Family Devotional: Salt of the Earth
Plant it…
Demonstrate how you can make an egg stand on one end by adding salt to the table and placing the egg on top. How do we usually use salt? (seasoning foods)
Water it…
Read Matthew 5: 13.
This verse is part of a sermon that Jesus gave known as the Sermon on the Mount. He taught that Christians are the salt of the earth.
Salt is one of the oldest food seasonings. You can sprinkle salt on bland mashed potatoes and the taste is noticeably different.
Ask, How would you describe most people around us? (worldly world view, emphasizing latest trends, worried about appearance even at the sake of true worship, putting popularity as a high priority,
focusing on material things, moral standards set by society verses the Bible, selfish attitudes, I’m right mentality…)
Jesus said Christians can lose our flavor by conforming to the world. Instead, He taught we should be noticeably different.
Ask, How can we lose our flavor? (By acting just like the world does)
Ask, How can we be the salt? (Gal. 5:23, show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
Discuss real situations where you can demonstrate these qualities. (When wronged, react in grace by apologizing first; when you are going through difficult times, demonstrate joy; forgive even those who have wronged you; love like Jesus does)
We can be salt by “doing the kinds of deeds that will flow from a heart embattled by difficulties and resting in Jesus.” (John Piper)
Cultivate… (teens and adults)
Listen to the sermon from John Piper found at the following site:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cZGGPv_4dg (6:30 minutes)
Watch it Grow… (missional living)
Make a plan to be salt to someone this week. Be specific. Is there someone at school or work that you could show love to?
Click here for a printable PDF version. Salt of the Earth
For more Deeper Roots Family Devotions, you can click here for family devotions for your entire school year.