
5. Fold a green pipe cleaner in half and twist it to make a stem for the flower. 
6. Beginning with one end of the paper, glue the corner with the open edges to the pipe cleaner. 
7. Begin wrapping the strip of “petals” around the pipe cleaner, gluing every few inches. 
8. Fold, fluff, and adjust your petals. Notice how you transformed your paper into a flower, just like you can help transform the lives of people by sharing God’s joy, hope, love, and peace. 

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Read or sing the first two verses of “Transform Us” CCS 569, a hymn about Jesus’s transfiguration. 

Explain the phrase, “…stood apart on Tabor’s height.” This refers to Mount Tabor in Lower Galilee, Israel 18 km (11 miles) from the Sea of Galilee, where people believe the transfiguration of Jesus occurred. 

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Invite the class to close their eyes and sit with palms facing up as you share a sending forth prayer with them. Explain this posture is one way to show openness to transformation by God’s Spirit. 

God of Transformation, 
We are open, willing, and ready for transformation.  
We are ready to help others in their journey of transformation. 
Transform us like you transform a seed into a beautiful flower. 
May we help transform others by sharing your joy, hope, love, and peace. 
Amen. 

Focus Scripture Passage: 2 Peter 1:16–21 

Lesson Focus: When we witness of God’s love it can be transformative to others.  

Objectives 

The learners will… 

• define transformation, eyewitness, and transfiguration. 
• explain ways God’s love may cause transformation. 
• identify ways to witness of God’s love to others. 

Supplies 

• Bible  
• Six old, dark pennies (If using U.S. pennies, those minted in 1982 or earlier are solid copper and work best.) 
• Small glass container (bowl, drinking glass, or jar) 
• Something behind which you can hide the glass container (file folders standing up, a stack of books, box, big plant, trashcan) 
• Small plastic or wooden spoon (needs to fit into the glass container) 
• White vinegar (1/2 cup / 0.47318 cup) 
• Salt (1 Tablespoon / 0.98579 metric tbsp) 
• Rag or paper towels 
• Optional: water 
• Projector or a way to display the Transfiguration picture (end of lesson) large enough for children to see details in the picture 
• Chime, singing bowl, or bell to signal transition to and from Visio Divina 
• Board or chart paper, and markers 
• Projector or a way to show the video The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Story, by Kids on the Move, September 22, 2019. Found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC081rBhFsE (Used by permission) 
• Colored paper or construction paper cut into approximately 11 x 28 cm (4 ¼ x 11 inch) strips (one per child plus a few extra) 
• Scissors 
• Markers or pencils 
• Glue (or hot glue for adult use) 
• Green pipe cleaners (one per child) 
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS) 

Notes to teacher: In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for 2 Peter 1:16–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 47–48, available through Herald House. 

Ahead of time:

1. Pour ½ cup of vinegar into a glass container. 
2. Add 1 Tablespoon of salt to the vinegar. 
3. Use a small plastic or wooden spoon (not metal) to mix them until the salt dissolves. 
4. Place the container out of sight of the children as they enter. 
5. Assist younger children by completing steps two and three of the “Transformation Flower” found in the Respond section.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Place the glass container behind something to keep it hidden from the children. Depending on the size of your class, ask for two or three volunteers. Have everyone else turn their backs away from the volunteers.

Without the others watching, complete the following steps.

1. Show the volunteers two or three old, dark pennies.
2. Place them in the vinegar and salt mixture. 
3. Slowly count to 15. This will give you results like the example to the right. Count longer if you want them shinier. (It’s okay for others to hear you count.)
4. Take out the pennies and wipe them with a rag. (If available, first, rinse them with water to stop the chemical reaction and prevent them from eventually turning green.) 

Note: The vinegar and salt will remove the dark copper oxide and show the shinier copper underneath.

Ask each volunteer to tell everyone what they saw, or explain they saw dark pennies go into a glass and come out shinier, ask them questions until they provide that information.

Say: Do you believe our volunteers? These volunteers were eyewitnesses to what I did. (Write the word “eyewitness” on the board.) An eyewitness is someone who was there and used their eyes to see (witness) something happen.

These witnesses told you I made some dark pennies turn shiny. When more than one eyewitness tells us the same thing happened, we believe them because they saw it happen. Would the rest of you like to be eyewitnesses to some dark pennies becoming shiny? (Repeat the experiment.)

Later, in today’s Bible story, we will hear an amazing story from three eyewitnesses.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Visio Divina

Say: Before we hear our story, we are going to share together in a spiritual practice called Visio Divina. Visio Divina means seeing God. I am going to show you a painting of someone’s understanding of what the three eyewitnesses saw.

(Display the Transfiguration image for Visio Divina.)

Say: Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down where you can still see our picture. I will play this (chime or bell) to signal our silent time is starting and play it again when our silent time is over.

Note: People are wrong to assume children cannot gain meaning through spiritual practices such as these. Be open to new possibilities. Slowly and thoughtfully read the following, allowing pauses between statements. The times listed are minimums for younger children and require less than three minutes total time. Older children can have additional time at each pause.

