Bible Study – Saltiness
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
During this “Ordinary Time” a time after Pentecost, we are nourished by the scriptures appointed for the season and empowered by our baptisms, we are invited to be on the lookout for all the blessings found in the ordinary – to see God at work here and now. And we are need to share our blessings with others.
The Pharisee in each of us wants to "get it right." In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is concerned that we "get it." So Jesus takes the ordinary things of life, from washing hands to attending to a child, and meets us where we are and helps us to "get it," finding blessings in the ordinary.
Jesus continues to teach, while gently holding a small child on his lap. "Whoever is not against us is for us." Then, do what you have to do to make sure you place no stumbling block before one of these little ones. If your foot causes you to stumble – cut it off! Hyperbole, perhaps, but the point is clear: pay attention. We are called to be salty people and at peace with one another.
Opening Prayer: Thank you for the stories we have about Jesus. Help us to notice what Jesus wants us to know. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to Mark 9:38-50 and read or read the scriptures below.
Mark 9:38-50
38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said,[a] “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
Causing to Stumble
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] [a] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] [b] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’[c]
49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Reflection Questions: (See answers at the bottom of the pages)
First Section: Mark 9:38-41 Read: John (verse 38) Jesus (verses 39-41)
Reflection Questions
- What is John concerned about?
- Can you think of examples of people doing good things, in Jesus' name, but are not a part of our group?
Second Section: Mark 9:42 read this verse.
Reflection Questions:
- What is a "stumbling block?”
- Who are the "little ones" Jesus is referring to?
- Why do you think Jesus calls them "little ones?”
Third Section: Mark 9:43-48 read these verses – Jesus talking.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you know the meaning of the word "hyperbole?”
- What do you think Jesus means in these verses?
- Do you think Jesus got people's attention?
- What do you think they remembered?
The "P.S." - Mark 9:50 – read verses 49-50.
Reflection Questions:
- What do you think Jesus means when he says that everyone will be "salted with fire?”
- Verse 50a: Good Question! But why do you think Jesus is asking this question?
- Verse 50b: How do we have "salt in ourselves?”
- Taking what Jesus has been quoted as saying in verse 50, can we restate it in words we would use now?
Click here for the young learner’s lesson.
Videos (Click on url)
Mark 9:38-50 Warning to Those Who Obstruct Faith: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ZoJ0POXdk or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqDOYbWEdrg
Gospel of Mark Summary: A complete Animated Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGHqu9-DtXk
Song: Salt and Light – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftUXYsamDo8
Activities:
Jesus says we can be salt! What do you think that means? (We, as individuals and as a group, can add flavor and life to the things in which we are involved. We each add our own flavor and interest to a group.)
Salt for Jesus: Have a piece of construction paper and a glue stick or glue handy. Think of things you do and that make life better for those around you. Title your paper “Salt for Jesus” Take salt crystals – or a pinch of salt – and put it on your paper, securing it with a glue stick or a dot of glue. If you are having trouble coming up with things, have you ever made anyone in your family laugh? Do you sing a song you have learned? Do you give your parents a hug? (Etc.)
Craft “Salt Dough” Creations
You will need:
- Salt (Plain table salt)
- Flour
- Water
- Mixing tools and measuring cups
- Food coloring (optional)
- Storage bags or supplies
- Cookie cutters (optional)
Procedure:
- Mix 1 cup flour and ½ cup salt in a bowl
- Add warm water to the mixture, just enough to create a knead-able dough
- If you want, add food color and/or glitter to color the dough
- Roll out the salt dough
- If you wish, use cookie cutters to make shapes.
- Bake the dough to harden, and paint afterward for a complete craft, if you wish
Instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGUUqD2z4Rs
Pass the Salt Please - Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/pass-the-salt-1
Pass the Salt Please - Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/pass-the-salt-3
Pass the Salt Please – Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/pass-the-salt-2
Pass the Salt Please – Word Shape: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/pass-the-salt-4
Prayer: Thank you, God, for salt and for the salty part that is me. Amen.
Answers to the Reflection Questions:
First Section: Mark 9:38-41 Read: John (verse 38) Jesus (verses 39-41)
Reflection Questions
- What is John concerned about? (People are doing good things, and are not part of Jesus' group.)
- Can you think of examples of people doing good things, in Jesus' name, but are not a part of our group? (People in other denominations of the Christian church, for example. People who take care of the sick, or the poor, who may not even be Christians.)
Second Section: Mark 9:42 read this verse.
Reflection Questions:
- What is a "stumbling block?” (Anything that keeps people away from Jesus. Rules that are impossible to keep, for example.)
- Who are the "little ones" Jesus is referring to? (His disciples, anyone who is trying to follow Jesus.)
- Why do you think Jesus calls them "little ones?” (Perhaps because he understands that many are trying to keep them from following Jesus. Perhaps because he knows we have so much to learn.)
Third Section: Mark 9:43-48 read these verses – Jesus talking.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you know the meaning of the word "hyperbole?” (Hy per bo le: An exaggeration to make a point. Example: everyone was there. Well, everyone in the world probably was not there!)
- What do you think Jesus means in these verses? (It probably would be better to chop off a hand you simply could not control, but surely he is trying to get people's attention. Behavior matters.)
- Do you think Jesus got people's attention?
- What do you think they remembered?
The "P.S." - Mark 9:50 – read verses 49-50.
Reflection Questions:
- What do you think Jesus means when he says that everyone will be "salted with fire?” (Everyone will have something really hard to go through in their lives.)
- Verse 50a: Good Question! But why do you think Jesus is asking this question? (If we have let who we are get away from us, what possible good are we?)
- Verse 50b: How do we have "salt in ourselves?” (We choose to be who we are and not try to be someone we are not.)
- Taking what Jesus has been quoted as saying in verse 50, can we restate it in words we would use now? (For example: "Don't give up your salt." Or "Stay salted." "Keep the Peace." "Be at peace." Etc.)
