Salt & Light

This month @SalwayAsh we are looking at what it means to be salt and light in our community. We are planning an activity involving home made playdough and electrical circuits – what could go wrong?

The reading is from Matthew 5:13-20. Jesus is teaching as part of the “Sermon on the Mount”, a collection of teaching in chapters 4-7 of Matthew’s Gospel which focuses on how to live as a follower of Jesus. It is less about setting out rules to follow, but instead giving examples of godly living to follow which fulfil the commandments and law that devout Jews would have known well.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 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. 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.” – Matthew 5:14-16

Salt and Light: the challenge is that Israel – God’s chosen people – were supposed to be salt and light but they had become distracted and weren’t being the beacon and example that God expected. Jesus was calling them back to good living, to shining God’s way in the world.

The call is the same for us. How does the way we live flavour our communities and shine God’s love? Or are we not as distinctive as we hope, have we lost our flavour, are we hiding our light?

To think about:

  • What does it mean for us as Christians to be salt and light in our communities, schools and workplaces?
  • What things do we do in our lives which reflect the values that Jesus taught?
  • How do we show love, care, compassion and forgiveness? Do our actions match our beliefs?
  • Think of a couple of ways you could be salt and light this month. Chat to your family about what you intend to do. Check in with each other during the week. How are you doing?

“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:19

This year we would love Salway Ash Church to become an Eco Church and are sure that the 10.15 group could be an integral part of this. Eco Church is a way of challenging church communities to think about their impact on the environment. We can demonstrate God’s values by taking care of the environment and become mindful of our consumption and energy use.

As a church community at Salway Ash we are going to work towards becoming an Eco Church and thinking about how this might help us be salt and light in our communities. Our Lent study this year links to this theme too.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 26th February. Here are links to some Lent resources you might find useful:

Live Lent shows the resources we will be using for Lent and you can also sign up for daily devotionals.

Take the 40acts challenge is a great way of doing Lent together as a family in a very practical way.