How to be a SALT Leader
Hey leaders, welcome to the PursueGOD Training Podcast. Today we’re going to give you a complete roadmap for leading the SALT program—from the big picture 9-month journey to the nightly flow that makes every meeting meaningful, fun, and spiritually powerful.
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If you’re leading SALT, this is your playbook.
SEGMENT 1: THE BIG PICTURE VISION
SALT is a 9-month student leadership program that helps high school students:
* Grow in their faith,
* Serve consistently, and
* Lead by example in their local church.
It comes straight from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth.” SALT students learn to be distinct, purposeful, and impactful in a world that needs Jesus.
The program centers on three core habits:
1. Read daily through the Bible plan.
2. Serve weekly on a ministry team.
3. Meet monthly for teaching, discussion, and accountability.
Your job as a leader? Guide students through these habits, cheer them on, and make it relational, consistent, and fun.
SEGMENT 2: THE 9-MONTH STRUCTURE
Here’s the program flow:
* Boot Camp (Weeks 1–6):
* These first weeks set the tone. Students meet each other, start the Bible reading plan, find a serving role, and learn the rhythm of SALT.
* Monthly Meetings (Months 2–8):
* After Boot Camp, you meet once a month for a leadership lesson, Bible and serving check-in, group discussion, and prayer.
* Graduation (Month 9):
* The final meeting celebrates growth, shares stories, and launches students to keep living out their faith.
Every meeting follows a similar rhythm—but the first few weeks focus on relationships and introductions, while later months focus more on leadership growth and consistency.
SEGMENT 3: PREPARING BEFORE EACH MEETING
Here’s what leaders should do before every SALT meeting:
* Watch the lesson video/podcast and review the Talking Points and discussion questions.
* Listen to this leader podcast so you feel confident about the plan.
* Set the atmosphere: Whether you meet at someone’s home or the church, make it welcoming. Play music, have snacks ready, maybe even start a game while students arrive.
* Plan the fun: Bring icebreakers or simple games like Uno or Play Nine to make it easy for students to connect.
The goal is for students to show up feeling like this is their space—a place they want to be.
SEGMENT 4: THE NIGHTLY FLOW
Okay, let’s get practical. Here’s a simple outline for each SALT night:
1. Food and Fun: Start with snacks or a meal, plus a game or icebreaker. This sets a relational tone.
2. Watch the Video: Keep it short and focused—it sets up your discussion.
3. Read the Talking Points: Invite students to take turns reading aloud.
4. Ask One Question at a Time: Read the question, let the group respond, and keep it conversational.
5. Check In on Bible Reading & Serving: Encourage consistency and celebrate wins.
6. End with Prayer Requests: Have each student share one thing to pray about and invite students to pray for each other.
This simple rhythm works whether you’re in Boot Camp or month seven.
SEGMENT 5: LEADING WITH PURPOSE
SALT isn’t about perfection—it’s about walking with students as they learn to own their faith.
As a leader, remember:
* Relationships first: Know your students personally.
* Model consistency: Be faithful in reading, serving, and showing up.
* Keep it fun and welcoming: Kids come back when they feel connected and cared for.
* Pray with them and for them: This shapes hearts more than anything else.
By the end of the 9 months, students should feel closer to Jesus, more confident serving, and ready to lead others.
WRAP-UP
So that’s the full SALT playbook: a 9-month journey built on daily Bible reading, weekly serving, and monthly meetings—each night filled with fun, discussion, and prayer.
If you want all the lessons, videos, and guides, go to pursueGOD.org/SALT [https://www.pursuegod.org/salt?utm_source=chatgpt.com].
Thanks for leading the next generation—we can’t wait to see what God does through you and your students this year.
