Curriculum
Pass the Salt
Memory Verse:
“Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50b)
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Sin hurts us and others, and Jesus came to set us free from sin. Jesus compares us to salt in the world—changing the “flavor” of our surrounding communities and preserving the good around us.
Scripture Summary
Jesus’ disciples were faithful followers, but they often didn’t quite get it. There was another man casting out demons in Jesus’ name, and the disciples were jealous. They wanted to protect their own reputation and role in the community rather than celebrating new healing and how Jesus’ ministry was growing.
In Luke 9:48, Jesus says, “He who is the least among you all—he is the greatest.” Whoever welcomes a child, helps a widow, rescues the fallen, or gives a cup of water to the thirsty, it’s as if they’re doing it for Jesus himself.
Sin is hurtful to everyone—the sinner, those sinned against, and Jesus. If anything in our lives is causing us to sin, it’s better to do without that habit, relationship, pastime, or job in our lives. Jesus warned His followers of an eternity in hell by giving a visual picture.
Jesus often used metaphors and relatable stories to convey a point— especially new points—to His people. These were new concepts that were tough to understand. Everyone understood the vital uses of salt: adding flavor to foods and preventing food from going bad. And Jesus compared us to salt. We are to add “flavor” to our schools, community, and neighbors by sharing His good news. In the same way, we’re to preserve the good in the world and help prevent decay in our world. No, we can’t solve everything, but impacting just one person, one child, or one family makes a difference.
Why Is This Important
Jesus loves being our friend and wants what’s best for us. And He wants us to share His good news with others. We are called to be “salt” in the world by adding His flavor and preserving the good in the world.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
I don’t know if it’s my stage of life or my own go-getter personality, but I operate at full-throttle when I’m awake. (And sometimes when I’m asleep, too!) Each moment is taken up by accomplishing the task at hand, planning for tomorrow (and five years down the road), and attempting to learn from what has transpired over the week.
Planning dinner. Fixing the faucet. Communicating with volunteers. Leading the next meeting. Carpool. Asking for forgiveness. A big project at work. Laundry.
It all takes intentionality, and it can all be just plain exhausting. And on top of it all, we’re to be the salt of the world. Even our speech should be seasoned with His salt…in the drive-thru, at home, in a meeting, and on the phone.
In The Message, this verse in Colossians goes on to say, “The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”
But, I sometimes forget. I move too quickly to the next thing on my list before I stop and consider how I can be salt where I am right now. If you find yourself in need of reminders, consider these ways of remembering that you are the salt of the world.
- Before you leave for the day, sprinkle some salt in the palm of your hand and rub it in. You’ll find the grittiness lasts for quite a while as a reminder.
- Change the wallpaper on your phone to a photo of a saltshaker. Each time you look at your phone, you’ll receive that much- needed reminder.
- Experiment with different types of salt at your dinner table. Have shakers and grinders for table salt, kosher salt, and even pink Himalayan salt.
And go out today as the salt of the world…in speech and in deed.
Prayer
Dear God, help me remember that I am a saltshaker in Your world. I want to represent You well as You have saved me and shown me love every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Bibles, Discount store saltshakers, Paper, Scissors, Markers, Tape
Get Ready: Before class, cut strips of paper that will fit around the saltshakers.
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” (Mark 9:50)
Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible memory verse:
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Mark 9:50.
- Invite several kids to read aloud the verse for repetition.
- Give each child a strip of paper, set out markers, and instruct kids to write today’s Bible memory verse on the paper and then decorate around the verse.
- After they have finished, invite kids to tape the paper around the saltshaker.
ASK:
- What’s a food that tastes better with salt? What is ruined when you add salt to it?
- How does thinking about salt in this way help you understand what Jesus said?
Challenge kids to take the saltshaker home and use it in their family kitchen as a reminder that we are called to be salt in the world.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles, Crayola Model Magic Modeling Clay in various colors, Shoeboxes
- Invite kids to open their Bibles to Mark 9:38-50.
- Divide the class into four groups, and assign each of the groups a section of Scripture.
- Mark 9:38-40
- Mark 9:41-42
- Mark 9:43-49
- Mark 9:50
- Explain that each group will need to listen closely for its section of Scripture.
- After the passage has been read aloud, give each group a shoebox and some modeling clay. Invite kids to turn the shoeboxes on their sides and then use the clay to design a scene inside the boxes, representing their Scripture passage.
- After the groups have finished, invite the class to walk around to each clay creation in order.
- At each clay creation, invite a child to read the group’s Scripture passage as kids check out the design.
ASK:
- What stood out to you about the other groups’ scenes?
- What’s one way you can be salt in the world this week?
SAY: We are called to be “salt” in the world. We can flavor the world and point people to Jesus.
Snack
Salty Pretzels
You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Frozen soft pretzels, Microwave, Clean, unused paintbrushes, Cups of water, Large-grain salt
Follow these steps for the “Salty Pretzels”:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, a paintbrush, and a frozen soft pretzel.
- Instruct kids to lightly paint water on only one side of their pretzels.
- Invite kids to sprinkle large-grain salt on the parts of the pretzels with water on them.
- Cook the pretzels in the microwave.
- Enjoy!
ASK:
- Which did you enjoy more: the salty side of the pretzel, or the side without salt?
SAY: Salt gives flavor to anything it’s added to. Those of us who follow Christ are called to add the love of Christ to a world that desperately needs it.
Game
Salt Relay
You’ll Need: 2 inexpensive, empty saltshakers
To play the “Salt Relay” game, have kids follow these steps:
- Divide the class into two teams.
- Instruct each team to form a line, and give the first person in each line a saltshaker.
- Explain that when you say “Go,” the children will pass their team’s saltshaker down their line. They must alternate by having the first person pass it over their head, the second person between their legs, the third over their head, and so on, until the saltshaker reaches the last person in line.
- The last person in line will run to the front and start passing the saltshaker the same way.
- Continue the game until all the players have been at the start of the line to pass the saltshaker.
SAY: Just like you passed the salt in the relay, we can be salt in the world by passing Scripture and the good news of Jesus to others.
Craft
Salty World
You’ll Need: “World Outline” handout, Dark-colored construction paper, Markers, Glue, Salt
Follow these steps to make the “Salty World” craft:
- Give each table a “World Outline” handout for reference, and give each child a piece of dark-colored construction paper.
- Invite children to copy the outline of the world onto their dark- colored construction paper using a marker.
- Instruct kids to put glue along the outline of the world and countries they drew.
- Sprinkle plenty of salt on the glue lines. Discard extra salt.
- Allow the crafts to dry, and invite kids to talk about what they know about different parts of the world.
SAY: These world outlines remind us that Jesus wanted his love to be spread throughout the world with the help of his salty followers.
Prayer
Salty World Prayers
You’ll Need: “Salty World” crafts, Star stickers
SAY: You made salty world maps today. We are going to use these maps to pray for other believers around the world.
- Give each child a star sticker.
- Allow kids to each pick a continent and place the sticker on the one they have chosen.
- Lead kids in praying for the believers in that continent to be salt in their countries.
PRAY: Dear God, help us to be salt in the world. Jesus was the best example of how to live our lives. Help us live like Him to be salt in this dark world.