Follow these steps:

1. (Ring the chime or bell) As you begin to find your comfortable position, you may choose to start with your eyes open or closed. 
2. Take a few moments to silently breathe in…and breathe out… Each time you breathe out, feel your body become heavier and sink deeper and deeper into your space. (Pause 10 seconds) 
3. Clear your mind as you open your eyes and look closely at the picture. Silently invite God’s Spirit to be with you. 
4. Continue to breathe slowly in and out as you look at the picture. Take time to notice if something stands out to you. If so, take a few moments to focus only on that part. (Pause 10 seconds) 
5. Notice the thoughts or questions you have about the picture. (Pause 10 seconds) 
6. If you choose, close your eyes, and see the picture in your mind. Is there a word or phrase you sense God whispering on your heart? Silently sit with those words or phrases. (Pause 10 seconds) 
7. As we draw our Visio Divina to a close, take a last moment of silence to feel the peace in your mind and body. Know you can feel this peace anytime because God’s Spirit is always with you, you just need to take time to stop and feel it. 
8. (Ring the chime or bell.)

Ask:

• Is there anyone who would like to share a word or phrase that stood out to them after spending time with this picture? 
• Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with Visio Divina?

Transfiguration Scripture Passage Video

Write the word “Transfiguration” on a board or chart.

Say: Today is Transfiguration Sunday. Transfiguration is a big word that means to change into something more beautiful. The story of Transfiguration Sunday is in several places in the Bible. To help us better understand what is special about this day, we are going to watch a short video.

As you watch, look for two things. First, look for what transfigures or changes into something more beautiful. Second, find out who the three eyewitnesses were who saw everything happen.

Watch the video, The Transfiguration of Jesus Bible Story from Kids on the Move found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC081rBhFsE

Following the video ask:

• What changed into something more beautiful? (Jesus!) 
• Who were the three eyewitnesses? (Peter, James, and John) In the Bible, in 2 Peter, Peter wrote they were, “eyewitnesses of [Jesus’s] majesty…We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16, 18). 
• How would you have felt if you were Peter, James, or John and Jesus started glowing in front of you and then you heard God’s voice? (Validate all responses.) 
• Have you ever seen something change (transform) for the better? (caterpillar into a butterfly, green trees into colorful fall leaves, seeds into flowers, sugar into candy) Much of the time we don’t get to witness the actual moments of transformation. Note: We only see the before and after.  (a seed just starting to sprout, a leaf in mid-color change, a caterpillar inside a cocoon). Consider providing pictures to demonstrate this.

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Say: In Community of Christ, we share a sacred story. We believe, “The story of God’s transforming work in the world did not end with the testimony of the biblical writers” (Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 17). That means we do not need to be eyewitnesses of Jesus, like Peter, James, and John, for God to transform our lives today!

Say: Just like the penny transformed by becoming brighter, God continues to transform us to become better, stronger, brighter people. When we are transformed, we can take actions to help transform others. In our craft today we are going to brainstorm some ways we can help transform others, and then we are going to transform a piece of paper into a flower.

Transform means to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character.

Transfigure means to transform into something more beautiful or elevated.

Transformation Flower

Use the following steps to create a Transformation Flower.

1. Give each child a pre-cut paper approximately 11 x 28 cm (4 ¼ x 11 in). 
2. Fold the paper lengthwise so it becomes 5.5 x 28 cm (2 1/8 x 11 in). 
3. Make a cut from the fold, stopping about 1.3 cm (½ in) from the cut edge. Continue making cuts every 2 cm (¾ in) from one end of the paper to the other end. Each resulting section will become a petal for the flower. 
4. On each “petal,” write one thing you can do to transform the world by sharing God’s joy, hope, love, and peace with others. (share toys, invite someone to play with you, smile, pray, deliver food to those who are homeless) Younger children could have a discussion of this step or draw pictures on the “petals” instead of writing words. 
5. Fold a green pipe cleaner in half and twist it to make a stem for the flower. 
6. Beginning with one end of the paper, glue (or an adult can hot glue) the corner with the open edges to the pipe cleaner. 
7. Begin wrapping the strip of “petals” around the pipe cleaner, gluing every few inches.

Fold, fluff, and adjust your petals. Notice how you transformed your paper into a flower, just like you can help transform the lives of people by sharing God’s joy, hope, love, and peace.

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Read or sing the first two verses of “Transform Us” CCS 569, a song about Jesus’s transfiguration.

Older Children: Explain the phrase, “…stood apart on Tabor’s height.” “Tabor” refers to Mount Tabor in Lower Galilee, Israel 18 km (11 miles) from the Sea of Galilee, where people believe the transfiguration of Jesus occurred.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Invite children to stand in a circle with their eyes closed and palms facing up as you share a sending forth prayer with them. Explain this posture is one way to show openness to transformation by God’s Spirit.

God of Transformation,
We stand open, willing, and ready to be transformed and to help transform others.
Transform us like you transform a seed into a beautiful flower.
As we transformed our pennies from dull to shiny,
may we help transform others by sharing your joy, hope, love, and peace. 
Amen.