Lesson Overview for ADULTS
In Genesis 13:1-18, we discover an important story about two family members who had to make difficult decisions. Abraham and his nephew Lot had become very wealthy with large flocks and herds, but their success created a problem. Their shepherds began fighting over the best grazing land and water sources because there wasn’t enough space for everyone. Abraham, being a wise and godly man, approached Lot with a solution that would prevent further conflict between their families.
Abraham gave Lot the first choice of land, demonstrating remarkable generosity and trust in God’s provision. Lot looked around and saw the beautiful, well-watered plains near Jordan, which appeared perfect for his livestock. However, this land was near the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot chose based on what looked good to his eyes rather than considering the spiritual consequences. Abraham took the land that was left and built an altar to worship God. God then blessed Abraham by promising him even more land and countless descendants. This story teaches us that our choices have consequences, and we should seek God’s wisdom when making decisions.
Opening Activity: Good Choice Bean Bag Toss 10:15-10:30 a.m.
Items Needed:
- 2 Buckets or Pails (Label 1 Good Choice, 1 Bad Choice)
- Good Choice / Bad Choice List
- Bean Bags, Squishy Balls (or similar items)
Read children the list of different choices. They toss bean bags into the correct pail based on whether the picture shows a good or bad choice. Celebrate when they choose correctly.
| Good Choices | Bad Choices |
|---|---|
| Sharing toys with friends | Keeping all toys to yourself |
| Using kind words when upset | Yelling or calling names |
| Asking for help when needed | Trying to do dangerous things alone |
| Telling the truth even when scared | Lying to avoid getting in trouble |
| Cleaning up after playtime | Leaving toys scattered everywhere |
| Listening when grown-ups are talking | Interrupting or talking over others |
| Washing hands before eating | Eating with dirty hands |
| Walking carefully indoors | Running inside the house |
| Saying “please” and “thank you” | Demanding things without being polite |
| Putting on a seatbelt in the car | Refusing to buckle up |
| Brushing teeth before bed | Going to sleep with dirty teeth |
| Waiting your turn in line | Pushing ahead of others |
| Petting animals gently | Being rough with pets |
| Eating healthy foods first | Only wanting candy and sweets |
| Asking before taking something | Taking things without permission |
| Helping others when they’re sad | Ignoring friends who are crying |
| Putting away screens when asked | Hiding tablets or phones |
| Using inside voice in quiet places | Being loud in libraries or stores |
| Trying new foods | Refusing to taste anything new |
| Saying sorry when you make mistakes | Blaming others for your actions |
Interactive Bible Story (10:30-10:40 a.m.)
Materials Needed:
- Bible
- 1 beautifully wrapped, empty inside gift
- 1 plain cardboard box filled with toys
- Whiteboard
- Markers
- Lot & Abraham Storyboard
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? Genesis
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? Old Testament
Bible Story:
Start by giving each kid a storyboard with the pieces already cutout. Have them color the right side of the paper green (to represent the well watered grass) and the left side a light yellow-green.
Abraham and his nephew Lot lived together with their families and all their animals – lots and lots of sheep, goats, and cows! They had so many animals that there wasn’t enough grass and water for all of them. The shepherds who took care of the animals started arguing and fighting about who could use the best spots.
Ask the kids which side they would put their cows on in the picture. The side with the bright green grass that has a lot of water or the yellow grass that isn’t as pretty?
Abraham didn’t want his family and Lot’s family to fight, so he made a very kind choice. He told Lot, “You can pick first! Look around and choose where you want to live with your animals. I’ll take whatever land is left.”
Lot looked around and saw beautiful green land near the Jordan River. It had lots of water and green grass – it looked perfect! But there was a problem Lot didn’t think about. Near that pretty land were two very bad cities called Sodom and Gomorrah where people didn’t love God and did mean things.
Lot chose the pretty land anyway because it looked so good.
Give the kids Lot and the Jersey Cows to glue onto the beautiful green grass.
Abraham took the land that was left, and do you know what he did? He built a special place to pray to God! God was very happy with Abraham’s choice and promised to give him even more land and a big, big family.
Give the kids Abraham and the Brahma cows to glue onto the yellow grass.
Object Lesson: Show two gift boxes – one beautifully wrapped but empty inside, and one plain but filled with good things. Explain that sometimes what looks good on the outside isn’t the best choice, just like Lot’s choice of pretty land near bad cities.
Theological Questions:
- Who gives us the power to make choices? (God does)
- What should we do before making big choices? (Pray and ask God for help)
Life Application Questions:
- When someone is mean to you, what choice can you make? (Choose to be kind back)
- How can you choose to obey your parents today? (Listen and do what they ask)
Prayer: “Dear God, thank You for giving us the power to choose. Help us make wise choices that please You and show love to others. Amen.”
Song and Movement (10:40-10:50 a.m.)
Worksheet: Good Choice or Bad Choice (10:50-11:00 a.m.)
Items Needed
- Good Choice Bad Choice Handout
- Scissors
- Glue
- Crayons
Help kids cutout the Good Choice and Bad Choices on the bottom of the handout. Discuss with them where to glue. Is it a good choice or a bad choice?
Closing: VBS Song Practice (11:00-11:15 a.m.)
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Genesis 13:1-18 (KJV) “And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.”