Are You A Saltshaker?
Bible Lesson for KidsScripture: Ye are the salt of the earth Matthew 5:13(a).
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? (Allow the children to interact, and then explain 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 times, 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.
3. In Bible times, salt was sometimes used as payment for work that you did. Roman soldiers were always paid in salt, not in cash. They didn't have a debit card or a credit card. They got salt money. Salt money, as I said, is the word we use today for salary! We receive a salary for working, because initially Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Can you imagine working at a job now, and your boss handing you bags of salt for your paycheck?!
4. In Bible times they used salt as a purifying way to cleanse. If you had an injury on your skin, they would put salt on that injury! In Bible times, they even washed newborn babies with a solution of salt. This was to kill germs. Aren't you thankful we don't pour salt into your boo-boos today? Today we use salts into our bathwater for injuries like swollen joints, feet, or to soothe aches and pains.
5. Even in Bible times they used salt the way we mostly think of using it - for a flavor enhancer. I really like my buttered corn-on-the-cob the best when I can sprinkle salt on it. YUM! It's not the salt by itself - but I think the salt makes the corn taste better! Do you like a spoonful of salt by itself? YUK! What do you think tastes better with salt on it?
6. Salt was a thirst inducer. When a farmer or deer hunter wants to be sure their animals drink a lot, they put out really big cubes of salt. The salt even melts into the ground from the rain that falls on it. But, that's OK, because the cattle just lick the dirt with the salt in it. They really like that salt.
Jesus wants us to be salty Christians. You can be a "saltshaker" for Jesus!
Be the salt in your friendships. Treat each other with respect, honesty, and be peaceful to one another. When you have a friend like that, or you are a friend like that. You can easily share God's word. "A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother."
Let the "Salt" preserve what is in the Bible. God's Word shared will keep friendships well preserved - so they don't become a "rotten" friendship. God's Word tells us how to be a good friend. Proverbs 17:17, "A friend loves at all times." We want the Truth of God's work preserved and shared. We don't want to think God's Word is not True. We must preserve the Word of God by reading it, memorizing it, and sharing it. Live out the 10 commandments in the best way you can. Tell how God has blessed you. The 10 commandments still work today. They would work the best if everyone followed them.
Be the Salt that purifies - Like salt, God's Word can sting when poured into an open wound. But it is such a good purifier that when used correctly, the Word of God can cleanse your hurt feelings and you will learn from that pain. God's Word grows us to be better Christians.
Be the Salt that is the flavor enhancer! Remember it wasn't the salt that tasted so good on the corn-on-the-cob, but the salt made the corn taste better. When we are kind and encouraging to others, helping them do a project or learn something new. It isn't us that did the good job - our friend did it - but we helped them to do better. You can enhance their flavor!
Use Salt to make them thirsty! Share about Jesus. Show others through your life what God wants us all to do. Show kindness to everyone and give GOD the praise and glory. Show or tell them the scriptures that help you deal with problems. The people will become thirsty to know more and more about Jesus and heaven. They will keep coming back for more - thirsty for the Word of GOD!
Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for SALT and how it shows us how you want us to live. I ask you to help each of us be a better SALTSHAKER in our community - Saltshakers who help preserve God's Word, make it tastier, and make people so thirsty that they will want to hear more about the Savior. In the name of Jesus, AMEN.
Copyright 2011 Emmalea Butler
GreatAdventureClub@embarqmail.com
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