Following the Forerunner to Death

Anchor Scripture: Read Aloud Together (2 minutes)

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 'Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.' And the disciples asked him, 'Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?' He answered, 'Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.' Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

— Matthew 17:9-13

Leader Note: This passage is the sermon's foundation. The disciples connect the Transfiguration to the prophecy about Elijah. Help kids see that Jesus is explaining a surprise: the messenger already came, but people rejected him. Time: 2 minutes.

Question 1: Who Was the Forerunner? (3 minutes)

Ask: Jesus said Elijah already came, but the disciples did not recognize him at first. Who was Jesus talking about, and what happened to him?

Leader Note: Expected answer: John the Baptist. He came in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way for Jesus, but the religious leaders rejected him and had him killed. If kids say 'Elijah from the Old Testament,' redirect: 'Remember, Jesus said he already came and people did not recognize him. The sermon told us this was John the Baptist—he was like Elijah preparing the way.' Time: 3 minutes.

Question 2: Missing the Messenger (3 minutes)

Ask: The religious leaders missed seeing who John the Baptist really was. Have you ever expected one thing but missed something important because you were not paying attention? How does that help you understand why the leaders rejected both John and Jesus?

Leader Note: Expected answer: Kids might share missing a homework assignment or not recognizing a friend. Redirect toward the heart issue: the leaders thought they knew everything and refused to listen. They wanted a powerful king, not a suffering servant. Time: 3 minutes.

Question 3: Why Did Jesus Have to Die? (4 minutes)

Ask: Jesus said the Son of Man would suffer just like the forerunner did. According to the sermon, why did Jesus die on the cross?

Leader Note: Expected answer: Jesus died to pay for sin—not his own sin, because he had none, but for the sins of others. He took God's wrath that we deserve so we could be saved. If kids mention 'he was killed by bad guys,' affirm that but redirect to the gospel purpose: 'Yes, but the sermon said there was a bigger reason—he chose to die to rescue us from the punishment we deserve.' Time: 4 minutes.

Question 4: Jesus Knew What Was Coming (3 minutes)

Ask: Jesus told his disciples ahead of time that he would suffer and be killed. Read what Jesus said earlier in Matthew 16:21:

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

What does it mean that Jesus knew he would suffer but still went to the cross anyway?

Leader Note: Expected answer: Jesus was not surprised. He willingly followed the forerunner to death because he loved us and planned to save us. This shows he is a trustworthy Savior who keeps his promises. Time: 3 minutes.

Question 5: The Only Way to Escape Destruction (4 minutes)

Ask: The sermon talked about the 'great and awesome day of the Lord' and a 'decree of utter destruction' for those who reject God. How does trusting in Jesus protect us from that destruction?

Leader Note: Expected answer: When we trust in Jesus, God's wrath is poured out on Jesus instead of on us. We are adopted into God's family and saved from punishment. If kids are confused about 'destruction,' explain it simply: it means being separated from God forever because of sin. Jesus took that punishment so we could be forgiven. Time: 4 minutes.

Application Prompt: Believe and Tell (2 minutes)

Close by asking each child to finish this sentence: 'One way I can show I trust Jesus this week is...'

Leader Note: Expected answers: praying when I am afraid, obeying my parents, telling a friend about Jesus, or asking Jesus to forgive my sins. Remind kids that faith is turning from sin and trusting in Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Encourage them to believe in him and not keep it a secret like the Transfiguration, but to share the good news. Time: 2 minutes.