DISTINCT IN MY INFLUENCE

SESSION 2 DISTINCT IN MY INFLUENCE The Point Make your influence count for what matters. The Passage Matthew 5:13-20 The Bible Meets Life I m convinced very few people in the world really like trail mix. We say we do, but most of us really only eat trail mix for one reason: the M&M s. Trail mix offers a way to eat candy and feel healthy at the same time, since the ingredients are all mixed together. Like a bag of trail mix, believers in Christ are mixed into the world. And like the candy in the trail mix, Christians must retain their distinctiveness even while mixed into all other kinds of life situations. I ve noticed a funny thing about trail mix. Even though all different kinds of things are in the bag, they all end up tasting just a little bit like chocolate. The sweetness has flavored everything else. Like that sweet chocolate, Christians aren t meant to simply be in the mix of the culture, or even to stand out in the mix; they re meant to influence the world around them. As Jesus continued the Sermon on the Mount, He gave us some illustrations of how this influence happens. The Setting As Jesus taught His disciples directly, and the crowds less directly, He addressed a number of varied subjects. In the passage for this session, He highlighted the responsibility of His followers toward their broader society namely to be salt and light. He also addressed false accusations that He broke God s law, perhaps even seeking to destroy it, simply because He didn t heed the misguided religious interpretations and implications of past generations. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 105

What does the Bible say? The Law or the Prophets (v. 17) Shorthand for the Old Testament. The prominence of the books of the Law (Genesis Deuteronomy) and Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc.) made it a suitable abbreviation. Not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter (v. 18) The Greek letter iota translates the Hebrew letter yod, the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The Greek term keraia (stroke) means horn or hook and refers to small, decorative marks added to Hebrew letters. Matthew 5:13-20 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 Don t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 106 SeSSion 2

THE POINT Make your influence count for what matters. GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 85 of the PSG: What flavoring or spice could you not live without? Notes Note: Help group members share more detail by asking follow-up questions such as, What do you like about it? and What food does that go with best? ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Supplement Question #1 by bringing a number of common spices and flavorings to the group gathering. You can bring what you have currently in your home, or purchase a few of the more popular options hot sauce, cinnamon, curry, mustard, salsa, and so on. Encourage group members to pass items around the group and discuss what they like best with different foods. Note: If you really want to make a splash, consider bringing plain crackers and chips and allowing group members to sample the different spices and flavorings for themselves. GUIDE: Direct group members to The Bible Meets Life on page 86 of the PSG. Introduce the theme of influence in the world by reading or summarizing the text or by encouraging group members to read on their own. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point at the top of page 86 of the PSG: Make your influence count for what matters. ENHANCEMENT: Display Pack Item 8, Don t Blend, to reinforce the primary message of this study. PRAY: Transition into the discussion by acknowledging to God that you have been given many opportunities to influence others for good. Pray for wisdom as you and the members of your group continue to engage Jesus Sermon on the Mount. TIP: Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid. Visit ministrygrid. com/web/ biblestudies forlife. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 107

10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Matthew 5:13 13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. READ: Matthew 5:13 on page 87 of the PSG. Read the text out loud or ask a volunteer to do so. GUIDE: Use the first paragraph on page 109 of this Leader Guide to make the transition between the previous session and this session. SUMMARIZE: Highlight the main properties of salt listed on page 88 of the PSG: > > Salt seasons. It s amazing what a pinch of salt can do to bring out the flavor inside food. Similarly, when Christians exert their influence in the world, we season the world with the gospel of Christ. > > Salt preserves. People in Jesus day used salt to help preserve their food. Salt kept the food from going bad and enabled it to last longer. When Christians exert their influence in everyday situations, they keep the world from getting worse than it already is. > > Salt makes you thirsty. Salty food makes you crave water to quench your thirst. Whether people sense it or not, they are thirsty for something more. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are some specific ways God uses us to make people thirsty for Him? DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 88 of the PSG: Salt flavors and preserves. How do Christians both preserve and improve culture? Note: You may want to split this question into two parts: 1) How do Christians influence the world with the gospel in a practical way? 2) How can Christians help in preventing the world from getting worse than it already is? TRANSITION: As we move forward with verses 14-16, we ll find another illuminating metaphor Jesus used to describe how His followers should engage the world around them. 108 SeSSion 2

