Summary of Today s Story

LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Summary of Today s Story On a trip to a high mountain, the disciples suddenly see Jesus transfigured, changed from a person who is special but solely human to a clear and unmistakable incarnation of God. As they try to deal with this revelation, God interrupts their distracted activity by saying, This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him! Key Concepts Transfiguration Transformation Really seeing Where You ll Find Today s Story In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Matthew 17:1-9 In Our Sunday Lectionary Today s story is told in church on the following Sundays: Year A: Last Sunday after Epiphany

2 Lesson 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Weaving Our Story with the Biblical Story We call this the Transfiguration of Jesus, as if Jesus has been changed and suddenly becomes God. But this gospel is written from the disciples point of view. Jesus is not transformed. The change is not a change in Jesus. The change is in his disciples. They are now ready to see him as he is, in his glory. Jesus is thus transformed, not by becoming who he is but by showing to his disciples who he in fact is and always was. They just hadn t seen him before. Jesus has opened their eyes. And so we move closer to salvation as we begin to see God in Jesus. Jesus allows us to see him so that we can be drawn into him. But we need to be ready to see him by turning toward him. The disciples did this by going to a mountaintop to be alone with Jesus. Though sometimes divine revelation comes unexpectedly and on God s initiative, we can be ready to receive it by praying and by allowing ourselves to be alone and vulnerable and open to God s presence. When confronted with the divine presence in all its glory, we can feel frightened and lost. Notice how nervous Peter becomes. He needs to do something! He looks for tasks to keep himself busy. But soon God stills him, and the others, with this command, This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him! Do we sometimes, like the disciples, let our own busy lives interfere with being open to God s presence and God s Spirit? Do we sometimes even purposely fill our lives with things to do in order to avoid encountering the Divine? Perhaps it would do well for us to take a few minutes from time to time for open reflection and contemplation and let God enter into our hearts and our minds so we too can listen to him. The Episcopal Thread The Transfiguration is always the reading for the last Sunday after the Epiphany, just before Lent begins. Hymns 129 through 138 in The Hymnal 1982 (New York, NY: Church Publishing, 1985) all tell of Christ manifesting his glory on the mountaintop. The Church also recognizes August 6 as a Holy Day of The Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Transfiguration touches the mystical side of the Episcopal temperament, the side that honors the mystery of the word made flesh without seeking to comprehend all of its meaning or pretending to understand all of its significance. (Given the Anglican spirit of moderation, we balance that with the practical side of the Episcopal temperament, which tells us, as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 13:12, For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. ) Gathering Check-In Invite group members to sit comfortably, giving them an opportunity to visit with each other, establish friendships and build community. Relationships are an important dimension of Christian formation, so a few minutes of visiting will enrich their spiritual development. This is also the perfect time to check in with your group members by asking them to share how they are feeling at the time or what kind of a week they had.

3 Lesson 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 matches cross Prayer small table with cloth to cover it taper candle or pillar candle After all group members have a few minutes of fellowship time, gather them together for a simple opening prayer. Ask one of the members to light the candle while saying these words from Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Explain that you are inviting the light of God to be with all of you. (You might consider posting this verse from psalm 119 in the meeting room). Invite the member who lit the candle to read this prayer: Dear God, When you call and I don t answer Please, Lord, don t give up on me. Cuz I know one day I ll listen Though I m not sure when that will be. Until then, I will try Lord, To hear what you have to say And to serve you willingly Every minute, every day. Amen. Telling the Story Set the scene: If it is a sunny day and you have a window, bring a prism to room and let it create a rainbow ordinary light transfigured into glorious light. The colors of the rainbow are always there, but we only see them through a special kind of lens. Read today s story from a Bible or tell it in your own words. For this story, telling the story may be more effective. You can focus on the journey up to the top of the mountain, which was probably a long and meditative journey for Jesus and his friends. The concept of transfiguration is a tough one for most adults to comprehend, let alone adolescents. Focus on the idea that it was not Jesus who had changed; instead, it was the disciples who came to see Jesus in a different light. They were able to really see Jesus for what he was: the Son of God! At this time you do not need to explain or discuss the story. This is the time for the youth to hear the story. For now, simply let them absorb it in their minds and in their hearts. Later, use the discussion or arts time to help the group members draw appropriate and meaningful connections between the story and their own lives. Carefully extinguish the candle.

