Sodom and Gomorrah

Upon learning that the Lord was about to destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham bargains with God to spare the city if he can find just ten righteous people. But only one man, Lot, was found righteous, and the cities were destroyed. As Lot and his family fled the city, Lot’s wife turned and looked back at the city despite being warned not to. She turned into a pillar of salt.

Sin causes pain and sorrow. A definition of “sin” for children could be: “Words, thoughts or actions against God or what He wants. These can be words, thoughts or actions we DO. It can also be words, thoughts or actions that we should do but choose NOT TO DO.”

Bible verses used in this episode:

• Genesis 18:16-19:29
• 2 Peter 2:6-8
• 1 Corinthians 15:33

Outline:

1. Abraham bargains with God (Genesis 16:33)
2. The angels find evil in the city of Sodom (Genesis 19:1-9)
3. Mercy for Lot and his family (Genesis 19:10-22)
4. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:23-29)

Tips for teaching children:

• Cut out two large heart shapes. One of white paper and the other black.  Leave the white heart whole, but cut the black heart into 5 or 6 pieces like a puzzle.  
  • Show the white heart and talk about a pure heart that wants to follow and please God.
  • Next, lay the white heart down and begin covering it with the black “puzzle” pieces. As you place each piece, talk about sin that makes our hearts “dirty”. For example, for children, this might involve saying bad words, lying, or hitting someone. Talk about how God can make our hearts clean again when we tell Him we are sorry and ask for forgiveness.  Remove the black pieces when you talk about forgiveness.
  • The people in today’s story (in Sodom) were not sorry for their sins. They wanted to have a sinful heart.

Tips for teaching adults:
The goal of discussion questions is not to receive one right answer.  The teacher uses these questions to generate discussion. This opens up people's minds to see things in the text that would otherwise not be apparent at first glance. 

For instance, ask the participants to read Genesis 19:25. Note that Abraham seemed very bold, and then ask:

• What is Abraham asking God to do?
• What does he mean by asking, “Won’t you do what is right?”  Does he think God might not do what is right? 
• How does the text encourage us, the reader, to consider God’s mercy and justice? 

You could also ask the students to consider the sin of Sodom.  

• How does the text suggest that Sodom’s biggest sin was violence and injustice?  
• How does Sodom’s inhospitality contrast with the Lot’s hospitality as well as Abraham’s hospitality?  

Full teaching instructions free from Mission Bible Class:

Bible Lesson:  Sodom and Gomorrah

Scriptures quoted from the International Children’s Bible®, copyright ©1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Tommy Nelson. Used by permission.

Excerpts from Mission Bible Class used by permission.

For questions or comments email: mary@missionbibleclass.org