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  • The Way of Jesus #2 – Jesus on Engaging the World (Matthew 5:13-16)

Jesus on Engaging the World (Matthew 5:13-16)

Ready for Impact (5 minutes)

Catch up on how things have been since the last time your Impact Group met. Allow anyone new to introduce themselves. Then ask group members:

  • Who do you think is the most influential person alive right now? Why?

Ask for a volunteer to read Matthew 5:13-16 to the group, praying a short prayer that however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d get to know him better because of your time together.

Impacted by the Word One (15 minutes)

Watch Video One

Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.

As Jesus’ followers live in his kingdom, they’ll be different to those around them. Jesus uses two metaphors to describe the kind of influence his people will have in the world. His metaphors could mean a number of things.

  • Draw this table and fill it in:
Image Kind of influence
Salt  
Light  
  • What do these two metaphors have in common?

Jesus warns his listeners about people losing their saltiness and hiding their light.

  • Why do you think Jesus issues this warning?
  • What attitudes or behaviour might Jesus be challenging?
  • Do you see any of these attitudes or behaviours in yourself?

Impacted by the Word Two (15 minutes)

Watch Video Two

Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.

Even though Jesus has warned against people losing their saltiness and hiding their light, his language is clear: ‘you are salt’, ‘you are light’. If you trust in Jesus, you can’t stop being those things.

  • What difference would it make to our attitudes and behaviour if we instinctively saw ourselves as salt and light?

Jesus here is using the word “you” in the plural sense.

  • Why do you think we might be tempted to read verse 16 as addressed to us as individuals?
  • In what ways is it better to read verse 16 as addressed to a group of people?
  • Can you think of any examples of where you have seen verse 16 lived out?

Jesus came as the perfectly distinctive light of the world. For all the ways we fail, he never did. And his death means we’re forgiven.

  • How might this further encourage us as we think about living as salt and light?

Impacting our Hearts (10 Minutes)

Christians throughout history have felt like a dim light or like they’ve lost their saltiness. As followers of Jesus, we continually need to have Jesus shine his perfect light into our lives.

Listen together to “Shine into our Night” and meditate on the words. Ask God to show you his light once again.

Your group may value having some reflective questions to aid your time. You may want to share these in your group chat.

  • Where do you feel like a dim-light or like you’ve lost your saltiness?
  • How might Jesus be challenging you?
  • Where do Jesus’ words bring you comfort?

Respond together in prayers of repentance and thanks. Come to Jesus, thanking him for his forgiveness and asking for courage to shine for Him.

Impacting the University (15 minutes)

Jesus is clear that our “good deeds” are part of the way we shine light into the world so others might know God.

Watch this video of barista Rich to learn how he looks to be salt and light in his day to day.

Discuss together:

  • What inspires you from Rich’s story?
  • Where has God given you similar opportunities to live as salt and light at university?
  • As a group, how could you live as salt and light together?

Give time to plan and pray about how you might put your discussion into action.

Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮

Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.

Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.

Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?

Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.

See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!