This lesson is part of God's Story of Work for Kids, a 12-week curriculum that teaches children to see work through God's perspective.

THIS WEEK'S FOCUS: our work for god affects the world around us.

We learned today that Jesus calls us the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." Salt adds flavor and in Jesus' day it was used as a preservative to help keep food from spoiling. As the salt of the earth, Jesus says that we flavor the world and preserve what's good in it. Our influence - how we affect the actions, behavior or opinions of others - is how we are salt in this world. 

Light helps brighten a dark place and shows things that need fixing. As we choose to shine the love and truth of Jesus through our words and actions, we help people realize the goodness of God. 

DO THIS WEEK'S WORKOUT: thermostat for salt and light

A thermostat sets the temperature in the room. Brainstorm together ways your family can be a salt and light thermostat this week. Depending on your family's schedule, pick an activity:

Living Salty 1 - practicing the power of positive presence

Each family member will pick one place they interact with people regularly. Ask: what words do you typically hear there? What attitudes do you see there? Agree as a family to be positive in words and attitude in that place this week. Create a chart with each person's name and the place he or she picked. Have star stickers ready so each night that a family member is successful, he or she can put a sticker on the chart.

LIVING SALTY 2 - family project

Think of a place your whole family can show up and serve together in some way. Do something that goes beyond what's expected. 

Examples:

• Practice making balloon animals and show up at a playground
• Bake and package cookies for the local soup kitchen - add a handwritten note such as "Thinking of and praying for you." Pray over the recipients.
• Go out to eat and leave the waiter a big tip.

Talk about it: How did it go? Did you affect the world around you through your work?