Bible ReadingColossians 3:12-15 “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.”
[38:53]Mark 9:1-13 “And he said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.' And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.' For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.' And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. And they asked him, 'Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?' And he said to them, 'Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.'”
[46:52]Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—”
[01:05:29]Matthew 11:11-14 “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.”
[01:11:49]Observation questions- In Colossians 3:12-15, what words are used to describe God’s people before they are told what to “put on”?
- In Mark 9:2-8, what details show the glory and uniqueness of Jesus on the mountain? [55:06]
- What does Peter suggest doing when he sees Jesus with Moses and Elijah, and what does the Father say in response? [58:39]
- As Jesus and the disciples come down the mountain in Mark 9:9-13, what subjects does Jesus bring up right away? [01:06:58]
Interpretation questions- Colossians calls believers “chosen,” “holy,” and “beloved” before giving commands about compassion, forgiveness, and love. How does that order help a Christian understand obedience differently than mere rule-keeping? [39:29]
- Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, yet the voice from the cloud says, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” What does that reveal about Jesus’ place in relation to the law and the prophets? [01:03:53]
- Peter wanted to build three tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. Why is that such a revealing picture of how people can shrink Jesus into one important figure among others? [01:02:55]
- Jesus gives the disciples a glimpse of glory and then immediately speaks about suffering, contempt, and resurrection. Why is that connection important for understanding the Christian life? [01:06:46]
Application questions- God’s people are called beloved before the weight of the day is carried. Where is it hardest right now to live as someone who is truly loved by God rather than someone trying to earn his care? [39:36]
- Jesus alone must be heard. What voices compete most loudly with his voice in daily life right now—fear, personal opinion, digital distraction, news, friends, or something else? What would it look like this week to listen to Jesus first? [01:01:39]
- Human religion often tries to make Jesus manageable. In what subtle ways is there a temptation to place Jesus alongside other authorities instead of above them? [01:03:02]
- God does not ask his people to walk into suffering without first giving light. What past evidence of Christ’s faithfulness could be remembered when present circumstances feel dark or confusing? [52:10]
- The path of glory passes through suffering, not around it. Is there a hardship right now that needs to be seen not only as a burden, but also as part of walking with Jesus? How might that change the way it is faced this week? [01:16:21]
- A glimpse is not the full day, but it is enough to know the sun is coming. What small but real reminders of Christ’s glory has God given recently that can help anchor faith right now? [01:13:02]
- Christ’s glory is already revealed most clearly in redemption. When was the last time there was a deliberate pause to remember how Jesus brought life out of spiritual death? How might remembering salvation strengthen faith in the present moment? [42:11]
