Grow Guide | Feb 19, 2023

The Great Teacher 

Matthew 17:1-8 (Transfiguration)

Connecting Questions

Have you experienced being on top of a mountain? What was the experience like?

Have you or someone you know experienced a divine encounter?

Context

This is our last week of our worship series called “The Great Teacher.” Each week we’ve focused on what we learn from Jesus through stories in the book of Matthew. We’re also wrapping up  the liturgical season of Epiphany this Sunday, which emphasizes how Jesus is revealed to us as the Messiah through scripture. The color of Epiphany is green, which symbolizes life and growth. Throughout this series we’ve asked the following questions: how does this connect to Easter Lutheran Church’s mission statement, “To grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ?” What does Easter need to do as a community to keep learning, growing, serving, and living as our Teacher shows us?  

The story of the Transfiguration is traditionally read on the last Sunday in Epiphany as we prepare to transition into the season of Lent. We began the season of Epiphany with Jesus’ baptism, when Jesus’ divine nature is clear and God’s voice is heard. The Transfiguration echoes these details, providing a bookend to the season. What have we learned about Jesus as a teacher and leader in the past seven weeks? How has Jesus been revealed to us through his baptism, the Sermon on the Mount, his parables, and finally his Transfiguration?

Look at the Book

• Read Matthew 17:1-8. What stands out to you in this reading today?

• Notice the details of the Transfiguration and the ways it echoes other parts in Matthew.

  • Notice the physical setting. Where else have you seen this setting in Matthew? Do you know of other places in the Bible that use this setting? What are the connections?

  • What Biblical characters appear to Jesus? Look at Matthew chapter 1. What connections do you see? What do you think the writer of Matthew is emphasizing?

  • Compare and contrast Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3:13-17 and the Transfiguration. What details are similar? What differences do you notice?

• Compare and contrast the accounts of the Transfiguration in Matthew, Mark 9:2-13 and Luke 9:28-36. What are the differences and similarities between the three Gospel accounts of the Transfiguration?

  • What is unique to Matthew’s account? Why do you think the writer of Matthew chose to emphasize these unique details?

• Where do you see tension between characters in Matthew’s account of the Transfiguration? What do we learn from the disciples’ reactions to the Transfiguration? In what ways do you relate to the disciples in this story?

• Transfiguration prepares us for the season of Lent. We’re reminded that Jesus is our Great Teacher, but in this story we witness Jesus as God’s Son, the Messiah.

  • Read Matthew 17:9-13. After the Transfiguration, what does Jesus want the disciples to know? What is he preparing them for?

  • How does this inform the way we prepare our hearts for Lent?

Taking it Home

When Biblical characters encounter the divine (angels, God’s presence, or Jesus), they are almost always immediately told, “be not afraid.” Fear is a normal human reaction to the divine, but we can’t stay in that fear. What are you afraid of this week? How can God’s presence inspire you and give you comfort?

Imagine God saying to you, “this is my beloved child, with whom I am well-pleased.” Remember you’re a child of God, loved unconditionally.