Serving Salt and Light to the World Around Us (Week 3)

Preacher: Stephen Scott

Worship:
This week, start your time together by listening to “Upper Room” by Hillsong Worship. This song reminds us that we need the Holy Spirit to help us to be more like Jesus. As you listen, let the words become your prayer as you invite the Holy Spirit to work within you, enabling you to serve as salt and light to those around you.

Check-in:
Sunday’s message was practical in how it calls us to live as believers. Is there any part of the message that challenged you? Did it shift how you view your conduct toward those in your world?

Synopsis of message:
This week, we continued with our Kingdom In Motion series with a message titled “Serving Salt and Light to the World Around Us’.

The sermon emphasizes that every believer is called to live as “Kingdom people in motion” by actively serving others as salt and light in a world that is morally and spiritually decaying.

Jesus uses salt and light to symbolize how believers should impact the world (Matthew 5:13–16), highlighting the properties of each in order to indicate the behaviours that believers should embody:

• Salt:
  • Preserves and protects (brings moral integrity in a decaying world)
  • Adds flavour (brings out God’s goodness and joy)
  • Heals and purifies (brings restoration and grace through speech and actions)
• Light:
  • Illuminates and guides (through God’s Word and our lifestyle).
  • Eliminates fear and brings hope (through encouraging others in dark times).

So how do we live as salt and light? It starts with serving others.

We see this modelled by Jesus, who came not to be served, but to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45).

Stephen shared three practical steps for us to serve the world around us:

1. Seize the moments – We do this by recognising the daily opportunities to be kind and compassionate and trusting that God will orchestrate divine appointments for us to serve others.
2. Conduct yourself well – Actions matter more than words; we are called to live wisely and with love (Ephesians 5:15–17). Avoid judgmental attitudes; instead; live curious and compassionate.
3. Carry the Message in all you do – Every action reflects God’s heart and carries the Gospel, so we are called to be a living testimony.

Discussion Questions:

1. Seize the moments: Be present in the small, everyday opportunities God places in our path.
   • In what ways do you see yourself being “salt” in your daily environments (home, work, community)?
   • What barriers do you face when it comes to serving others, especially outside of church?
   • How can you cultivate greater awareness of “divine appointments” in your daily routine?
2. Conduct yourself well: The way we act toward, and treat others, can either open or close the door to the gospel.
   • Are there areas in your conduct where you need to be more intentional in reflecting Christ? What might that look like?
   • In what ways can your speech be seasoned with grace and salt (Colossians 4:6) in a culture that often promotes negativity?
3. Carry the Message in all you do: Preach the gospel always and when necessary, use words.
   • Do you believe your life is paving the way for others to know God? Why or why not?
4. Living it out: What is one step you can take this week to live more like salt and light in your environment?

Check-out:
What is one intentional step you can take this week to reflect God to others through your conduct?

Additional Resources:

• Read: Matthew 5:13–16; 2 Corinthians 5:16–18
• Optional devotional: “Salt and Light” (YouVersion)