Big Idea: Jesus is the Son of God.
Bible Basis: Matthew 17:1-9
Key Verse: “A voice from heaven said (cup hands around mouth), ‘This is my Son (hold arms out like a cross), and I love him (hug yourself). I am very pleased with him (two thumbs up).’” Matthew 3:17 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
What did you learn about Jesus in today’s true Bible story??
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Son Shine!
- Supplies: “Son Shine” coloring sheet, black light reactive markers, black light
- Directions: Give each child a “Son Shine” coloring sheet and a black light reactive marker. Encourage the children to color in the face of “Jesus.” Let them know they will not be able to see the marker on their paper until the special light is turned on. When finished, shine a black light onto the coloring sheet to make the face of Jesus shine bright.
- Say: When we shined the light on Jesus, His face became bright. In today’s true Bible story, Jesus’ face shines bright as the sun. We’ll hear all about it in a little bit and learn that Jesus is the Son of God.
- Question: Do you have a favorite story about Jesus? What is it?
+ Hot Potato (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Bean bag or similar
- Say: Today we learned that Jesus is the Son of God. We’re going to play a game that helps us talk about why Jesus is so special.
- Directions: Sit in a circle with the children. Begin quickly passing the “hot potato” around the circle while everyone sings the following song to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”: “Jesus is the Son of God, Son of God, Son of God. Jesus is the Son of God who loves me very much.” When finished singing, stop passing the “hot potato.” Have the child who is holding the potato answer the question below. Continue until everyone has had a turn answering. (If the child holding the potato has already answered, move to the closest child who hasn’t answered)
- Question: Why do you think Jesus is so special? What is your favorite thing about Jesus?
+ Let's Face It (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Paper (1 piece per child), flashlight (1 per group), markers or cray
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, Jesus’ face shined as bright as the sun. Then God spoke from a cloud and said, “This is my son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him.” Let’s play a game that helps us remember how Jesus’ face shined bright.
- Directions: Give each child a blank piece of paper and a marker or crayon. Tell them they are going to draw Jesus’ face one part at a time, but they must wait for you to tell them what to draw. Begin by telling the children, “Jesus had a head like us,” then have the children draw a head. (Draw your own picture so the children can follow along.) When everyone is finished, say, “Jesus had a mouth like us,” then have the children draw a mouth. Continue doing this for each of the following parts: head, mouth, eyes, nose, hair, and ears. When finished, turn on the flashlight and hold it to the backside of the picture. The light will shine through the paper and make Jesus’ face light up. Let each child take turns holding the flashlight to the backside of their drawing while saying the Big Idea: “Jesus is the Son of God.”
- Question: If Jesus were here right now, what would you say to Him? (Note: Remind the children that even though we can’t see Him, Jesus is here right now and they can tell Him those things anytime.)
+ In the Wild (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Dice
- Today's Bible Verse: “A voice from heaven said (cup hands around mouth), ‘This is my Son (hold arms out like a cross), and I love him (hug yourself). I am very pleased with him (two thumbs up).’” Matthew 3:17 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Preparation: For each child, attach a pipe cleaner to a jingle bell. Bend the pipe cleaner into a loop and twist the ends together to form a handle for the bell.
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, tell the children they’re going to say the Bible verse while pretending to be animals from around the world. Allow the children to take turns rolling the dice, then recite the Bible verse while performing the corresponding animal action below. (Note: they do not have to do the hand motions while performing the animal actions.)
- Animal Actions:
- Waddle like Penelope Penguin.
- Balance on one leg like Fanny Flamingo.
- Hop up and down like Boo Boo the Kangaroo.
- Bear crawl like Betty Bear.
- Flap your wings like Quincy the Quail.
- Choose your own animal movement.
+ Topher's Zoo Time Adventure! (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: Zoo Time game board (1 per group), Topher game piece cutout (1 per group), Zoo Time Adventure cards (1 set per group)
- Preparations: Print the game board, Topher game piece, and Zoo Time Adventure cards on cardstock paper. Cut out the Topher game piece and cut apart the 7 Zoo Time Adventure cards.
- Directions: Tell the children the object of the game is to help Topher the Gopher get to his friends at the zoo. Place the Topher game piece at the starting point. Place the Zoo Time Adventure cards face down in a pile. Allow the children to take turns drawing a card. Read the card aloud, then after the children answer the question or perform the action, allow them to move Topher the number of spaces indicated on the card. Continue playing until Topher has reached his zoo.
+ My Friends (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of their best friend. When finished, have the children show their picture and share about their friend.
- Say: In today’s true Bible story, Jesus climbed up a mountain with His friends. God gives us friends too! Let’s say a prayer and thank God for our friends.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by thanking God for giving us friends.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: What did you learn about Jesus in today’s true Bible story?
- Question: How would you have felt if you saw Jesus’ face shine bright? How would you have felt when you heard God’s voice speak from the cloud?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, Jesus is so, so special. He is your one and only Son. Thank you for giving Him to us, So we can live forever in Heaven. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jesus’ Transfiguration in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Jesus’ Transfiguration from the Bible in Matthew 17 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!