Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture Quotations are from the New American Standard Bible, © The Lockman Foundation, Related Topics: Discipleship, Spiritual Life, Steve served as the pastor of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship from May, 1992 through his retirement in December, 2018. Choices. If our joy rides on our possessions or if we are filled with anxiety and grief if we lose them, then we are more governed by greed than by God. There is a clear progression in this story. It would not seem to matter much whether a drop of water goes to the left or to the right. Biblical Decision Making Lesson 2 - Making Right Choices When Others Do Not Recommended Age/Class: Elementary School (K-5th grade) Lesson Objectives: 1. Lot wasn’t just deciding for himself. Or if we all shared how we met our mates, many of the stories would begin with seemingly insignificant decisions to attend some social event. The Bible is a book of God’s Word given to us for our learning so that we can make choices and avoid bad consequences so that we can enjoy the blessings and fellowship of God. But, if we start thinking, “If I just had such and such, I would be happy,” or if we think that by getting so much in the bank, we will be secure from the trials of life, then we’ve shifted our trust from God to material things, and we are governed by greed. A simple object lesson may help young children understand this principle. I’ve got to admit “Sorry I asked” and “Ugh, boring” were both thoughts that ran through my mind. But there are four basic principles in our text that I want to explore with you: Note verse 8: “Please let there be no strife between you and me, ... because we are brothers.” Coming just after the statement about the Canaanites and Perizzites being in the land, this may point to Abram’s concern about how their strife would affect the witness to the pagans around them. First, both Lot and Abram have increased wealth (13:2, 5-6). Matthew 27:3-5 “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. 14:19). Are Christians supposed to be doormats? Dr. Mike has worked in the information technology field for many years and he uses his talents and experience in the ministry for the glory of the Lord. What Is The 5th (Fifth) Commandment In The Bible? There is much more in life than the outward and material. Dr Michael L has written 155 articles on What Christians Want To Know! I hope & believe that many shall benefit from this article as I have. Lot didn’t want any part of the hard life of faith, of living in famine-stricken Canaan. Amen. Let’s ask God to help us make good choices as we play. Romans 8:6 states, "If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. Genesis 13 is the first mention of wealth in the Bible. Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Advertise. But He will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ wrongdoing on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation. Through this Sunday school lesson, children will learn that consistently living a pure and holy life builds a strong, Godly reputation. What Does Edify Or Edification Mean? We tend to think of Christian commitment as a bold decision to forsake everything and follow Jesus. When you pick up one end of a stick, the other end always comes with it. It helps you clarify the question, “What are we really living for?” Remember, the same thing that happened to all of Lot’s stuff when Sodom burned is going to happen to all your stuff when Christ judges the world. The fact is, no five-year-old is mature enough to handle a loaded gun. consequences, The Panorama Fire was raging out of control in a canyon a few miles below our house. Abram lived for God and came up full. He wanted to live the good life in Egypt. The general rule is, “Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Rom. The next time you are about to quarrel with someone (and quarrelling is a choice we make! Growing Closer to Jesus. I’ve seen many Christian families make a decision to move because the husband is offered a better-paying job. The first thing to consider is that God has given us the Bible as a manual for everything we experience in life so that as we get older we gain wisdom that results in our salvation (2 Timothy 3:14-17). The herdsmen of Lot and of Abram were quarreling because there wasn’t adequate land to support all their flocks. The Sodomites rated a 10 on the wickedness scale, and the Canaanites a 9.5. The things he saw and got didn’t bring him the lasting happiness he expected. Q. A girl decides to have a drink at a party, resulting in her letting down her inhibitions. That decision led to a relationship which forever affected our lives, not to mention our children’s lives. He took off for the good life and left Abram literally in the dust, in dusty Canaan, where there had just been a severe famine. Life application. Many choices in life are like that. Since I couldn’t post this w/o indicating a primary passage, i put the first passage i use in this sermon so i could post it. Paraphrase Proverbs 3:5-6, saying: God wants us to make good choices. He never seemed to consider what verse 13 points out, the spiritual implications of moving his family to Sodom. How do we determine where to draw the line when it comes to amassing possessions? Most often, it is the consequences that lead us to think this way, but one thing is certain, we can learn from our choices by the consequences we experience. The increased strife led to increased responsibility for choices. Proverbs 3:31-33 “Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. Who - or What - is Controlling Your Choices?,Shane Idleman - Study from the Bible and be encouraged to grow your faith! He had left his family and friends in Ur to go with Abram to the promised land. As believers, there are two main choices: Trusting Christ as our Savior and learning to become like Him by following the leading of the Holy Spirit. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. { 2 comments… read them below or add one }. Lot’s choice of Sodom was based on what would bring him quick gratification, but he didn’t take into account God’s promise to Abram about the land. Some choices are simple and even become routine, while others are . But the outcome of those drops of water is totally different. Use this story for your kids Sunday school lesson to emphasize this life skill. The Lord Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. Looking for youth group lessons or Bible lessons for kids? The Books of Joshua and Judges are full of stories illustrating how choices inevitably lead to consequences.