Salt and Light Facts for 3-8 Year Olds

Categories: Sermon on the Mount

• Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth.”
• The way this is written is like someone pointing a finger and shouting, “YOU, you are the salt of the earth!”
• So what does that mean?
• Salt has many purposes.
• It is used to preserve food, to keep it safe so we can eat it.
• Salt is also used to flavor food to make it taste good.
• It is used in temple rituals.
• It can also be used as a fertilizer, if used in the right way.
• Since salt is necessary to life, perhaps Jesus is saying that the disciples are necessary to the life of the world.
• Since it’s a preservative, the disciples are meant to stand up for spiritual good, for truth, and stop immoral or bad actions.
• As a fertilizer, the disciples are to prepare the soil for the gospel, like you would prepare the soil for a garden, ready to grow plants.
• Salt is not salt for itself, but for its uses.
• The disciples are not existing for themselves, but for others.
• Jesus also says, “but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
• There is a sense of responsibility with salt.
• Then, Jesus says, “You are the light of the world.”
• Light dispels (gets rid of) the darkness.
• Even the tiniest night-light at night lights up an entire room.
• The disciples are, once again, indispensable to life.
• “A city built on a hill cannot be hid.”
• Even from far away, a city on a hill can be seen.
• “No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.”
• The light of the disciples must shine before all.
• “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
• This is the crowning statement.
• The disciples exist for the benefit of others—to bless others.
• Disciples are to let their light keep on shining.
• They are to keep on doing good works so that people may glorify their Father in heaven.
• Jesus does not promote his own glory, nor does he allow his followers to seek any for themselves.
• The disciples are changed individuals. They have the kingdom within.