"Pass the Salt" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus proclaimed that His followers would be the “salt of the earth.” What does that mean?First, there’s nothing that can duplicate salt’s flavor. It’s unique and it goes with almost anything. In a similar way, there’s nothing like the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyone needs it, and Christ’s followers are called to share it! There is no substitute. A second meaning communicated by Christ’s salt analogy lies in salt’s use as a preservative. For ages, salt was used to preserve meats and other foods. Christians are meant to be a preservative of the earth: in becoming and behaving like Christ, our lifestyles and values help to slow the moral and spiritual decay of the world. If we do not do these things, then we have lost our unique purpose in the world - just like salt that lost its flavor.

Main Passages

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
- Matthew 5:13

Discussion Questions

1. Salt preserves things. Christians slow the moral and spiritual decay of the world around them through their words and lives. Have you ever impacted the situation around you because you walked out your faith? What happened?

2. Salt enhances flavor in a unique way. Christians bring the Gospel, which is unique in its message and its power to save those who hear it, to those around them. Who have you brought the Gospel to recently?

Apply

1. Be salt in the way you live, and by sharing the Gospel. If good things start to happen because you’re behaving as salt, then share with your group throughout the week!

“Absent or Abiding?” Discussion Guide

Main Thought

God wants to be present, active, and involved in our lives. God also invites us to abide, or remain, in Christ. Spiritual fruit like unconditional love, unwavering joy, and new disciples comes from our lives when we abide in Christ. Sometimes, we forget to abide in Christ because we’re busy. At other times, we’d rather remain occupied with other things. This can make us happy for a short time but we’ll eventually find ourselves spiritually drained. 

We abide in Christ when we read His Word, talk to Him in prayer, and obey Him consistently. Obeying Christ begins with the Great Commandments (to love God and other people), and with the Great Commission to “go and make disciples.” That’s when the spiritual fruit mentioned previously grows naturally out of our lives! We need to make the choice. If we’re absent, we’ll be empty. If we abide, then we’ll be fruitful.

Main Passages

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
- John 15:1-8

35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
- John 4:35-36

Discussion Questions

1. What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?

2. What keeps you from abiding in Christ? Busyness? Being occupied with other pursuits? Maybe both?

3. What can you do to abide in Christ?

Apply

1. Reading the Bible, talking to God in prayer, and obeying God help us to abide in Christ. Do what it takes to abide!

"Put a Ring on It" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

Successful relationships require commitment. A relationship with God is no different. Sometimes, we don’t fully commit to following God because we’re afraid we’ll miss out on something. We might also be overcommitted to other things. But we’ll experience our best lives when we follow God wholeheartedly! This kind of commitment reflects God’s heart and character. Jesus was fully committed to saving us, even when He had to die on a Cross to do so. To follow Jesus wholeheartedly as disciples, we must exercise the “Three Fs”: Follow God, Fish for Men, and Fellowship with the Church.

Main Passages

1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? 2 The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; 4 who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
- Psalm 15:1-2, 4

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
- Matthew 4:19

Discussion Questions

1. What can we learn about God based on the main passages above?

2. Does a fear of missing out on something or an “overcommitment” to other things keep you from following God? If so, what would those things be?

3. Do you practice the Three Fs (Following God, Fishing for Men, and Fellowshipping with the Church) regularly? Which one needs the most work in your life?

Apply

1. Build one of the Three Fs that need the most work in your life!