========================

Matthew 5:13

========================

13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

----------------------------------------

1)       According to what Jesus said what are we?

o   We are the salt of the earth.

 

2)       What makes salt useful as an agent of preservation against decay?

o   Saltiness makes salt useful as an agent of preservation against decay.

 

3)       What happens to salt when it loses its saltiness hence its usefulness as an agent of preservation against decay?

o   It is no longer good for anything, except to be

§  Thrown out.

§  And trampled underfoot.

 

4)       How many righteous people could have preserved the city of Sodom, given Genesis 18:20-33?

o   Ten.

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud Genesis 18:20-33 that says,

+++++++++++++++++++++

20Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous

21that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

22The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.

23Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

24What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?

25Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

26The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

 

...

 

32Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.”

33When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

+++++++++++++++++++++

 

5)       What can righteous people function as?

o   Righteous people can function as an agent of preservation against decay for the earth.

 

6)       What happens to us when we lose our usefulness as an agent of preservation against decay for the earth?

o   We are no longer good for anything, except to be abandoned to the fire of hell.

========================

Matthew 5:13

========================