Following Jesus · Part 13 of 40 · 2 min
A Light on the Mountain
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. They left the crowds below and spent time with him.
The friends climbed the mountain together.
There something wonderful happened. Jesus' face shone, and his clothes became bright as light.
Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with him. The disciples saw a glimpse of the glory that belonged to Jesus.
Peter wanted to make three shelters, one for each of them. He did not yet understand what this moment meant.
A bright cloud surrounded them. A voice said that Jesus was God's beloved Son and told them to listen to him.
The disciples were afraid and fell down. Jesus came close and touched them.
He told them to get up and not be afraid. When they looked, they saw Jesus alone.
Later they went down the mountain. Jesus told them to wait until after his resurrection before telling others what they had seen.
A beautiful moment had strengthened their trust for the difficult days ahead.
When we feel afraid, we can remember that Jesus is gentle with those who need reassurance. Listening to him matters more than trying to make ourselves important.
Retelling of Matthew 17:1–9.
Supporting reading: The Desire of Ages, chapter 46. Open the book
Talk about it together
- Trust in God
- Listening
- What did Jesus do when his three friends were afraid on the mountain?
- How do you think they felt when he told them not to fear?
- Who can you ask for comfort when something frightens you?
Activity · 2–5 minutes
Words That Bring Calm
Think of a small thing that sometimes feels frightening. A grown-up listens and practices a sentence for asking for company with you. Then each person offers a calm, respectful response, without teasing or demanding that the fear disappear.
Try it today: We can ask for company and listen to comforting words when we feel afraid.
More stories with these values
Coloring page
Open the interactive activity or prepare a printable sheet for home, classroom, or family.
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