Salt of the Earth

Discussion Questions: “Salt of the Earth”

1.      Salt of the Earth.  (Read the verse outlined in red: Matthew 5:13a) Matthew is the only one who records Jesus stating this verse to his disciples.  What have you heard about what it takes to be the salt of the Earth?  Moreover, what are we supposed to do about that? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.      What is salt?  _______________________________________________________

3.      Where did the people in Jesus’ time commonly obtain salt? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.      What is salt used for?

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5.      The most challenging verse in the New Testament.  (Read the verse outlined in green: Mark 9:49) What does this mean?  Is everyone going to be burned up in the fire?  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6.      Salt is good.  (Read the verses outlined in black: Matthew 5:13b, Mark 9:50a, Luke 14:34).  Jesus states, “salt is good.”  What are some good qualities of salt?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.      Salt loses its flavor.  How can salt lose its saltiness?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8.      The metaphor for Christians.  How can Christians lose their saltiness?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9.      Luke defines “You are the salt of the earth.”  (Read the verses outlined in blue: Matthew 5:13c and Luke 14:35a).  What does Luke mean when Jesus states, “It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill?”  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10.  Have salt within yourselves.  (Read the verse outlined in orange:  Mark 9:50b).  How do we improve the strength and purity of our salt?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11.  What three things must salt have to affect the Earth (soil)?

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12.  What three things must Christians do to affect the world?

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