In Matthew 5, Jesus is speaking in what we now call the Sermon on the Mount. The sun is shining, a soft breeze is blowing across the sea, and crowds have gathered to hear what this teacher from Nazareth has to say. His teaching is powerful. It’s full of authority. It’s hard.

Read through Matthew 5-7 and you’ll see what I mean. Walking out the commands in the Sermon on the Mount is no easy subject. It’s a death to ourselves and our own selfish desires and a call to live differently. A call to live like Jesus and for Jesus.

In the midst of his commands and instructions, Jesus tells us our role in the world in Matthew 5:13. He says that we are the salt of the earth.

Salt purifies.
Salt preserves.
Salt brings flavor.
Salt can lift up.

But it has to stay salty. It has to fulfill its purpose or it’s only good to be thrown out. As Christ followers, we’re called to bring flavor to the world. We’re called to live pure lives. We’re called to lift others up.

How can you look different today? In what ways can you flavor your friend groups, your classroom, or your home? Take some time to ask God where you need to up your saltiness.

Do an Experiment

What You’ll Need:

• 3 Eggs
• 2 cups
• Water
• Salt

What You’ll Do:

• Show how salt can cause an egg, which usually sinks, to float in water. Place the egg in a cup full of water and watch it sink to the bottom. Remove the egg, add a lot of salt, and then return the egg to the water. See how it floats now.
• Show how salt can make one egg stand on another. First, ask the kids to stack the eggs. This is impossible. Next, pour salt over the egg, then stack the other on top.

What’s the Science?

• The salt allows the egg to float because salt water is denser than fresh water, thus raising the egg.
• When salt is used in stacking eggs, its tiny crystals make a strong, stable surface for the egg to balance on.

How Does it Apply?

• We’re the salt of the earth. We can lift others up, like the salt did with the egg in the cup. We can also add strength and stability to a world full of chaos.
• Can you think of other things salt is good for? How can that apply to Jesus calling us the salt of the earth?

Do a Craft

Supplies:

• Salt
• Paper plates
• Glue
• Blue and green food coloring
• 2 bowls

Create a salted earth. Separate salt into two bowls. Dye one blue and one green by adding drops of food coloring and stirring. Then, smear glue on your paper plate and sprinkle the salt on top to make it look like planet earth to remind us that we are meant to be the salt of the earth.

More Free Resources

If you enjoyed these activities, find the full lesson plan here.

Other free Sunday School lesson plans can be found here.

Free Kids Bible Study and Homeschool Resources can be found here.