LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 13:2–18, we see Abram and his nephew Lot growing prosperous with flocks and servants, but their blessings lead to strife among their herdsmen. To keep peace, Abram graciously allows Lot to choose the land first. Lot picks the lush Jordan Valley, settling near the sinful city of Sodom, while Abram remains in Canaan. Though Abram received the less fertile area, his faith in God’s promise was unwavering and God rewarded him with a vision of future blessings.
This passage highlights how wise choices are not always the most obvious or attractive ones. Lot chose based on what looked good, while Abram chose to trust God. Teaching this to children sets the foundation for learning how to make decisions rooted in faith and kindness, not just personal gain.
OPENING ACTIVITY 10:30–10:45 | Make a Tent Craft
Items Needed:
- Abram’s Tent Craft (Printed on Cardstock)
- Crayons
- Camping Stickers
- Glue or Glue Tape
- Playdoh (Optional)
Have kids color their tent. Help them use glue tape to hold it together and glue it to the manilla paper. Then have them put stickers on the manilla paper to decorate it.
If there is extra time, they can use playdoh to make people to put inside of the tent.
SONGS 10:45–10:55
PRAYER 10:55–11:05
Have kids sit on the floor. Pray “Dear God, thank You for helping us choose what is right. Help us to be kind and make good choices like. Amen.” Encourage kids to pray out loud as they feel led.
BIBLE STORY 11:05–11:15
Question 1: What book of the Bible is this story from? (Genesis)
Question 2. Is Genesis in the Old or New Testament? (Old Testament)
Today, we have a story about a man who made a really kind choice. His name was Abram!
Abram loved God, and Abram trusted God.
Abram also had a nephew named Lot. [Pause.] Can you say “Lot?” [Let kids respond.] =
Abram and Lot both had lots and lots of animals. They had sheep! They had cows! They had donkeys! [Have kids make animals sounds as you read each one.] SO many animals!
But there was a problem. There was not enough grass for all the animals to eat. Abram’s helpers and Lot’s helpers started to argue. They were not being kind to each other.
Abram did not want anyone to fight. So he had an idea. He said, “Lot, you choose first. Whichever land you want you can have it!”
Abram was the older one. He COULD have chosen first, but he didn’t. He let Lot go first. That was very kind!
Lot looked around. He saw some land that was green and beautiful. He said, “I want THAT land!” and he went there.
That left Abram with the dry, rocky land. It didn’t look as pretty. But Abram was not sad. Do you know why?
Because Abram trusted GOD, and God had a wonderful surprise for Abram.
God said to Abram, “Look around you! Look this way, and that way, and that way, and that way!” [Turn and point in four directions — let kids turn with you!]
God said, “All of this land, I am giving it to you!”
Abram did something kind. He let someone else go first, and God took care of him. God ALWAYS takes care of us when we trust Him.
Can you say our big truth today? Say it with me: “God takes care of me!” [Repeat together 2–3 times.]
Abram chose to be kind, and God was so good to Abram. God is good to us too!
THEOLOGICAL QUESTIONS
- Who did Abram let choose the land first? (Lot, his nephew)
- Who told Abram that all the land would be given to him? (God did)
LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS
- Can you think of a time you let someone else go first? (Let kids share.)
- How does it make you feel to know that God takes care of you? (Let kids share.)
BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:50–7:00 | Sheep Herding Game
Items Needed
- Cotton balls
- Straws
- Box
Have children divide into two teams (Team Abram and Team Lot). Each team forms a line. Each child is given a straw. One at a time, children race to blow their cotton balls into the box. The team with the most cotton balls when the song playing ends wins.
BIBLE CRAFT 7:00–7:10 | Put Others First Jar
Items Needed
- Put Others First Jars
- Crayons
- Glue Tape or Glue Sticks
Have children decorate their jars. (For really young kids, have them cut out and taped together already). Hand out one “coin” at a time to the kids. As they color it, ask them for ideas of what it means. Repeat for all 12 coins. (Older kids could draw a picture of what it means on the back of each coin).
SNACK TIME & Bible Story Video
Pass out snacks and allow children time to eat while they watch the Bible story video.
Bonus Activity: The Land Sorter
Help children discover the difference between good soil and dry, rocky ground, just like the two lands Abram and Lot chose from!
Items Needed
- Two plastic bins or bowls
- Potting soil (dark and rich)
- Sand or gravel
- Grass seed or a small green plant
- Small plastic animals (pigs, sheep, or cows) or toy figures
Set up one bin with dark potting soil and a little grass or greenery. Set up the other with dry sand or gravel. Give children the toy animals and let them decide which land would feed the animals better? After they explore, remind them: Lot chose the pretty green land, but Abram trusted God with whatever was left. God blessed Abram anyway! Ask: “Does God need pretty land to take care of us?”
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (KJV)
Genesis 13:14–17
“And the Lord said unto Abram…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.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Choose God’s way
What I Learned Today:
- Abram let Lot choose first.
- Lot picked the green land, but it was near bad people.
- Abram trusted God, and God blessed him.
Questions to Ask Me:
Theological Questions:
- Who gave Abram a promise? (God)
- What did God say Abram would have? (All the land)
- Did Lot make a good choice? (Not really, it looked good but had bad people)
- What book of the Bible is this story from? (Genesis)
- Why is it important to trust God? (He always keeps His promises)
Life Application Questions:
- How can I make good choices? (Pray, ask parents, listen to God)
- What should I do when I want something someone else has? (Share, take turns)
- Who helps me choose what is right? (God, parents, teachers)
- What do I do when I see someone making a bad choice? (Pray, be kind, ask an adult)
- How can I be like Abram? (Trust God, be kind, let others go first)