Abraham lets Lot choose first
key words
biblical reference
Genesis 13
lesson objective
To help the children learn to be considerate to others.
memory verse
“And the people said to Joshua, ‘We will serve the Lord our God and obey him’” (Joshua 24:24, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
Elementary children are experts at pointing out when something seems unfair, especially if they think someone is trying to take advantage of them.
At this age, most children are self-centered by nature. They believe that they are the center of all, and often seek to satisfy their needs without taking others into account.
Today’s lesson, which shows Abraham’s generosity, will help your children recognize that God’s provision is for all. They will also learn that he is pleased when they joyfully share what they have with others.
Use this teaching to sow in the hearts of your children the desire to consider the needs of others, and motivate them to share with joy.
biblical commentary
Read Genesis 13:1-18. Abraham and Sarah moved to Canaan, and Lot went with them. After a while, a terrible famine forced them to go to Egypt, where they prospered immensely.
When they returned to Canaan, both Abraham and Lot had many possessions and animals. Their flocks were so large that there was not enough food and water for all of their animals, causing fights between the shepherds of both families.
Therefore, they decided to separate and live in different territories. In ancient culture, the older man had the right to choose the place where he wanted to live. However, Abraham allowed his nephew to choose first.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lot chose the fertile plain of the Jordan, while Abraham settled in Canaan, the place where God had commanded him to go. There God blessed Abraham for his generous attitude, prospering him even more.
For his part, Lot and his family were attracted to two cities in which there was much perversion: Sodom and Gomorrah. When God destroyed those cities, Lot lost his wife and possessions, and almost lost his life.
This story teaches us that fidelity to God has a reward. When we obey his will, our paths prosper, no matter where we are.
introduce the lesson
Many animals!
In advance, prepare modeling dough/clay of different colors. Cover the work area with newspapers or plastic bags and distribute the clay. Ask your children to make various animal figures. They can do as many as the amount of material allows.
As they work, tell them: “What would happen if everyone made so many animals that, there was no space left on the table?” (Some would have to take their animals to other tables or to another place.) Explain that today’s story is about a problem between Abraham and his nephew Lot, because they had so many animals.
teach the lesson
Lot chooses where to live
Abraham and Lot had many animals, especially sheep and cattle. Those animals eat grass, and since both had many livestock, there was not enough grass for all the animals.
For that reason, the shepherds who worked for Abraham and those who worked for Lot often argued. They were always fighting to get the best places with more grass.
Abraham found out about this situation, so he went to talk to his nephew.
“Lot, you and I are family and there should not be fights between us, nor between our shepherds. There is not enough land here for everyone, so I think it is time to separate. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
Lot was surprised when Abraham gave him the opportunity to choose first. According to the custom of those times, the oldest person had the right to choose first. However, Abraham was generous and allowed Lot to choose the land where he wanted to live.
Lot looked around, and saw that the plain of the Jordan River seemed to never lack water. The pastures were green because it was a very fertile land. In addition, there were two large cities nearby.
“I choose to live in the plain of the Jordan!” said Lot. So he left with his family, his workers and his animals to the land where they would live.
Abraham knew he had done the right thing. Although the land he would stay on was not as fertile, he knew that God would take care of him and his family.
Once again, the Lord spoke to him, saying, “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you” (Genesis 13:15-17).
Abraham continued to believe that God would fulfill his promises, so he lived on that land for a long time and God prospered him very much.
connect the lesson
Time to share
Distribute Student Activity Sheet #203-A. Then, provide the children colored markers or pencils. Ask the children to connect the related figures in the activity sheet with a line. Point out that one of the figures represents a problem, while the other represents a solution.
Ask them to tell a brief story about what they think is happening in each situation. Conclude by reviewing what they studied in the Bible story.
practice the memory verse
Allow time for your children to fill in the blanks at the bottom of Student Activity Sheet #203-B with the letters from the wheel. Thus, they will form the Memory verse
“And the people said to Joshua, ‘We will serve the Lord our God and obey him’” (Joshua 24:24, NIV*).
After repeating the text together several times, give some volunteers a chance to say it by heart.
wrap-up
Pray
Ask one of the children to pray aloud and intercede for the requests. Conclude by asking the Lord to help your children be considerate to their peers.
Encourage
Sing a joyful song or chorus before saying goodbye.
Invite
Invite the children to the next meeting to learn more stories about Abraham, the friend of God. Remind them that their friends can also attend.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™