Leader's Guide
TRAINING MODULE
Week 1: Intro to SALT
- SALT helps students grow in faith and leadership through real-life practice. The program equips high schoolers to lead by connecting monthly, serving weekly, and reading daily—training students to live out their faith as part of a team.
- Jesus modeled servant leadership, not status-seeking.
True leadership means putting others first. Jesus taught that greatness comes through serving, and that’s the mindset SALT leaders commit to. - Jesus called young people to lead—and He still does. Most of His disciples were likely teens or young adults. Student leaders today can make a real impact when they follow His example.
- You don’t need to be perfect—just willing. Leadership isn’t about having it all together. Like Timothy, young people can lead by example when they’re willing to follow Jesus and serve others with humility.
- Before You Start! Have each leader introduce themselves and answer these questions:
- Give a short testimony (2-5 mins) of your joureny to Jesus.
- Who has been the biggest influence on your faith journey, and why?
- What was your favorite thing to do when you were in high school?
- What’s a hobby or activity you enjoy now that most people wouldn’t expect?
- What’s one fun or random fact about you that students might not guess?
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- How would you define a “leader”? Do you think Jesus’ definition matches what our culture values?
- Why do you think Jesus picked young people for such an important mission?
- Have you ever felt “too young” or “not ready” to serve God? How does 1 Timothy 4:12 encourage you?
- What challenges do you think students face when it comes to leadership or serving others?
- What’s one area in your life where you could grow in humility or service right now?
Week 2: SALT in a Nutshell
- Before You Start! Have each student introduce themselves and answer these questions:
- What grade are you in and what school are you at?
- What’s one thing you’re really into right now — a hobby, a sport, a show, or even a game?
- What’s one thing you hope to get out of being in SALT this year?
- Jesus called His followers to be the “salt of the earth”—distinct, purposeful, and impactful in a decaying world. Matthew 5:13
- Salt preserves truth, adds spiritual flavor, and creates thirst for God in others. That’s what the SALT program trains you to do.
- The program is built on three core habits: read daily (YouVersion plan), serve weekly (ministry teams), and meet monthly (team growth).
- This isn’t just about filling roles at church—it’s about becoming more like Jesus through service, discipline, and community.
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Why do you think Jesus used “salt” to describe His followers? Which of the three uses—preserve, flavor, thirst—stands out most to you?
- What do you think it means to “lose your saltiness” as a Christian?
- Which of the three SALT habits (read daily, serve weekly, meet monthly) feels most exciting to you? Which one feels most challenging?
- How could serving at church grow your confidence and your faith?
- Why do you think it’s important to build the habit of reading God’s Word every day?
- What’s one way you hope to grow personally or spiritually through this program?
Week 3: Should I Join the Team?
- God often calls people who feel underqualified—like Moses, David, and the disciples—to do great things. You don’t have to be perfect to lead.
- Moses felt insecure and tongue-tied, but God still used him to lead a nation. Exodus 4:10-12
- David was overlooked by everyone else, but God saw leadership in his heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
- The disciples were full of doubts and failures, but Jesus still called them. 1 Corinthians 1:27
- Students can set an example and make an impact when they lead with faith and humility. 1 Timothy 4:12
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Which of the three doubts—”I’m too quiet,” “I’m not a leader,” or “I’m not strong in faith”—do you relate to most?
- How does Moses’ story encourage people who feel nervous about speaking or leading?
- Why do you think God chooses “ordinary” people to lead in the Bible and today?
- What qualities does God look for in a leader according to 1 Samuel 16:7?
- Why is being “willing” more important than being perfect when it comes to leadership?
- What’s one thing holding you back from saying yes to SALT, and how can you overcome it?
PURSUIT MODULE
Week 4: Student Pursuit 1 and 2
- In today’s topic we’re asking the big question: Can I really know God? The Bible says yes—God isn’t hiding from us. He promises that if we seek Him with all our heart, we will find Him. Jeremiah 29:13
- The Bible is historically reliable, textually unified, and personally transforming—evidence that God has preserved His Word and that it all points to Jesus. Jeremiah 29:13, John 5:39
- Being made in God’s image gives every person unshakable value and dignity. This truth changes how we see ourselves and how we treat others. Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:31
- God gave us freedom so that our love for Him and others would be real. Our ultimate purpose is to love God and love people. Genesis 2:16-17, Matthew 22:37-40
- God isn’t distant or against us—He is willing to meet us where we are and invites us into a full, abundant life. Matthew 8:2-3, John 10:10
- God has been pursuing us from the very beginning and we are invited to respond and take the next step in our pursuit of Him. Psalm 139:16
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Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- How would you describe your relationship with God at this point—do you feel near to Him, or more distant?
