Children's Message

Date: February 15, 2026

Scripture:

Exodus 24:12–18, New International Reader's Version

¹² The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain. Stay here. I will give you the stone tablets. They contain the law and commandments I have written to teach the people.”
¹³ Then Moses and Joshua, his helper, started out. Moses went up on the mountain of God.
¹⁴ He said to the elders, “Wait for us here until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you. Anyone who has a problem can go to them.”
¹⁵ Moses went up on the mountain. Then the cloud covered it.
¹⁶ The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai. The cloud covered the mountain for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called out to Moses from inside the cloud.
¹⁷ The people of Israel saw the glory of the Lord. It looked like a fire burning on top of the mountain.
¹⁸ Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. He stayed on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights.

Matthew 17:1-9, New International Reader's Version

Jesus’ Appearance Is Changed

¹⁷ After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James with him. He led them up a high mountain. They were all alone.
² There in front of them his appearance was changed. His face shone like the sun. His clothes became as white as the light.
³ Just then Moses and Elijah appeared in front of them. Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus.
⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
⁵ While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them. A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!”
⁶ When the disciples heard this, they were terrified. They fell with their faces to the ground.
⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
⁹ They came down the mountain. On the way down, Jesus told them what to do. “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen,” he said. “Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Message:

Good morning, friends. Today, we get to imagine something truly amazing. Imagine climbing a tall, tall mountain with Jesus and his friends. You’re walking slowly because the hill is steep, and you’re breathing fresh, cool air. When you reach the top, everything feels quiet and special, like something wonderful is about to happen.

Then, right there on the mountain, Jesus begins to shine. His face glows brightly like the sun, and his clothes sparkle like lightning. It is the brightest light anyone has ever seen. The disciples cover their eyes because it’s so dazzling. Can you cover your eyes like something really bright is shining? (Allow children to cover their eyes.)

This bright light shows God’s glory, God’s beauty, God’s power, and God’s love, shining through Jesus. The disciples feel amazed and maybe a little scared, but Jesus tells them not to be afraid. When the bright light fades, Jesus is still right there with them.

When they walk back down the mountain, the disciples carry that bright memory with them. Even though we weren’t on that mountain, Jesus’ light still shines for us today. When we love, when we help, when we show kindness, that bright glory shines through us too.

Let’s imagine holding a big, glowing light in our hands. It is brighter than a lantern and bigger than our backpack. Let’s carry it gently in our hearts wherever we go. And as we go, we hear God saying, “Listen to Jesus.”

When God says, “Listen to Jesus, we should try to live the way Jesus teaches us to live. We tuck Jesus’ words deep inside our hearts, like planting a tiny seed that grows into something strong and beautiful. Listening to Jesus helps us know how to be kind, how to be loving, and how to make good choices.

Here is something very important to remember: all of Jesus’ words come from love. The most amazing part of this story is not the shining light on the mountain or the bright clothes that shone on Jesus. The most amazing part is God’s voice saying, “This is my Son. I love him.”

When we listen to Jesus and follow him, we remember something wonderful: God loves us too. We are God’s beloved children, just as Jesus was, and God is pleased when we try to live with love.

Now, let’s sing “This Little Light of Mine” to remember that Jesus shares his bright light with us, and we get to shine it for the whole world. Point to your heart when we sing, “This little light of mine,” and then stretch your arms out to the world when we sing, “Let it shine.”

(Sing with motions.)

Let’s pray.

Prayer:

Jesus, your light is bright and beautiful. Help us shine your love everywhere we go. Help us share your glory with our words, our hands, and our hearts. Amen.