4 Lesson 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc. Select one or more activities to supplement and enhance today s story. For each lesson, there are five suggested activities, one from each of the REACT categories. For a detailed explanation of REACT, see page 10 of the Introduction. All activities are meant to reinforce the concepts that were central to the day s lesson. Activities for This Week s Session Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 2-6 in the Appendix where we ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.

5 Lesson 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Weaving Our Faith Lesson Box 1 3" x 5" index card for the day s scribe pen or pencil a file box in which to store the cards Ask for a volunteer or assign a member to act as scribe. Then, ask the group to articulate the most important lesson gleaned from the day s reading. As a prompt, you might ask: How can God s presence change a person? What changes do you hope for in your life? Once the group has agreed on its wording, ask the scribe to write the lesson on the card, date it and file it in the box. By the end of the year, you will have a wonderful and thorough summation of the lessons covered in the participant s own words. Closing Prayer Before the group leaves, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with the blessing and love of God in their hearts. This prayer speaks to the power of transformation: Dear God, Just as Jesus went to the mountaintop and was transformed in the eyes of the disciples, so we are transformed by your presence in us. Thank you, God, for this gift. Amen. End the lesson with a dismissal that is used in church, such as: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. The group responds: Thanks be to God.

I JUST DON T HAVE THE TIME! Participants identify the things in their lives that keep them from being able to spend more time in quiet contemplation. poster board markers masking tape or poster putty pillows or cushions, 1 per person CD player and CD of soothing nature sounds Preparation: Arrange with group members or their parents to bring in enough pillows for all. Set them aside. Hang the poster board on the wall. Directions: 1. Begin by asking the group a few questions: How many of you have busy lives? What keeps you busy? (Jot down these responses.) Do you ever feel overwhelmed with activities? How does that make you feel? (Jot down these responses.) How many of you would like to have more down time? 2. Explain that right now, they are going to get some down time! 3. Give each person a pillow. 4. Invite group members to get comfortable. Some participants may choose to lie down on the floor. 5. Turn off the lights, darken the room (if possible), and turn on the CD player. 6. Ask everyone to close his or her eyes, rest and relax. Suggest that they take some time to breathe, slowly inhaling and exhaling. 7. Invite each participant to have his or her own personal chat with God, offering up up a prayer and listening for God s response. 8. Allow about 10-15 minutes of quiet time, more if you see everyone is relaxed and quiet. (Note: Most group members will take to this exercise quite well, but keep in mind: you are dealing with adolescents, some of whom can be a bit fidgety! Just let them be ) 6 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

9. Turn on the lights and bring the group back together. Ask participants what they saw and heard (other than the CD and the backs of their eyelids). You may get some wonderfully surprising responses. 7 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE Participants consider scenarios from a variety of perspectives and explore first impressions and the dangers of jumping to conclusions. copies of the I Never Saw It Like That worksheet (p. 9), 1 per participant pens or pencils paper Preparation: Make enough copies of the I Never Saw It Like That worksheet for the entire group. Directions: 1. Divide participants into pairs or small groups. 2. Distribute a worksheet to all group members. 3. Ask one member of each pair or group to jot down their pair/group s responses for a discussion later on. 4. Allow about 15 minutes for this activity; then, bring the entire group back together for a talk. Discuss: Did your views change at all from first impression to a second look or perspective? What caused you to change your thinking? What are some of the dangers of jumping to conclusions? What do you see differently now that you didn t see before? 8 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

I NEVER SAW IT LIKE THAT Consider the scenes below. Out in the world, you come upon them and they might seem fairly straightforward, right? Not so fast remember, appearances can be deceiving! Think about and discuss not only your first impressions, but also what else might be going on. Consider each situation from different angles. 1. A boy is pushing another boy from behind. 2. A man is walking down the street, stumbling, mumbling and weaving from side to side. 3 A woman is running fast, and a police officer is right behind her. 4. A dirty man in ragged clothes comes into your church one Sunday. 5. A new girl in your class hasn t yet spoken a word. 6. At a large table in a nice restaurant, an attractive man and a group of poorly dressed individuals are engaged in conversation. 7. A group of kids surround another kid, who s lying on the ground. 8. The boy who sits next to you in class stares out the window all day. 9 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED

