Sermon on the Mount: Salt and Light

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following:

Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus continues his teaching of the Sermon on the Mount by making two comparisons. First he says that we are like salt. Salt is used to flavor and preserve food. If salt loses its taste, then it is no longer good for anything. As Christians, we are to function the same way in the world, but if we do not continue to function in this manner, we are good for nothing. In the second comparison, Jesus says we are like light. When we light a candle, we do not put a bowl on top of it. This hides, or even puts out the light. Instead, we put it on a table or a shelf where everybody can see it. Just as you cannot hide a city on a hill, you want to place the light where it is seen by all. As Christians, we are to function the same way in the world as light does in a house. When we are light salt and light in the world, it brings glory to God.

Object Lessons:

Object lesson #1: Salt

Supplies Needed:
• Salt
Directions:
1. Invite the children to taste some salt. Ask them what salt is used for.
2. Explain that salt is very useful for flavoring and preserving food. If salt does not taste salty any more, then we can no longer use it in food. All we can do with it is throw it away.

Object Lesson #2: Light

Supplies Needed:
• A small candle (tea light)
• A cup or a bowl (big enough to put the candle under)
• A lighter/matches
Directions:
1. Light the candle and set it in front of the children. Explain to the children that we light candles to people can see. It would be pointless to light a candle and then hide it. (Take the bowl/cup and cover the candle.) We can no longer see the light. In fact, if the bowl is left on the candle long enough, the fire will go out. (Pick up the bowl and reveal no more flame.) God wants to use us like the candle. He wants to put us in places around the world where we can let our lights shine brightly for Him. This kind of living makes Him happy.

Memory Verse:

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Jesus Connection:

In this passage, Jesus tells us that we are all lights in the world. What does our light reveal? Our light reveals the purest, brightest light of them all, Jesus himself. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus declares that he is lighting the way to God. If we walk in his light, then we have his light in us. With his light in us, we can show the world the glory of God so that it is clear and easy to see.

Songs

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

Games/Activities

Cup Stacking

Supplies Needed:
• Plastic cups (10 per child)
• Blind folds
Directions:
1. Give each child 10 plastic cups. Keep them stacked together. When you say ‘go’, all the children race to stack their cups in the shape of a pyramid (4 on bottom, the three, and then two, then one on top). Restack cups together and repeat the race as many times as you wish.
2. Have the children stack their cups in front of them. Blindfold each child and repeat the cup stacking race. Repeat the blindfolded race as many times as you wish.
3. Ask the children which race was more difficult. Explain that when we have the light of Jesus in our lives, he helps us see the path in front of us that God wants us to walk in.

Crafts

Lantern

Supplies Needed:
• Small glass jars (pint sized)
• Crepe paper in various colors
• Glue sticks
• Tea light candles
• A lighter
Directions:
1. Give each child a glass jar and a glue stick.
2. Cut out and glue colored crepe paper to the outside of the glass jar. (I had small 1 inch squares already cut from various colors.)
3. Place a tea light candle in the bottom of the jar and light it. Enjoy the colorful glow.

Coloring Page