Review: Last week, Rachel Spiegel talked about how we handle stress and anxiety as Christians in Matthew 6:25-34.  We were encouraged to pray the Lord's prayer this past week.  How did that go for you, especially regarding your ability to deal with whatever stress and anxiety came your way?  Any praises or challenges?

Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence. Then read Matthew 5:13-16. As we highlighted our partnerships with our local schools this past week, we didn't cover a new passage but drove home our identity in Christ as "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." How does our understanding of Jesus' teaching here help us re-think the way we live in our families, workplaces, and neighborhoods – even in the Church?

Phil said he reminds his kids every day as they leave for school to "remember who you are."  Think about a time when you forgot who you are.  What was the effect of that?  How can you practice remembering who you are?

Consider the watercolor exercise with the paint, cards, and salt. (Even if you didn't participate, think about what happened when Phil demonstrated it for us up front.) Phil said that it is the nature of salt and light to change everything they come into contact with. Describe a time when someone was salt and light to you.

As we remember who we are, why is it also important to remember who we used to be and God's grace? Read Ephesians 2:1-5.

"I want to give you permission to be who you are as salt and light; not to call you to get busy piling up a bunch of godly activities, but to live a loving response to God's grace" (Phil).  How is who we are as salt and light different from just "being a good person"?

This week, practice looking for and responding to opportunities to let your light shine, to be salt in your family, workplace, and neighborhood! And if you are interested in learning more about ways to connect with our local school partners, click here.