WHAT DO YOU SEE? Legend has it that Michelangelo often had visitors who stopped by his shop to watch him transform blocks of stone into works of art. One such visitor was a young boy who showed up every day to watch Michelangelo working on a particularly large sculpture. Not once did the boy ever speak; never did he interrupt the great artist. Finally the piece was finished a beautiful angel. Michelangelo turned to his visitor and asked, What do you think? The boy, in awe of the masterpiece, answered with a question of his own, How did you know there was an angel in there? In this activity, group members will work with clay and then explain what they saw in it before they transformed it into a representation of their visions. Sculpey Clay (or any other non-drying polymer clay), in assorted colors assorted items for working with the clay: plastic knives, toothpicks, rolling pins, etc. plastic mats or waxed paper Preparation: Make sure that there is enough clay so that each group member has at least one good-sized piece, about half the size of your fist. If possible, give each person two different colors. (Note: Sculpey clay is often sold in strips; two or three strips would be adequate.) Directions: 1. Introduce the activity by reading the short story above (or tell it in your own words). The two important concepts in the story are seeing and transforming. 2. Ask group members to position themselves (on chairs or otherwise) so they will not be able to see what anyone else in the room is making. 3. Give each participant a supply of clay. Tell them the following: Don t worry about being a Michelangelo. Just think about what you see really see in the clay, and work from there. 4. Allow about 10-15 minutes for the creating to happen. 5. When all have finished, regather participants to talk about and show their creations. Ask: How did your vision transform your clay? Close: invite group members to take their artwork home if they wish. 10 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

FLIP BOOKS: THE ORDINARY BECOMES EXTRAORDINARY! Group members make their own flip books, and in so doing, watch a simple drawing transform into one with movement and growth. Post-It Notes pads or store brand sticky note pads, at least 1 per member pencils and erasers fine point markers to finish the designs store-bought or homemade flip book(s) to serve as a guide Directions: 1. Most adolescents know what flip books look like but have likely never thought about making one. Ask them what flip books have to do with transformation, with change. 2. Show the group the sample flip book(s). invite them to first flip through them quickly, then to look at them page by page. 3. Explain that one way to construct a flip book is to work backwards: first, decide on the picture you want to end up with. Draw that on the last page of the pad. As you work backwards, remove one element or part of an element from the picture. 4. If group members want their books to have motion, remind them that they ll also have to change the position of the pictures slightly from page to page. 5. Encourage participants to start with something fairly easy. Consider these suggestions: a person smiling or winking a ball going into a hole a shooting star a person on a trampoline bubbles rising and popping eyes opening and closing 6. Group members should test their designs every few pages. This is where the erasers come into play! Once they are satisfied with their designs, they can go over their drawings with a fine point marker. Important reminder for group members: The drawings are done on the right side of each page. Note: This is a long activity and could easily take up most of the creative portion of the lesson. 11 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 CRAFT

AHA! MOMENTS Group members interview each other and/or write about personal Aha! moments in their own lives: moments, events or encounters with people that somehow changed the course of their lives. Or group members may decide to interview parents or other members of the congregation for a more farreaching project. This activity works well as a multimedia project and could include videos, photos, website blogs, newsletter articles, posters, collages, etc. We suggest that this activity be spread out over at least two to three sessions. This list contains a variety of materials so that you are prepared for the group s choices. video camcorder and/or digital camera capable of taking digital movies extra batteries for camcorders and cameras notepads pens and pencils digital camera (with card or cord to download photos to computer) computer with printer computer paper and photo paper poster board for collages magazines scissors glue used copies of O Magazine (to read examples of these types of stories) Preparation: For the first session, explain the project to the group and get their input as to what they d like to do. Then, take some time to decide on tasks necessary to complete the project (writers, photographers, videographers, typists, artists, etc.). Assign the tasks or ask for volunteers. If the necessary supplies are not all available to the group, ask for help from parents or the congregation. Talk about who will donate or lend what to the project. If time permits, read one of the O Magazine articles about someone s life-defining Aha! moment to the group. Note that the person talks about his/her life before and after the moment. 12 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

Ask the group: Who here has had a moment like that? Think of people who influenced you, events that made you think about yourself in a new way, etc. What were you like before? after? What did you learn? If interviewing people outside the group, use the time over the course of the next week or two to contact the people and set up interviews. Interviews can be recorded on video or in writing and shared in the church newsletter or on its website. This is a great intergenerational activity and one that could be shared with the entire congregation! 13 LESSON 23 THE TRANSFIGURATION Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY continued