The Transfiguration - Bible Lessons for Kids
If you’re looking for meaningful ways to teach kids about the Transfiguration of Jesus, this collection of ideas can help bring the story to life. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ glory to Peter, James, and John on the mountain. Engaging crafts, hands-on activities, and printable lesson ideas can help children understand who Jesus is and why this powerful moment in the Bible is so important. These ideas are perfect for Sunday school, Christian classrooms, or homeschool Bible lessons.
The STORY OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
The story of the Transfiguration is found in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-9, and Luke 9:28-36. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain. While there, Jesus was transfigured, and He shone brightly with the glory of God. Beside Him appeared Elijah and Moses, and they were talking together. God spoke from heaven, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”
Peter, James, and John fell to the ground. When they rose again, Moses and Elijah were gone, and Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had been raised from the dead.
The Transfiguration Bible Lessons for Kids
Looking for a grab-and-go lesson to teach about the Transfiguration? Our printable crafts, discussion questions, and scripted lesson plans are perfect for ages 3 to 8.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSFIGURATION
Transfiguration means "changed in appearance". Jesus' appearance changed; His face and clothes shone brightly. This showed His true glory and helped the disciples understand that He is God's Son.
At the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared. Moses and Elijah were two of the greatest Jews in history:
Moses was chosen by God to lead God's people, the Israelites, out of slavery in Egypt. God gave the Ten Commandments and other laws to Moses.
Elijah was a prophet. He was chosen by God to lead the Israelites back to God when the Israelites chose to follow other gods (idols) instead of the One True God. God also promised that someone like Elijah would come and prepare the way to Jesus. This person was John the Baptist, who came before Jesus and told people to turn back to God.
Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the prophets. Seeing them with Jesus showed that everything God had taught before pointed to Jesus.
Transfiguration Foldable CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS
The Transfiguration is a wonderful story about the glory of Jesus! To help older kids remember the story, take time to make the foldable story found in the Transfiguration Bible Lesson for Older Kids.
This craft can be done a few different ways. The oldest kids can use the blank template to write out each part of the story by hand. Younger kids (or ministries with a short lesson time) may prefer to use the pre-printed stories available in NIV or KJV.
Take time to fold the story paper and cut out the pieces. Then have kids glue the story parts in order onto the foldable story paper.
When the kids finish their craft, remind them that the Transfiguration showed that Jesus is the Son of God, and God told the disciples to listen to Him.
Transfiguration CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL KIDS
Younger kids will enjoy making a simple printable transfiguration scene, using glitter! Give each child the template pieces found in the Transfiguration for Preschool.
First, let kids color the pre-cut pieces of Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Then, they can glue the people to the scene.
Use glitter glue to create a visual representation of how Jesus was glowing in this story. It may seem simple, but painting with glitter glue is so fun! Be sure to take time and remind kids that Jesus is the Son of God and He shines with glory.
OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES to teach THE TRANSFIGURATION
Listening Game: God told Peter, James and John to listen to Jesus. Play a game of telephone and help kids connect it to the importance of listening carefully to God.
Climb the Mountain Obstacle Course: Set up a simple obstacle course using classroom furniture, painters’ tape, pylons, and whatever you have on hand. Have kids complete the obstacle course, pretending that they are travelling up the mountain.
Glow Stick Activities: Jesus’ face shone brightly with the glory of God. We don’t really have a way to demonstrate this to kids, but you can make a connection through glow-in-the-dark. Although a silly connection, it will be memorable for kids. Give kids glow sticks and let them do some fun activities. Some ideas include:
Glow in the dark dancing: Turn out the lights, and kids can dance with their glow sticks to worship music.
Glow Stick bowling: Use glow sticks in water bottles as pins, and have kids bowl them over with beanbags.
Glow Stick Ring Toss: Turn the glow sticks into bracelets and have kids use them to play ring toss
YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE TRANSFIGURATION
The Transfiguration is an amazing story to teach kids, and YouTube might be a fabulous way to help them visualize it. Here are a couple of video suggestions. Please make sure to preview any video you intend to show your kids.
WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS?
This lesson is part of an eight-week series on the life of Jesus. Other lessons in this series include Jesus Calls His Disciples, Jesus Tempted in the Desert, Jesus the Good Shepherd, Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet, The Great Commission, Let the Children Come to Me, and Zacchaeus.
For more Life of Jesus Bible Lessons, check out: