Salt and Light - Matthew 5:13-15 - Bible study questions

Jul 17, 2026

Salt and Light is an English spiritual reflection and guided Bible-study resource centered on Matthew 5:13-15. It explains Jesus’ teaching that believers are “salt of the earth” and “light of the world,” exploring how effectiveness can be lost through neglect of God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship. The material invites readers to examine their words and actions, seek restoration through forgiveness and intentional study, and openly share faith and good works while giving God the glory.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)

Identify the “salt” and restore saltiness

How saltiness is lost and regained

Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-15)

Not hidden—testimony and good works

Confessing faith and showing love with humility

Salt and Light Matthew 5:13-15 English Spiritual Salt and Light By: Marlene Custer Illustrations: International Illustrations: Art of Reading 3.0 English USA Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission . All rights reserved. [www.biblegateway.com](www.biblegateway.com) Art of Reading illustrations are cc by-nd. Copyright © 2016, Marlene Custer [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) You are free to make commercial use of this work. You may adapt and add to this work. You must keep the copyright and credits for authors, illustrators, etc. "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." Matthew 5:13 (EVS) Who did Jesus say was the 'salt of the earth'? How could Christians lose 'their saltiness' ? Can your 'saltiness' be restored? What can you do to keep your 'saltiness'? Why would Jesus say we are the 'salt of the earth'? The people He was talking to knew the value of salt. It adds taste to our food, it preserves meat and other foods. It heals wounds. I think Jesus is telling us that what we do is important and valuable . We can make life more pleasant for others. Our words and actions can bring healing to those that are hurting. Can you think of some ways this is true? If we don't show love and help those that need our help, we have lost our 'taste' or effectiveness. Jesus said if we have lost our 'saltiness' we are no longer good for anything. We may as well be thrown out. How do we lose our saltiness? Can we get our saltiness back? We lose our saltiness or effectiveness when we don't take time to listen to or read God's Word. Or, we don't take time to pray. When we are not spending time with God, we don't have good news to share with others. We can get that saltiness back by asking God for forgiveness. We can read His Word, talk to Him, and share what we are learning with our family and friends. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden ." Matthew 5:14 (ESV) Who is talking in this verse? Who does this verse say is a light to the world? What cannot be hidden? How does this apply to me? "Nor do people light a lam p and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house ."Matthew 5:15 What does Jesus mean when He says, 'put it (a lamp) under a basket'? Do people around you know that you are a Christian? Jesus says that his followers are like a light to the world. Or, like a city that is on a hill. People don't light a lamp and then hide it under a basket. They put it on a stand so it can light up the room . As followers of Christ we are not to hide our testimony or good works. We should not keep what we have learned from God's Word to ourselves. We must openly confess our faith and share what we have learned. Because Jesus has shown love to us, we must be willing to show love to others. Jesus wants his followers to care about each other. If someone is sick, they or their family may need a meal. Sometimes we can encourage someone just by offering to pray for them . We should not do things openly in order to receive recognition for ourselves, however. We must be sure that our Father in heaven gets the glory.

FAQs

Who did Jesus say was the “salt of the earth,” and why does it matter?

Jesus identifies his followers as “the salt of the earth.” The people he spoke to understood salt’s value in taste, preservation, and healing, linking that value to what believers do and contribute to others.

How can Christians lose their “saltiness” and how can it be restored?

Saltiness or effectiveness is lost by not taking time to listen to or read God’s Word and by neglecting prayer and time with God. It is restored by asking God for forgiveness, reading His Word, talking with Him, and sharing what is learned with family and friends.

What does it mean to be “light of the world,” and what should believers not do?

Jesus’ followers are compared to a light that cannot be hidden, like a city on a hill. Believers should not hide their testimony or good works, nor do things for personal recognition, but should give God the glory.

Jul 17, 2026

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