We will be walking through the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) until the end of the school year. Each week, there will be a portion of the Sermon on the Mount as a "weekly reading". You can split the passage up into multiple days throughout the week, or you could do it all at once, whatever works best for you. This is simply meant to be a tool that helps you engage with the Scripture that we will be teaching on Wednesday nights at GSM. Feel free to do this individually, or do it together with some friends. My prayer is that you simply enjoy time with God and hear his voice through his Word each week!

Matthew 5:13-16 (Believers Are Salt and Light)
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It’s no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 

Consider using the H.E.A.R. study method to help you explore the meaning of this passage.

HIGHLIGHT:
After reading the passage, highlight the verses that stand out to you by writing out the following:

• Write down the name of the book.
• Write down the chapter and verses.
• Write out the verse, or part of the verse, that stands out to you.

EXPLORE:
Engage with the text and explore what the meaning of it might be. Some possible questions to consider include:

• Who was the passage written to?
• Why was it written? 
• How does it fit-in with surrounding verses?
• What might God be saying through this passage?
• Consider using a commentary/study Bible to help you understand the passage. Here are some helpful resources:
  • David Guzik Commentary (Blue Letter Bible)
    • https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/matthew/matthew-5.cfm?a=934001
  • Bible Project Visual Commentary (Sermon on the Mount Overview)
    • https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/matthew-5-7-sermon-overview/
  • Bible Project Video (Salt and Light starts at 4:40)
    • https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/the-beatitudes/

APPLY:
Consider how you can apply the text in real life. Some possible questions to consider include:

• How can I apply this passage in my life today?
  • Think of applications that are specific and measurable.
• What am I going to do about what God is saying to me?

RESPOND:
Finally, respond to God. This can be done in any number of ways, but make it sincere.

• Write out a prayer of response to God after he has spoken to you through his word. 
• Commit to a certain action.
• Who is God inviting me to be? (Or, How will I be different because of what I’ve learned?)