Lesson 10
October 22, 2025
How Shall the World Be Seasoned?
Matthew 5:13 (ESV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Adapted from Polishing the Pulpit, Branson 2025, presented by B.J. Clarke
Class Overview
How Shall the World Be Seasoned?
How Shall the World Be Seasoned?
The Salt of the Earth: A Call to Influence
- Christians are called to be the "salt of the earth," living out their faith to positively influence their communities.
- Living as citizens of God's kingdom may bring opposition, but followers are urged to continue in their unique calling.
- Believers must actively apply what they learn, taking responsibility for "seasoning" their families and communities.
- True impact comes from collective action, where all members of the Church live out their faith together.
The Christian life demands active application, not passive reception. We must embody the qualities of salt—distinctiveness, positive influence, and integrity—to make a real difference in the world.
The Sermon on the Mount and Kingdom Living
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus laid out the principles for living as citizens of His kingdom. He acknowledged that living by these high standards could lead to persecution and opposition. Despite this, He encouraged his followers to rejoice in such trials and to persevere in the unique calling they have received.
The Meaning and Value of Salt
Salt in the ancient world was a vital and valuable commodity, used as currency and essential for daily life. Its importance is a metaphor for the Christian's role in the world. The key functions of salt highlight a believer's potential influence:
- Enhancing and Purifying: Just as salt enhances flavor, Christians are meant to bring out the good in the world and help purify it.
- Preserving and Healing: Salt's ability to preserve food and heal wounds parallels the call for Christians to act as a preserving force against decay and a source of healing in their communities.
The Danger of Losing Saltiness
Salt in the first century, often impure, could lose its effectiveness, leaving behind a worthless substance. Jesus uses this as a powerful metaphor for Christians who lose their spiritual impact. Believers are warned against losing their "saltiness" by compromising their faith. Instead, they are urged to maintain their distinctiveness and influence through genuine, faithful living.
Call to Action: Live as Salt
This message is a call to move beyond passive learning. It is not enough to simply take notes or attend events. Each person is responsible for applying these truths and "seasoning" their own families, workplaces, and communities through active engagement. While change begins with the individual, the Church's true impact is realized when everyone participates, living out their faith collectively to bring about meaningful change.
Study Game and Interactive Study Questions
Lesson #10: How Shall the World Be Seasoned?
Quiz Complete!
Matching Game
This game helps associate the roles of salt with their corresponding Christian parallels.
This game helps associate the roles of salt with their corresponding Christian parallels.
Match Salt's Role to the Christian Parallel □
Click one item from "Salt's Role" and then click its matching "Christian Parallel". Correct matches will turn green when you check answers.
Salt's Role
Christian Parallel
Fill-in-the-Blank
This game requires users to recall specific key terms or phrases from the lesson context.
This game requires users to recall specific key terms or phrases from the lesson context.
Fill in the Blanks ✍️
Complete the sentences below by typing the missing word(s) based on the lesson. Check your answers when finished! Hover over (or tap if incorrect) the blank for a hint.