Sermon Notes: Epiphany of Love (Exodus 34:6–7, Colossians 3:1–17)
Preached by Pastor Paulo Andrade, GBC Parkhill, Feb 15th, 2026
This study guide and fill-in-the-blank resource are designed to help you engage more deeply with the message “Epiphany: Seeing Jesus As He Is”
1. Epiphany is more than a historical season; it is a personal quest to move from secondhand information to a ________________ encounter.
2. The Greek word for transfigured is ________________, which refers to a transformation or revelation of nature.
3. Unlike Moses, whose face shone because it reflected God’s glory, Jesus’ face shone because He is the ________________ of light.
4. The Transfiguration represents a “________________ confluence” where the past, present, and future kingdom all converge.
5. While Jesus’ clothes were white as light on the mountain, the book of Revelation depicts Him in a robe dipped in ________________.
6. The “ultimate exchange” means that Christ’s purity is ________________ to believers, allowing us to wear white robes.
7. Beyond just admiring Jesus, the Father’s voice from the cloud gives a specific command: “________________ to Him”.
8. Peter insists that his testimony is not based on “cleverly devised ________________,” but on his status as an eyewitness of majesty.
9. Epiphany moments are not intended to replace our daily journey of discipleship, but rather to ________________ it forward.
Answer Key: 1. Firsthand, 2. Metamorpho, 3. Source (or Sun), 4. Temporal, 5. Blood, 6. Imputed (or Credited), 7. Listen, 8. Stories (or Myths), 9. Fuel
Grace Collectives Study Guide – The Epiphany: Seeing Jesus as He Is
Personal Study / Grace Collectives Small Group Guide Series:Epiphany Speaker: Pastor Paulo
Ice Breaker/Personal Reflection: Have you ever had a “mountaintop experience” (spiritual or otherwise) that you didn’t want to end? How did it feel to “come back down”?
Scripture Discussion:
1. Read Matthew 17:1–9. Why is it significant that this happened on a mountain away from the “noise and demands of ministry?”
2. The Source of Light: Discuss the distinction made: Moses as the “moon” and Jesus as the “sun.” How does knowing Jesus is the source of light change how you view His authority?
3. The Witnesses: Some suggest the three disciples were a “legal requirement.” See Deuteronomy 19:15. Why does Peter emphasize in his letter (2 Peter 1:16–21) that they didn’t follow “cleverly devised stories?”.
4. The Descent: Jesus immediately leads them back down the mountain into the valley of routines and responsibilities. Why are epiphany moments meant to fuel daily discipleship rather than replace it?
Leader Tip: Encourage the group to reflect on how “listening” to Jesus is different from just “admiring” Him.
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Part 3: Personal Study Guide
Reflection Questions:
• The Robe Exchange: Reflect on the concept of imputed purity. How does it affect your sense of worth to know you are wearing a “white robe” because Jesus took the “bloody robe” for you?
• The Morning Star: 2 Peter 1:19 speaks of the “morning star” rising in our hearts. This suggests the light becomes something internal that changes us from the inside out. In what area of your “ordinary Monday-Friday” do we need this internal light to shine right now?
Action Step: This week, identify one “assumption, fear, or plan” you have been holding onto.
Spend ten minutes in silence, practicing the command to “Listen to Him” regarding that specific area.
Going Deeper
I. The Heart of the Epiphany
• The Difference of Jesus: Discuss the “Astronomy Analogy.” Moses is compared to the moon (reflecting external light), while Jesus is compared to the sun (the source of the light).
How does this distinction change the way we view Jesus’ authority compared to other religious leaders or prophets?
• The Legal Witnesses: The presence of Peter, James, and John was a “legal team” to establish the fact of Jesus’ divinity.
Why is it important to ground our faith in historical “eyewitness testimony” rather than just personal emotions or “cleverly devised stories?”
II. The Ultimate Exchange
• The Robes: Contrast the “white as light” clothes on the mountain with the “bloody robe” mentioned in Revelation. The sources describe this as imputed purity—Jesus took our stain so we could wear His victory. How does the reality of this “exchange” affect your sense of security and worth before God?
• The Command: In the valley, we often try to “control” our spiritual experiences by building “shrines” or “tabernacles” to capture a feeling. However, God’s command is simply to listen and obey.
What is one specific area of your life where you need to stop “building a monument” to a past experience and start “listening” to Jesus’ current direction?
III. Living in the Valley
• Mountain vs. Valley: We don’t live on mountaintops; we live in routines, responsibilities, and “ordinary Mondays-Fridays.” The Transfiguration was a “preview” intended to anchor us when the valley gets dark.
• The Morning Star: Reflect on Peter’s hope that the “morning star” would rise in our hearts. This suggests that the light of the Transfiguration must eventually become something internal that changes us from the inside out.
