Scripture: Matthew 5:13(a) – “Ye are the salt of the earth…”
Props: saltshakers and different types of salt – if you don’t have several kinds, be prepared to tell them about different types and their uses. For example; a table saltshaker – seasons our food; rock salt – used to melt snow and ice (and my family used it to melt ice in our crank ice cream freezer) – pretzel salt – a chunkier salt than used for the saltshaker; garlic salt – for cooking; Epsom salts – for soaking swollen joints; and huge blocks of salt - used for cattle and wildlife.
Snack: Pretzels with big chunky salt on them.
What do I have here to show you today?
These are different kinds of salt. Can you tell me how you use salt? (Let the children interact, and then expound explaining how different types of salt are used.
In the Bible, Jesus said, "Ye are the salt of the earth” in Matthew 5:13
Do you think Jesus thinks of us as Saltshakers? Maybe HE does!
When Jesus spoke these words in the Bible everyone knew a lot about salt. They used salt in many different ways.
1. In Bible time, salt was used as a covenant of friendship. A friend greeted with a piece of bread! If it were you back in Bible times, they would share bread and salt with you as an expression of peace and of welcome.
2. In Bible times, salt was used as a preservative – to keep food from getting rotten. It also was used to preserve animal skins that they used later for clothing.