Icebreaker in pairs or small groups: Have you ever been so excited or dumbfounded that you really didn’t know what to say but just started talking nonsense. Share about that. That is exactly what Peter did when Moses and Elijah appeared on the mountain?
Matthew 17:1-3
- How is the first part of Matthew 17 connected with Jesus’ prediction in Matthew 16:28? The beginning of the coming of his kingdom was unfolding.
- Why did Jesus only take Peter, James and John up on the mountain? They were the inner circle of the twelve. How do you think the other disciples felt about not being able to go up on the mountain with Jesus? We can only speculate. Perhaps they were used to being not invited to certain times with Jesus or there could have been some jealousy. Ask the group for their thoughts.
- What further insight does Mark add to the transfiguration of Jesus? In Mark 9:3 he said his clothing was “dazzling.”
- When Moses met with God on Mt. Sinai, his face shone brightly. (Exodus 34:29-35) How was Jesus’ transfiguration different? Moses’ was temporary and external, but Jesus’ was intrinsic divine glory showing through the veil of his human flesh.
- Does Matthew give any hint as to what Moses, Elijah, and Jesus were talking about? No, but Luke tells in Luke 9:31 that it was about Jesus’ departure.
- Of all the outstanding characters of the Old Testament that could have appeared, what was significant about Moses and Elijah? Moses met with God on Mt. Sinai to receive the ten commandments and was known as the lawgiver. Elijah was the great Old Testament prophet who also had a great mountain top experience with God. See I Kings 19:8-14.
Matthew 17:4-8
- Did Peter have anything meaningful to say, or need he just feel the need to say something? See Mark 9:6 and Luke 9:33. They say he spoke without really knowing what to say.
- How did Peter know the two men with Jesus were Moses and Elijah? They were wearing t-shirts with their names B. Peter had seen pictures of them previously C. James and John whispered their names to Peter D. When they arrived, Jesus greeted them by name E. None of the above
- Do you find it interesting that while Peter was still speaking that the cloud appeared over Jesus, Moses, and Elijah? Why didn’t God wait to send the cloud after Peter finished? Because the whole event was about Jesus and not Peter even though it seems Peter wanted to be in on it.
- How was the voice from the cloud similar and different from the voice at Jesus’ baptism? At the baptism, God’s voice said the same thing except that he did not say, “Listen to him.”
- What is the connection between the instructions in Deuteronomy 18:15, 19 and the exhortation here to “Listen to him.” Moses demanded that the people listen to the prophet who was to come.
- Do you recall another time that God manifested himself in a cloud? On Mt. Sinai with Moses. How did the people react then? They were terrified. See Exodus 20:18-21. How did the disciples react here? Fell facedown and were terrified.
- What was Jesus’ response to their fear? He touched them and told them to get up and to not be afraid. How should we respond to others when they are terrified? They need a reassuring touch and spoken word to help them calm down.
Matthew 17:9-13
- Did the “anyone” of 17:9 include the others nine disciples left behind? Did Jesus tell them the same thing in Matthew 16 after Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Messiah? Yes, plus he added here to wait until he was raised from the dead. See 16:20.
- What observation do you make about the conversation Jesus and the disciples had coming down the mountain? That the best teaching is not always done in a “classroom” setting but in the coming and going of life. Another observation is that the disciples were the ones who asked the question. They were eager students.