College & Career: July- September 2019

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

College and Career is the young adult quarterly directed toward students and young adults as they venture into the world of higher education and work. This quarterly is designed for young adults and stresses the issues and concerns of young Christians. The lessons are both challenging and rewarding, and they present practical approaches towards cur

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Jun 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781681675398

Book preview

Focal Scripture: Matthew 5:13–20 • Background Scripture: Matthew 5:13–20

LET’S GET STARTED . . .

On a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Jesus sat down and began teaching His disciples in what is commonly called the Sermon on the Mount. His preaching astonished the listeners, who perceived Him as One teaching with absolute authority (Matthew 7:28). He focused on two key points, first declaring who His followers are to be, and then what they are to do. Jesus led the ideal empowerment conference, which should bolster your Christian faith. Let this lesson take you into the classroom with Jesus and transform you.

REMEMBER THIS . . .

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, KJV)

What You’ll Need . . .

God’s Promises Bible, Matthew 5:13–20; Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School

Get into the Lesson . . .

1. SALT AND LIGHT (MATTHEW 5:13–16)

As a disciple of Christ, two analogies are given to describe Christian character. In verse 13, the term you addresses the listeners personally to receive Jesus’ instructions. The Lord made the statement personal, calling on those who heard His message then, as well as now, to take an internal look at themselves/ourselves. He answered the question of identity and life purpose in a twofold directive. Jesus said we are to be salt and light. People in the ancient world understood that salt serves many purposes. Salt is a mineral used to flavor and preserve food, as well as serving medicinal and agricultural purposes. When Jesus spoke of salt, people from an agrarian culture could understand how this resource could be spread on the ground to help crops grow. Too much salt makes the land unproductive, but the right quantity makes the land fruitful. This idea applies to Christians in leading God-honoring lives and sharing our faith. If we are too aggressive and judgmental, we will repel others rather than winning them to Christ.

Salt as a flavoring agent provides another metaphor as a guide for followers of Christ. The Christian life is one of vitality; life without Christ is dull, dreary, and leads to death. Your Christian character can spark intrigue, hope, and joy within others. Therefore, you have the holy assignment of showing others how to make life worth living. There is a hymn titled Because He Lives, and one line says, life is worth the living just because He lives. When you become salt in the lives of others, you are adding flavor and helping to make life worth living.

Discuss three things that you did last week to be salt or light for Christ.

#SaltAndLight

Share your views about being salt and light. Tag us @nationalbaptist!

Salt also can be used as a preservative for certain foods. According to James 1:15 (KJV), then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. When believers yield themselves to the teachings and nature of Christ, this is a decision to preserve their lives rather than wasting their years on immoral pursuits. Salt prevents decay and death. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (see John 10:10), so our assignment in verse 13 is to be agents of growth, joy, and life. The people of God must strive to protect and preserve life until Jesus calls us home. Can you imagine how the world would be without the beauty of the Christian faith? Everyone would wake up each day, locked in the dilemma of being purposeless. However, the salt that preserves the lives of the faithful also encourages others to live their lives with intention.

In verses 14–16, Jesus referred to His followers as the light of the world. As others in a broken, lost, and dying world observe your life, should they not see Jesus’ light reflected in your words and actions? Are you able to see the purpose Christ has given to you as a believer? He has said, Go and shine your light. However, Christians must be careful not to claim the light to be of themselves; rather, our light is due to our personal relationships with Christ.

During biblical times, cities that were built on hills or mountains were more visible to travelers. People could recognize cities from a distance, because the sunlight reflected off the surrounding rock formations, causing these highly populated areas to stand out in desert environments. Likewise, the same holds true of the light in the life of Christians. The character of Christ shines so brightly that saints cannot be hidden. We easily are recognized in this world. When Jesus said we are light, He was telling us to allow His light to shine from inside of us and cause us to stand out in a world darkened by sin. This way, others are able to see the light of His righteousness. When you allow Him to shine through you, your works and actions glorify God.

What are you able to say or do to help coworkers or classmates recognize that you are a Christian?

Share your views:

#Witness

Tag us @nationalbaptist!

2. FOLLOWING THE LAW (MATTHEW 5:17–20)

In these verses, Jesus continued instructing His followers by making it clear that His teachings do not break or change the Mosaic Law but bring out the full meaning of the law. The Law of Moses and the Prophets are found in the Old Testament, and many during Jesus’ time wrongly interpreted that He had come to change God’s laws. Yet Jesus did not come to invalidate or upgrade the law but to demonstrate the most excellent way to obey. Christ models the perfect example of how to obey God and His Word. Furthermore, He reveals how everything the prophets said