“You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves.” —Mark 9:50 NLT

“You are the salt of the earth.” —Matthew 5:13 NLT

Preservatives Added

“You are the light of the world––like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” —Matthew 5:14-16 NLT

We’re called to

“Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in the squalid and polluted society. Provide people a glimpse of good living and of the living God.” —Philippians 2:15 Message

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.” —Ephesians 5:10-11 NLT

“Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character.” —Ephesians 5:11 Amplified

“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’––and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of His great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in Him and receive eternal life.” —1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT

Preserving is about what you

Discussion Questions

1. Are you one who enjoys being alone, or do you always need to be around people? Why do you think you prefer what you do?
2. What do you enjoy doing in the time you do have to yourself?
3. One of the qualities of salt is that it acts as a preservative. Therefore, as followers of Jesus, the salt of the earth, we should function as preservatives as well. What do you think that means?
4. Preservatives don’t work in private. In other words, we can’t fulfill our mission in isolation. Followers of Jesus need to be present in the world in order to fulfill our mission of reaching it. What are some ways you think we tend to isolate ourselves as followers of Jesus? Why do you think we do this?
5. As followers of Jesus, we are called to engage culture, not ignore it. How do you think we can better engage the culture God has placed us in?
6. The work of preserving is about what we practice as much as what we preach. How do you think that applies to you?
7. What are some areas in your own life where you have an opportunity to preserve where you’re planted?