Discussion Questions:

Read Matthew 5:13-16 together as a group and refer back to this passage throughout the questions.

1. When Jesus calls us “the salt of the earth,” what do you think He’s getting at? If salt makes things better and brings out flavor, what should that look like in our lives as followers of Jesus? Where do you think your “flavor” might be missing right now in your life?

2. Why do you think Jesus used light as an example? What kinds of situations or relationships make it hard to keep your light shining? If someone saw your week, where would they see your light shining the brightest?

3. Jesus says to let your light shine so people see your good works, not so that they see you, but so that they ultimately see God. Why do you think it’s so easy to want personal credit instead of letting God get the glory? What are some of the practical ways this week that you can let your light shine and bring Him glory?

4. Read Ephesians 5:8. Paul doesn’t just say we have light, he says we are light. What does it mean for you to walk as a child of light in your day-to-day life? How would your week look different if you truly believed you carry God’s light into every room you walk into?

5. In your group, take some time discussing who you want to be and what you want your life to be known for as followers of Jesus. Are you becoming that? What are specific ways for you to aim to become more of who you want to become as a follower of Christ?

6. We want to be the same people in here (church) as we are out there (in our day-to-day world). Why do you think we sometimes act in ways around other “church people” that we’d never want to be caught doing anywhere else (gossip, sarcasm, or joking too far)? How can we remind ourselves that being around Christians doesn’t make wrong behavior any more right?

7. This week, what’s one specific and practical way you can live out what Jesus said in Matthew 5:13–16? How can you actually be salt and light so that someone around you experiences the goodness of God through your actions, not just your words?