Salt - More Than Flavor Opening Prayer: Pray to our gracious God to open up our hearts and minds to the lessons taught through His Word to those He called to be the Salt of the Earth. Memory Verse:  Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.  Psalm 16:1 Bible Reading :    Colossians 4:5-6 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.  6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.   Follow Up Lesson  Activity  ( Results will be ready at next week's  lesson ): Salt, water, plates needed. 1Have the children mix together some salt into water until the salt cannot be seen. 2. Set the plate in a warm dry place.  Next week ask the children what is left on the plate? 3.  Talk about this and talk about how both God preserves His children and how we are called to the salt of the earth.  Read Aloud Poetry   More Than Flavor   Long ago, salts were used to preserve Meats that were served At a table gathered With friends and loved ones.   Salts can add flavor to foods that are plain And-a little is enough and just right To change a bland meal Into a feast of delight.   Weary travelers may carry salt For a different reason- as salt Is not only used to Flavor and season But after walking from place to place Certain salts added to water can Bring comfort and healing To achy feet that are  Red, sore and peeling.   We can swim in a salty sea Under the gold sun joyfully Reflecting on the words of Jesus Where He taught others to become Fishers of men --wonderful Scriptural lessons we love to Hear ...again and again.   Salt is here to stay, As are the Words of Jesus. Those who believe And experienced new birth – Are preserved By the eternal goodness Of God who called us to be The salt of the earth.   Julie Pisacane © 2011 _____________________________________ Hymntime  Forward! Be Our Watchword Forward! Flock of Jesus, salt of all the earth, Till each yearning purpose spring to glorious birth: Sick, they ask for healing; blind, they grope for day; Pour upon the nations wisdom’s loving ray. Forward, out of error, leave behind the night; Forward through the darkness, forward into light! Glories upon glories hath our God prepared, By the souls that love Him one day to be shared; Eye hath not beheld them, ear hath never heard; Nor of these hath uttered thought or speech a word; Forward, marching eastward, where the heaven is bright, Till the veil be lifted, till our faith be sight. __________________________________ Before the lesson closes - ask the children about the different uses of salt and talk to them about today's Bible reading from Colossians and how it relates to our Christian faith.      Close with prayer and may our gracious God Richly bless all of you.