As the children arrived, we challenged them to write their name backwards, then place a mirror by the side to see how they did.
We gathered to share news together.
We talked about Halloween and who was going to be celebrating it. We learned how it all began years ago, and what it’s become and whether the children really think about what we are celebrating, or is it just a bit of fun?
We talked about what some Christians might do instead, like carving smiley faces or crosses on their pumpkins rather than scary things.
Our reading today was taken from the middle of the Sermon on the Mount.
The Sermon on the Mount is considered to be like a handbook on how to live; Jesus is letting the people know how they should live their lives, if they want to follow God. Their lives should be all about love, loving God, loving others. He told them they should be kind to other people, even if people were not kind to them. He taught them about forgiving others and he told them they should help others in need and not to judge others. Most importantly they should be peacemakers.
Then he used, as he often did, something every day, that everyone knew about, to explain what his followers would be like in the world if they lived God’s way.
We read Matthew 5:13-16
We wondered, what does Jesus mean by being salt?
We asked the kids whether they like salt on their chips. Silly question, but it was unanimous yes! Why? It makes them taste better, of course!
For their snack today, they would have a pack of Walkers Salt and Shake crisps, just like the old-fashioned ones with the blue twist paper filled with salt, except the salt was in a white paper packet, so much harder to find! This meant they could try taste the crisps without salt, and then with, and see what tastes best for themselves.
Salt, in Jesus’ time was one of the most sought-after commodities. They even used it to pay wages.
We asked the group how many different things do we use salt for?
We listed many different things.
Jesus uses salt as an example to help the people then, and us now, understand how we are to make a difference in the world.
Jesus wants us to be like salt to bring out the best in others just as salt does in our food. God wants us to affect the world around us; to be out there making a difference. He wants us to help heal people too, maybe just by caring and helping other people.
We watched a video with some salt challenges:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM4TpU2uz0g
(we edited out the first 2 minutes or so)
We thought about light; light is also something that we all crave and need.
But People feel drawn to God’s light too; we are to show one another God’s light and love. We don’t have our own light, but we reflect the light of Jesus living in us.
Jesus is saying it’s no good having God’s light if you then go and cover it up. Jesus wants us to shine to be his light in the world, not to hide away.
Just like a city giving out its light, Jesus wants us to stand up for what matters and stand out, pointing to the goodness of God
Just as salt and light is necessary for life, we can, and we will, by following Jesus, make a difference to this world!
We listened to a new Song – “Salt” by Holly Halliwell
We sang along and did the actions to “I am a city on a hill” by Nick and Becky Drake
Prayer
Loving lord Jesus
Thank you that you have called us to be hope in your world
We think about all the places we go to school, home, clubs, family, friends and we pray we can be a light in these places.
Help us be like salt and light to those we meet this week, both bringing change, making a difference and reflecting God’s love to the world.
Amen
We tried several different salt challenges to emphasise its amazing properties.
Some of us painted stones writing the name of Jesus backwards to remind us to reflect God’s love in the world
Others made Sun catchers
