Probably near the end of his life, in Ecclesiastes,
Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14:
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless…”
I have seen all the things that are done under the
sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after
the wind.
1. Read Ecclesiastes 1:2 and 12:8 and notice how Solomon begins and ends the book in the same way. What thoughts do you have as you read his words? Do you agree with him?
Near the beginning of his ministry, Jesus said in
Matthew 5:13-16:
You 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. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
2. In Matthew 5:13 and 14, Jesus suggests the world needs salt and light. Why would he say that? In what ways do Jesus and Solomon share a view of the condition of the world? Why does the world need salt and light?
3. Who are the people Jesus calls salt and light? Do you think his words have relevance to his followers today?
4. Jesus says that his followers “are” salt and light – not that we are to become salt and light. Do you see any significance in that? How might salt lose its saltiness? How concerned should we be about losing saltiness?
5. When salt is placed on deteriorating food, it helps keep the food from deteriorating more. If you are Jesus’ salt in the world, how should you view your role as salt in your family, school, workplace and community?
6. According to 5:14-15, how might light be ineffective? How might you both be light in the world and, at the same time, fail to bring light to the world?
7. According to v.16, how does Jesus mean for you live each day in the world?