Jesus calls us to live as salt and as light for him.

“Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (CEV)

A Prayer for the Week:
Lord God, be our light when darkness surrounds us. Shine over us, in us, and through us. Amen. (Psalm 112:4)

Mealtime Prayer:
Jesus our Savior, thank you for this food, so full of flavor. Jesus our Light, may we shine for you, with love so bright. Amen.

A Blessing to Give:
May God’s love shine through you, so that others see God’s goodness and offer praise to the Lord. Amen.

CARING CONVERSATIONS
Discuss in your household or small group:
• What is your favorite salty food?
• Jesus calls his followers the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). What do
you think he means by this?
• Like salt flavors food, Christians “flavor” the lives of others by the way
we live. Share some examples from your own experience.

DEVOTIONS
Share some salty foods during your home devotional times this week (e.g. salted potato chips). As you snack, discuss ways in which other Christians have “flavored” your lives with the love of Jesus, and ways in which you can flavor the lives of others (look up Isaiah 58:6-7,9b-10 for some ideas). Pour some salt into small containers to carry with you during the week as a reminder to be salty for Jesus!

SERVICE
In 1 Corinthians 2:3, the apostle Paul says that when he first visited the Christians in Corinth he came in “weakness and fear, and with much trembling.” Pastors and other church workers may seem composed on the outside, but often they feel inadequate in their work. Write a note of encouragement to your pastor or a staff member of your church. Let them know that you appreciate them, and tell them how God is using them as a light in your lives.

RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Find a candle for each member of your household. Finish your mealtimes this week with a brief candle lighting ritual. Light one another’s candles in turn either by using matches or passing a flame from candle to candle. As each person’s candle is lit, have other household members say to them this week’s Blessing to Give: “May God’s love shine through you, so that others see God’s goodness and offer praise to the Lord. Amen.” As an additional reminder to do good for Jesus this week, set up piles of salt to mark the path from the front door of your home out into the wider world.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday.
We invite you to take time each day to read the assigned
Bible passages.
Sunday Matthew 5:13-20 Salt and light
Monday 2 Kings 2:19-22 A miracle involving salt
Tuesday Mark 9:42-50 Have salt in yourselves
Wednesday Colossians 4:2-6 Conversation seasoned with salt
Thursday Ephesians 5:3-14 You are light in the Lord
Friday 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 You are children of the light
Saturday Psalm 36:5-9 In your light we see light
Sunday Matthew 5:21-37 Teachings of Jesus