Lesson 1: Salt and light.
Passage: Matthew 5:13-16 - During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that his followers are the salt of the earth, meant to preserve and enhance the world. He also said that they are the light of the world: a lamp is not hidden under a bowl but placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, we are called to let our light shine, so that others may see our good works and be drawn to God’s goodness.
Big Idea: Spread kindness and shine your light.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read a book about caring for others. Book will be provided in the classroom.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting something brand new for the summer! We’re going to learn about something very special that Jesus said a long time ago.
Does anyone know what it’s called when someone stands up to talk to people about God and the Bible? It’s called a sermon! Can you say that with me? (Sermon!)
This summer, we’re going to hear about a sermon that Jesus gave to his friends and followers. And guess what? We can still learn from it today!
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember what Jesus taught us about in the video today?
What are some things we use salt for? (Popcorn, French fries…)
Jesus said we are like salt. What do you think that means? (Salt makes things taste better. And we can help make the world better too.)
Jesus also said we are like a light. What do lights do? (They can help us see in the dark…)
What are some ways we can sprinkle God’s goodness on others like salt? Or shine God’s love in the world like light?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about Jesus. Thank you that we are like salt and light, and that means we can help make the world a better place! Help us to sprinkle your goodness and shine your love to everyone around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Watercolor painting — Activity Leader
Kids can use watercolors paints to create a picture or abstract design based on the story they learned.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Superhero creation — Activity Leader
Have the kids sit spaced out on the floor with a piece of paper and a marker. Give them 3-5 minutes to draw what they would look like if they were a superhero. Then have them come back to a circle, where they can take turns sharing their superhero and what their superpower would be.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting a brand new series for the summer all about something Jesus said a long time ago… It’s called the Sermon on the Mount!
Does anyone know what a sermon is? (When someone teaches people about God.)
Why do you think it's called the Sermon on the Mount? (Because Jesus gave this sermon on the side of a mountain or hill.)
Jesus' sermon was full of amazing lessons for his followers. Even though it was spoken a long time ago, we can still learn so much from it today.
Let's watch our video to find out more...Video Lesson
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone tell me, in your own words, what Jesus taught us in today’s video?
What are some things we use salt for? (Popcorn, French fries…)
Jesus said we are like salt. What do you think that means? (Salt makes things taste better, and maybe we can also make the world better through our words and actions.)
He also said we are like light. What do lights help us do?
How can we sprinkle God’s goodness and shine God’s love to others like salt and light?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today about Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount. Thank you that we can learn so many good things from what Jesus taught, like about being salt and light in the world. Please help us to spread kindness and shine your love so that others can see your goodness through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Watercolor painting with salt — Activity Leader
Kids will paint a picture or abstract design with watercolors. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle a little salt on your paper and watch how it reacts with the paint. Ziploc bags will be provided for storing their paintings.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, ask how their week was.
Warm Up Activity: Boss Battle — Activity Leader
Kids will get a random card with their Boss’ name and attributes on it. They can then draw a picture of their Boss. Call two kids at a time to stand up and make an argument for who they think would win the Boss Fight and why. Others can clap for who they think the winner would be.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting a brand new series for the summer, all about Jesus' teachings during his famous Sermon on the Mount!
Who knows what a sermon is?
Why do you think it’s called the Sermon on the Mount?
Can you think of any other times in the Bible when God spoke from a mountain? (When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai in the Old Testament.)
Just like that moment with Moses, Jesus’ sermon was a pretty big deal. It was long, and full of powerful teachings for his followers, and for us too. Today we’re going to focus on just one small part of it. And each week this summer, we’ll keep exploring more of what Jesus taught in his sermon.
Read: Matthew 5:13-16Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Questions — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone explain, in their own words, what Jesus’ teaching in today’s video was all about?
What are some everyday things we use salt for?
Why do you think Jesus said we are like salt? What does that tell us about our purpose in the world?
Jesus also said we’re like light. What do lights do, and why might that be an important image?
What are some specific ways you can be like salt and light at home, at school, or with friends?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Just like you spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, you speak to use through Jesus’ words too. Thank you that we are like salt and light, and that when we share your goodness and love, we help make the world better and brighter. Please help us be people who are filled with your love, so we can spread that love wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Watercolor painting with salt — Activity Leader
Kids will paint a picture or abstract design with watercolors. While the paint is still wet, sprinkle a little salt on your paper and watch how it reacts with the paint. Ziploc bags will be provided for storing their paintings.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think Jesus meant when he said we are like salt? (We can spread God’s goodness in the world like sprinkling salt on food.)
What did he mean when he said we are the light of the world? (When we have Jesus in our hearts, we shine God’s love to everyone around us.)
What are some ways we can sprinkle and shine God’s goodness and love to others?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What two things did Jesus compare his followers to? (Salt and light.)
What do you think he meant by that? (Just like salt makes food better, we can help make the world better through our actions. And just like light shines for everyone to see, others can see God shining through us when we are full of God's love.)
What are some ways we can be more like salt and light in the world?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think Jesus preached his sermon from a mountainside? (It reminds us of when God spoke to the people through Moses on Mount Sinai. Once again, God was speaking to the people through Jesus’ teachings.)
What do you think salt and light mean in this story?
What are some ways we can be like salt and light in the world?
