1. You Are the Salt of the Earth (Matt 5:13) You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
1. What metaphor does Jesus use to describe his disciples? Why would he use this metaphor?
2. What is the purpose of salt, according to this verse? What does it mean for disciples to be salty and taste good?
3. What good is salt that has lost its taste?
2. You Are the Light of the World (Matt 5:14–16) You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it give s light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
1. What metaphor does Jesus use to describe his disciples in verse 14? Take a moment and list some of the characteristics of light. How might this apply to what Christians are to be? See also John 1:4–5; 8:12.
2. What value is light that is placed on a stand? How does this relate to verse 16a?
3. What is the purpose of letting our light shine? Does 1 Corinthians 10:31–33 help inform your answer?
3. An Ancient Example (1 Kgs 10:1–13) Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions…And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.
And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me…Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness…”
1. As a group, take some time and discuss how Matt 5:13–16 comes to bear on 1 Kgs 10:1–13. (1) The queen heard about God’s grace extended to Solomon and Israel; (2) She then saw and heard it first hand; (3) She blessed God: she gave him glory for what he had done Solomon and Israel.
Application
1. Take time as a group to consider how you as a group may do good works so that others may see them and glorify God. After considering this, take one or two of those things and develop a plan to implement them.
