Joyful Moments in Christ

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 9:18-36

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 9:18-36 - Jesus Reveals His Glory and Calls Us to Follow Him

Jesus Reveals His Glory and Calls Us to Follow Him

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Savior, and he calls his followers to trust him and follow him, even when it is hard.

Lesson Objectives

  1. Students will learn that Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah.
  2. Students will understand that following Jesus means giving up our own way and trusting him.
  3. Students will see that God confirmed Jesus’ identity at the Transfiguration.
  4. Students will be encouraged to listen to Jesus and follow him daily.

Class Setting Notes

  1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
  2. Lesson length: 45-60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

  1. Ask students: “Who is a person you look up to and want to listen to? Why?”
  2. Show a flashlight or lamp. Turn it on in a darkened corner of the room and ask how light helps us see what is true.
  3. Explain that today we will learn how God showed that Jesus is the true Savior, and why we should listen to him.

This activity helps introduce the theme of recognizing who Jesus is and why it matters to follow him.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 9:18-36 aloud together or have one person read it.

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation: A Comparison of 7 Versions

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

  1. Listen for how people answer when Jesus asks, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
  2. Notice Peter’s response when Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?”
  3. Pay attention to what Jesus teaches about following him, even when it is hard.
  4. Watch what happens on the mountain when Jesus prays.
  5. Think about what God the Father says to the disciples about Jesus.

Teacher Background Notes

  1. “Messiah” means the Anointed One, the promised Savior in the Old Testament.
  2. Jesus used the title “Son of Man” to show both his humility and his connection to Daniel 7:13–14, where the Son of Man is given everlasting dominion.
  3. The Transfiguration gave the disciples a glimpse of Jesus’ glory before his suffering, encouraging them to trust him.
  4. Moses and Elijah represented the Law and the Prophets, confirming that Jesus fulfills God’s promises.
  5. God’s command to “listen to him” shows Jesus’ authority above all others.

Theological Insights

  1. Jesus is the Messiah, sent by God to save sinners through his suffering, death, and resurrection.
  2. Following Jesus requires denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and trusting him.
  3. The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine glory and confirms him as the beloved Son of God.
  4. God calls his people to listen to Jesus above all other voices.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

  1. What did people think about who Jesus was?
  2. What did Peter say about who Jesus is?
  3. What hard things did Jesus say would happen to him?
  4. What happened to Jesus when he was praying on the mountain?
  5. What did God say from the cloud?

Personal Reflection and Application

  1. Why is it important for you to know who Jesus is?
  2. What does it mean for you to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus?
  3. How can you show that you are listening to Jesus in your daily life?
  4. Have you ever found it hard to follow Jesus? How did God help you?

Suggested Activities

Confession and Cross Craft

  1. Provide paper, markers, and popsicle sticks.
  2. Write “Jesus is the Messiah” on one side of the paper and glue popsicle sticks in the shape of a cross on the other side.
  3. Encourage children to share one way they can follow Jesus this week. They can write it on their paper and draw a picture if time allows.

This activity helps students remember both Peter’s confession and Jesus’ call to take up the cross.

Light of Glory Illustration

  1. Use a flashlight under a thin cloth to show a dim light.
  2. Remove the cloth so the light shines brightly.
  3. Explain that the disciples saw Jesus’ glory revealed at the Transfiguration, showing he is truly God’s Son.

This activity helps students picture the difference between Jesus’ ordinary appearance and his revealed glory.

Role Play the Conversation

  1. Have three students read the parts of Jesus, Peter, and the disciples in Luke 9:18-20.
  2. Then have three others act out Peter, John, and James on the mountain seeing Jesus’ glory in Luke 9:28-36.

This activity helps children engage with the story and better remember what happened.

Memory Verse

Bible verse from Luke 9:20 about Peter confessing Christ.

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Luke 9:20 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,
Thank you for sending Jesus, the Messiah and your beloved Son. Help us to listen to him and follow him each day, even when it is hard. Give us faith to trust in his death and resurrection.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A Sunday School Lesson: Luke 9:18-36 - Jesus Reveals His Glory and Calls Us to Follow Him
Bible verse from Luke 9:20 about Peter confessing Christ.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Studies based on Luke 9:18-36 here:

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

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