Lesson 8: Abraham and Lot Separate - Choosing Peace and Unselfishness

1. Key Bible Reading

Passage: Genesis 13:1 – 13:18 (also referencing Matthew 5:9 and Philippians 2:3–4, World English Bible – WEB).
Teachers and parents: Read Genesis 13:1–18 aloud with the children. Ask the children what they do when two people want the same toy, seat, or biggest piece of fruit!

2. Memory Verse to Learn by Heart

“Abram said to Lot, ‘Please, let there be no strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are relatives.’”
— Genesis 13:8 (WEB)

3. What We Will Learn Today

• How God blessed both Abram and his nephew Lot with so many flocks, herds, and tents that the land could not support them all in one place.
• Why strife (quarrelling) broke out between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock.
• How Uncle Abram acted as a humble peacemaker by giving his younger nephew Lot the very first choice of the land.
• Why Lot’s selfish choice of the fertile Plain of the Jordan near wicked Sodom was dangerous, whilst Abram trusted God in the hills of Canaan.
• How Yahweh rewarded Abram’s unselfish heart by promising him and his offspring all the land north, south, east, and west forever!

4. The Complete Story of Abraham and Lot Separating

Part A: Great Blessings and a Quarrel Among the Herdsmen (Genesis 13:1–7)

Abram, his wife Sarai, and his nephew Lot travelled back up into the hills of Canaan, returning to the place between Bethel and Ai where Abram had built an altar earlier. There Abram called on the name of Yahweh (Genesis 13:3–4).

God had blessed Abram and Lot abundantly! The Bible tells us:

“Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold... Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents. The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together; for their substance was great, so that they could not live together.” — Genesis 13:2, 5–6 (WEB)

With thousands of sheep, goats, cattle, camels, and donkeys all needing green grass to eat and fresh water to drink every day, the pastures and wells quickly became crowded. Soon, a problem arose:

“There was direct strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land at that time.” — Genesis 13:7 (WEB)

Abram’s shepherds and Lot’s shepherds were arguing and fighting over whose sheep should drink first and whose cattle should graze on the best hillside! Even worse, their neighbours—the Canaanites and Perizzites who did not know Yahweh—were watching them quarrel.

Part B: Abram the Peacemaker & Lot’s Selfish Choice (Genesis 13:8–13)

Abram was the elder uncle and the leader of the family. By custom, Abram had every right to take the best land for himself and tell young Lot where to go. Instead, Abram showed a gentle, Christ-like spirit of peace and unselfishness:

“Abram said to Lot, ‘Please, let there be no strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are relatives. Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.’” — Genesis 13:8–9 (WEB)

What a wonderful example! Abram cared more about family love and peace than about grabbing the greenest grass for himself.

How did Lot respond? Did Lot say, “No, Uncle Abram, you are older—you choose first!”? Sadly, no. Lot looked out with greedy eyes at the richest-looking valley:

“Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot travelled east, and they separated themselves from one another. Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Yahweh.” — Genesis 13:10–13 (WEB)

Lot only looked at what seemed pleasing on the outside—water and green grass—without asking God for wisdom or caring that he was moving his family right next to the wicked city of Sodom!

Part C: God Rewards Abram’s Unselfish Heart (Genesis 13:14–18)

Even though Abram let Lot take the well-watered valley, Abram lost nothing by being generous! As soon as Lot had departed, Yahweh spoke to Abram with an even greater blessing:

“Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, ‘Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land which you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.’” — Genesis 13:14–17 (WEB)

Lot had lifted up his eyes to grab one valley for himself, and later he lost everything in Sodom. Abram waited on God in humility, and God told Abram to lift up his eyes in all four directions—north, south, east, and west—and gave the whole land to Abram and his descendants forever!

“Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.” — Genesis 13:18 (WEB)

5. Quick Revision Table: Key Facts of Abraham & Lot Separating (WEB)

6. Class Discussion Questions

1. Why were Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen quarrelling? Who else was living in the land and watching how God’s people behaved?
2. Why did Uncle Abram let his younger nephew Lot choose first? What does Jesus say about peacemakers in Matthew 5:9 (“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”)?
3. What mistake did Lot make when choosing where to live? Why should we care more about being close to God than just picking what looks shiny on the outside?
4. How can you be like Abram at home or at school when your brother, sister, or friend wants the same thing you want?

7. Fun Children’s Activity

8. Closing Prayer

“Prince of Peace and Heavenly Father, thank You for the unselfish example of Abram. Whenever arguments or quarrels start around us, help us to be true peacemakers who share gladly and put others first. Keep us away from wicked places like Sodom, and help us walk closely with You every day. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.”