THE POINT Make your influence count for what matters. Matthew 5:13 Commentary [Verse 13] The previous session focused on the actions and attitudes of Jesus followers that are blessed by God. In this session, Jesus taught that His disciples have a responsibility to exercise influence in the world. Using two familiar images, salt and light, He demonstrated how His followers can make a difference in a culture permeated by dullness and darkness. Jesus frequently made use of word pictures to convey profound ideas. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, He employed three metaphors. To begin, Jesus declared, You are the salt of the earth. Salt was a well-known and valuable commodity in the ancient world. It was basic to human life and had a wide variety of associations. In this saying, however, it s likely Jesus had in mind salt as seasoning, a purifying agent, and a preservative. God s good world has been corrupted by human disobedience. In a sense, it has become bland and tasteless. Jesus disciples are called to restore something of the flavor and zest that has been lost. Jesus modeled what it means to live a full and abundant life. We, as His disciples, are called to model this life in the world. In so doing, we add zest and seasoning. Salt also functioned as a purifying agent. Second Kings 2:19-22 describes Elisha s first service miracle after succeeding Elijah. He purified the water at Jericho by mixing a bowl of salt into contaminated, polluted water. Just as Jericho s water was polluted, so God s world has been contaminated and polluted by human disobedience. Finally, salt served as a preservative. As a result of Adam and Eve s disobedience, sin entered into the world determined to destroy God s creation. Their sin impacted more than their individual relationships with God. It opened the gates for a cosmic terrorist bent on the destruction of everything good. As a result, the world is in a state of rebellion against God, and a world that rejects God can expect nothing less than decay and rottenness. Although Christians can t stop the rot, we can slow down the rotting process by standing for righteousness. By functioning as salt, we can influence the world by modeling a joy for living that creates an appeal for the gospel. There is a danger, however, that our influence might be muted. Jesus presented this possibility with a question: If the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? While some scholars suggest the possibility that salt could actually lose its true salt content, such reasoning seems to miss the point. Jesus set up the ridiculous situation of trying to re-salt salt. A salted piece of meat could be re-salted, but not salt itself. In the same way, disciples who have lost their distinctive zest have nothing to contribute to the world. Unsavory salt is foolish and is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. So it is for a Christian without influence. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 109

10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Matthew 5:14-16 14 You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. READ: Matthew 5:14-16 on page 87 of the PSG. GUIDE: Use the first and second paragraphs on page 111 of this Leader Guide to show the connection between Jesus words about light and the prophet Isaiah. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What hinders believers from fulfilling their distinct purposes as salt and light? DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 90 of the PSG: How do we shine our light in a way that brings glory to God and not ourselves? DO: Direct group members to complete the activity Light of the World on page 89 of the PSG. If time permits, encourage volunteers to share their responses. How do you picture serving as the light of the world? Select one of the following images that best represents what it means for you to shine the light of Christ. Or, use the blank space to draw your own. What obstacles are preventing you from shining the light of Christ more brightly? TRANSITION: Moving on from salt and light, verses 17-20 helps us gain a better understanding of what Jesus came to do and what He expects of us. 110 SeSSion 2

THE POINT Make your influence count for what matters. Matthew 5:14-16 Commentary [Verses 14-15] Jesus employed a second metaphor to demonstrate the Christian s responsibility in the world: You are the light of the world. For Jesus Jewish audience, the call to be light would echo Israel s call in the prophet Isaiah: I, Yahweh, have called You for a righteous purpose I will keep You and appoint You to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations (Isa. 42:6; similar in 49:6; 58:10). As Israel was to be God s light to the nations, now the followers of Jesus are to be a light that points to Jesus, who is the true Light (see John 8:12). Throughout Scripture, light functions as a symbol of God s presence (see Ex. 13:21; Isa. 60:19; 1 John 1:5). Jesus made the exclusive claim that He is the light of the world (John 8:12). Thus, to believe in Jesus is to partake of God s presence and become sons of light (12:36). In Matthew 5, Jesus called His disciples who have received the light now to spread the light; that is, to make Christ known to others. Jesus illuminated the metaphor of light with another metaphor: A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. Once again, Jesus echoed the prophet Isaiah. In a passage that speaks of Mount Zion rather than an individual Israelite, Isaiah proclaimed: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance (Isa. 60:1-3). The city of Jerusalem was a hilltop city whose lights would be visible from a great distance. Jesus continued the emphasis on visibility with the assertion that no one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. Therefore, just as a person does not light a candle and place it under a basket, and just as a city can t be hidden, so a disciple s light must not be concealed or extinguished. Once again, Jesus pointed out the foolishness of a follower of Jesus without influence. The notion is as absurd as salt that is not salty or hiding a lamp whose only purpose is to be visible. [Verse 16] Jesus concluded the teaching on light by highlighting the importance of good deeds in the life of the believer. While it is true that salvation is by grace through faith, and there is no amount of works a person can do to earn a relationship with God, good deeds indicate the genuineness of a person s faith (see Jas. 2:18,20). As God s people let their light shine, those in the darkness will see their transformed lives with the result that they will give glory to your Father in heaven. Ultimately, Jesus was calling His disciples to be engaged in the world. In order for salt to have its impact as seasoning and preservative, it must penetrate the meat. In order for light to do its work, it must penetrate the darkness. In order for Christians to impact the world, we must find ways to engage the culture, not retreat from it. The more God s people withdraw from society and live our lives surrounded only by fellow believers, the less impact we will have as salt and light. Impact requires involvement. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 111

