Connect

Salt and Light - Week One

June 07, 2026 0 0

 

Week 1 — Seasoning and shining 

 

Context: 

We begin our theme by looking at Jesus’s description of us as salt and light! We will be asking, what can we learn about ourselves from this analogy? And how are we bringing taste and flavour, colour and vibrancy to our homes and streets, places of work, study and worship?

What are all the different communities you are a part of? Discuss!

 

The group leader leads a quick discussion on any initial thoughts and reactions to these ideas before moving on to the next section: Introducing the Reading.

 

Introducing the reading:

These timeless words come from ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ where Jesus climbs up a mountain to address a large crowd of people who have been following him. Over three chapters he preaches about living out radical compassion, forgiveness and selflessness — setting out his stall to the eager, questioning people. Climbing up the mountain to address them is an intentional echo of Moses who ascended Mount Sinai but Jesus is not a replacement for, or repeat of Moses — he is a continuation of the same project of shaping a people to love who will go on to show the world love.

 

Read Matthew 5: 13-16

A volunteer reads these Bible text and then the group leader reads the following words from the Response to initiate a discussion on the readings and theme.

 

Response: 

The ‘Q:’ sections are questions that are thrown out to the group to initiate discussion on the passage and themes. Pause after each to discuss the ideas.

 

Q: What words leap out to you from this reading? What inspires you, challenges you or intrigues you?

Q: Salt has many properties and uses and so do we! How are we being salt in our communities? Where are we enhancing flavour? Transforming texture? Preserving goodness? Melting ice? Scrubbing grime? Manufacturing solutions? Sending signals and transmitting information?

Q: As a Connect group, how are we letting our light shine? What could we do to help our light shine for the world to see?

Q: Too much salt will ruin the meal and too much light will blind you. Is it possible to bring too much salt and light to a situation? Discuss! If so, how do we guard against such a danger in the church and our personal lifestyle?