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Which kind of evidence for the Bible—historical, textual, or personal—do you find most convincing? Why?
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How does being made in God’s image change the way you think about yourself and other people?
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What do you think “life to the full” (John 10:10) would look like for a teenager today?
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What comes to mind when you think about God pursuing you personally? How does Psalm 139:16 talk about that?
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If pursuing God means taking the next step, what do you think your next step could be right now?
- Sin means going our own way instead of going God’s way. That’s what Adam and Eve did in the garden, and it’s what we still do today. Genesis 3:1-6
- Sin isn’t just about “breaking rules.” It messes up everything—our thinking, our friendships, and even how we see ourselves. Galatians 5:19-21, Romans 1:30
- Everyone struggles with sin. It’s part of our nature from birth, not just mistakes we make once in a while. Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23
- We can’t fix sin by ourselves. Trying harder or being “good enough” won’t work. That’s why Jesus said we need to be “born again.” John 3:3
- Jesus is the only one who can give us a brand-new start. He died for our sins and rose again so we could live the full life God wants for us. John 10:10
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Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
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When you look at the world today, what examples do you see that show something is “broken”?
- Why can our feelings sometimes lead us in the wrong direction? Can you think of a choice you made that ended up making things harder for you?
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Where have you seen sin break trust or hurt relationships in your own life?
- Read Galatians 5:19–21. How have you and others justified some of these sins in your own life? (Or other sins like gossip, lying, bullying etc.)
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What does it mean to be “born again”? How is that different from just trying harder to be good?
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This week, be real with yourself and think about the parts of your life that feel broken or messed up.
Week 5: Student Pursuit 3 and 4
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Jesus is fully God, not just a prophet or teacher: His identity as God makes Him the only one who can save us. (John 1:1-4, Colossians 1:15-20)
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Jesus lived a perfect life without sin: He showed God’s goodness through His actions and care for others. (Acts 10:38)
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Jesus died and came back to life: His death and resurrection prove He has power over sin and death. (Acts 10:39-40, 1 Corinthians 15:14)
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Jesus will judge everyone one day: He will hold everyone accountable for how they lived. (Acts 10:42, Romans 2:9-16)
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Jesus offers forgiveness to anyone who believes: Salvation is a gift we receive by trusting in Jesus, not something we earn. (Acts 10:43, Romans 3:23-25)
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Before listening to this episode, how would you have described Jesus to someone?
- When you think about Jesus being “Lord of all,” what does that mean for your everyday life—like how you treat people or make choices?
- Jesus lived a perfect life. How does that challenge the way you think about what it means to be “good”?
- The resurrection means death isn’t the end. How does that change the way you view things like fear, loss, or the future?
- Knowing that Jesus will one day judge everyone, how should that impact what you prioritize right now as a student?
- Why do you think so many people try to earn God’s approval instead of accepting forgiveness by faith?
- If Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone, what’s one step you could take to share that message with a friend who doesn’t know Him yet?
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Saving faith begins with understanding God’s love, shown through Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9).
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It requires a heart change—repentance, where we choose to turn from sin and follow God (Acts 2:38).
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Confession is key, where we openly declare Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection for salvation (Romans 10:9).
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Salvation is a free gift of grace, not something we can earn through good works (Ephesians 2:8).
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Anyone who believes in Jesus, no matter their past, can be made right with God (Romans 3:22)
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Read 1 John 4:9. How did God show His love for us, and why did He do it?
- What are the “right things” we need to know to be saved? What does it mean to have the right attitude toward God?
- Read Ephesians 2:8. Why is it important to understand that grace is a gift, not something we can earn?
- Read Romans 3:22. This verse says that we’re made right with God by faith in Jesus. Do you believe that’s true for everyone, no matter what they’ve done? Why or why not?
- Read Romans 10:9. Have you ever confessed your faith in Jesus? If not, what questions do you still have? Are you ready to make that decision today?
Week 6: Student Pursuit 5 and 6
Coming soon!