15 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Matthew 5:17-20 17 Don t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. READ: Matthew 5:17-20 on page 87 of the PSG. GUIDE: Use the first two paragraphs on page 113 of this Leader Guide to help group members understand Jesus defense of the law and the prophets. RECAP: Call attention to the final paragraph on page 91 of the PSG: Verse 20 can seem confusing. How can we have righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees? We can t. But Jesus did, and He gives is to us. When we receive Jesus righteousness, we are changed on the inside. What s left for us, then, is to live out the change Jesus has brought to our hearts. We do this through our loving obedience. Those who live out this grace-filled change are like salt. And light. They influence others by visibly demonstrating what Jesus has done in their hearts. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are key disciplines that help you obey God s Word? DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 91 of the PSG: When has the Bible sparked your ability to live as salt and light? DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 91 of the PSG: What s one step you can take this week to live as salt and light in your community? GUIDE: Refer back to The Point of this session: Make your influence count for what matters. As time permits, encourage group members to share any final thoughts or questions. 112 SeSSion 2

THE POINT Make your influence count for what matters. Matthew 5:17-20 Commentary [Verse 17] Jesus began this section with a defense against the charge that He was soft on the Law. He often found Himself in conflict with the scribes and Pharisees on this issue. In response to their persistent questions, Jesus declared, Don t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. The Law and Prophets is a shorthand reference for the entire Old Testament. Jesus assertion indicates that His life and teaching do not diminish, abolish, or contradict any part of Scripture. Quite the contrary, Jesus came to fulfill the Law and Prophets. The term fulfill appears frequently in Matthew to describe the reality that Jesus brought the Old Testament to life. His life revealed its true meaning because He was the One the law and prophets pointed to. [Verse 18] The phrase for I assure you means something like, listen up, pay close attention! Jesus then carried the idea of fulfillment of the Law and Prophets further by asserting that the Hebrew Bible faithfully and truthfully expresses God s will. It always has; always will. The image of the smallest letter refers to the Greek iota, likely a reference to the Hebrew yod, the smallest Hebrew consonant. The image of a stroke of a letter refers to the Greek keraia, literally horn, a word used as a Greek idiom for the smallest detail, like a breathing mark or other decorative mark on a letter. The language of until heaven and earth pass away spoke of the eternal significance of even the tiniest details of the Law s demands as they find fulfillment in Jesus. [Verse 19] Once more, Jesus focused on the power individual Christians have to influence others for good or for ill. By our obedience to the teaching of Scripture, we influence others to do the same. On the other hand, as we dismiss the authority of God s Word and live in rebellion against God s commands, we influence others to do the same. As we set aside even the least of these commands so we will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. While Jesus did not refer to such a person losing their relationship with God, He did acknowledge a loss of status or reward. Likewise, for those who delight in obedience to God s Word, they will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. [Verse 20] Jesus saved His most shocking words for last: For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Righteousness is a critical concept in Matthew s Gospel generally, and for the Sermon on the Mount specifically. Throughout, we see Jesus calling His disciples to a righteousness unlike that of the scribes and the Pharisees. This righteousness is only possible for those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and follow Him in discipleship. This greater righteousness is not lived for personal glory or reward. It s a righteousness that does God s will based on a covenant relationship with Him a relationship only possible through faith in Jesus. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 113

5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes GUIDE: Direct group members to page 92 of the PSG. Encourage them to consider the following options for serving as salt and light in your community this week: > > Pray for the darkness. Christians often complain about the darkness in our world but that accomplishes nothing. Instead, commit to praying each day when you encounter elements of society that need to experience the salt and light of Christ. > > Don t go it alone. Identify a believer in Christ whom you respect someone who uses his or her influence in a positive way. Ask to meet with that person to help you follow Jesus more closely. > > Speak up. Look for a chance this week to speak directly about the gospel at a place outside the church or Bible study group. Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the conclusion from page 92 of the PSG: We re all mixed together in this world, which means everyone has the chance to influence everyone else. The question is how we ll use the opportunities we ve been given. Choose to be salt and light. PRAY: Conclude by praising God for granting you, and the members of your group, opportunities to serve as salt and light in your community. Ask for wisdom and direction as you seek to take advantage of those opportunities this week. 114 SeSSion 2