Salt and Light - MSQ
Part of Red Letter Living
April 30, 2023

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Salt and Light - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

Jesus makes a clear line in the sand to show our spiritual condition. He invites unbelievers to join the faith and experienced the abundant life in Christ. And He invites believers to step up and live like it. When Christians live out the beatitudes, they influence others to act better, preserving against moral decay. As salt can be refined and become purer, so the reverse can happen and the salt becomes useless. Jesus is the light of truth, hope, and life. Christians are called to shine Jesus’ light and not to conceal their faith. Momentary rejection and awkwardness pales compared to helping save someone from eternal death. Our good works/deeds are a combination of the beatitudes lived out with the specific gospel message proclaimed. That is, sharing the reason for the hope we have.
Jesus fulfilled the OT Law and fulfilled our judgment and punishment. He restores us. His perfect righteousness is given to us, like someone else fulfilling your prison sentence and giving you their perfect record. Therefore, Christian righteousness (Christ’s righteousness) surpasses that of the Pharisees. It is a righteousness of the heart. It’s authentic, not just outward conformity, but inner transformation.

  1. Why are many people afraid of the dark?

  2. Jesus told his disciples that God is their heavenly Father. What do you think that relationship means?

Consider This

Living out our faith will lead to persecution, but we must stay faithful to it when persecution comes because that’s when our witness is strongest.

  1. Read Matthew 5:13-16.

    • What is an essential characteristic of salt? How does that metaphor apply to Christians?

    • What happens when salt loses its flavor? How might Christians lose their saltiness?

  2. What did Jesus call his disciples in Matthew 5:14?

    • How are Christians like light? What result does light have in dark places? What does light reveal?

    • How are Christians like a lamp? What does a lamp do for people?

    • List some ways a believer might hide his or her light.

  3. List some character qualities and behaviors that mark a salty and shiny believer.

  4. Read Matthew 5:17-20.

    • What was Jesus’ stated goal regarding the Old Testament? (V 17) How thoroughly did he accomplish that goal?

    • How accurate did Jesus say that the Old Testament was? How does that impact your view of the Bible?

    • What did Jesus warn in verse 19? How does that apply to you?

  5. What are some ways we might encourage others to ignore God’s way? How can we stop doing that?

  6. What level of righteousness is required for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven? What do you think this means? How can you enter the Kingdom of Heaven? (See Matthew 7:13-14, 18:6, John 1:12, 3:16)

Moving Forward – Application

  1. Is there someone in your life that you can be salt and light to this week? Specifically, how will you go about doing that?

  2. Is there someone in your life who encourages you to ignore or minimize God’s word? What can you do to change that this week?