Bonded to Jesus Christ: Becoming the Salt of the Earth
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does it mean to be the "salt of the earth" according to Jesus Christ?
- How can we maintain our spiritual vitality and avoid losing our "savor"?
- What are some modern-day applications of being bonded to Jesus Christ?
- Why is service emphasized as a critical component of discipleship?
- How can digital tools be used purposefully in our spiritual lives?
Topics
Bond with the Savior
Elder Teixeira emphasizes that to be the "salt of the earth," we must be bonded to Jesus Christ. This bond is essential for our spiritual vitality and ability to influence the world positively.
We can’t be salt on our own; if we are to be salt of the earth, we must be bonded to the Lord.
Our unity and strength, grounded in our shared faith, reassure us that we are never alone in this journey.
- What does it mean to be bonded to the Savior?
- How does this bond help us fulfill our role as the salt of the earth?
- How can you strengthen your bond with Jesus Christ daily?
- Reflect on a time when your bond with the Savior helped you influence others positively.
Embrace the Role of Being Salt
Being the salt of the earth involves purity, preservation, and enhancing the lives of others. Elder Teixeira draws a parallel with salt workers who ensure the purity of salt, urging us to maintain our spiritual purity and influence.
Just like the marnotos put forth great effort to ensure they harvest the highest quality of salt, so should we ... be a pure reflection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Like salt can lose its essence, we can also lose our spiritual vitality if our faith in Jesus Christ becomes casual.
- What are the qualities of salt that we should emulate?
- How can we prevent losing our spiritual "savor"?
- In what ways can you ensure your spiritual purity?
- How can you enhance and preserve the lives of those around you?
Commit to Purposeful Service
Elder Teixeira highlights the importance of service as a means to avoid spiritual apathy and maintain our spiritual vitality. He encourages us to be anxiously engaged in good works.
When our lives are filled with purpose and service, we avoid spiritual apathy.
The antidote to this is to continue to be involved in service—being anxiously engaged in good works.
- Why is service critical in maintaining spiritual vitality?
- How does service help us become the salt of the earth?
- What are some ways you can increase your service to others?
- Reflect on a recent service opportunity. How did it impact your spiritual vitality?
Strengthen through Temple Worship
Elder Teixeira underscores the importance of keeping the temple central in our lives to maintain our focus on Christ and strengthen our faith.
Keeping the house of the Lord at the center of our devotion ... will help us focus on what matters most.
In the temple, we find the heart of our faith in Jesus Christ and the soul of our devotion to Him.
- What role does the temple play in our spiritual lives?
- How does regular temple worship strengthen our bond with the Savior?
- How can you make temple worship a more central part of your life?
- Write about a time when temple worship has strengthened your faith.
Use Digital Tools with Purpose
Elder Teixeira advises using digital tools purposefully to connect and minister to others, while avoiding distractions that lead to less meaningful interactions.
These tools are undoubtedly a blessing, yet ... can drag us away from the depth of meaningful interactions.
Striving to be the salt of the earth includes so much more than an endless scrolling of reels on a six-inch screen.
- How can digital tools be used to enhance our discipleship?
- What are the potential pitfalls of digital communication?
- Reflect on your current use of digital tools. How can you make it more purposeful?
- Think of a way you can use digital communication to minister to someone this week.
