Abraham and Lot Shared
Genesis 13:1-12
Our story comes from the book, or part, of the Bible called Genesis. Genesis means "the beginning."
The Bible tells us about a man named Abraham and his nephew Lot.
They are part of the same family. Abraham had helpers called servants. He had many sheep.
Lot also had servants. He also had many sheep.
Abraham and Lot had moved their families, servants and sheep to land near a place called Bethel.
But the land didn’t have enough food and water for both Abraham and Lot. They had too many servants and sheep.
People and animals got their water at a well. One day, Abraham’s servants took his sheep to drink water at a well.
It was very crowded. All the sheep were thirsty. They bumped into each other. “Baa, baa,” said the sheep.
The servants shook their fists and yelled at each other.
Abraham’s servants said, “We were here first.”
Lot’s servants said, “Our sheep are thirsty, too. It is our turn now.”
Abraham told Lot, “The land is too crowded. My servants shouldn’t yell and fight with your servants. You and I shouldn’t argue with each other. We’re part of the same family. Let’s share the land. Look at it. Which part do you want? If you go to the left part, I’ll go to the right. If you want the right part of the land, I’ll take the left.”
Lot looked at the land. Then he said, “You’re right. We should share instead of argue. I’ll move to the land on the left, the Jordan River valley.”
So, Lot moved from Bethel to the Jordan River valley. Abraham moved to the other side of the land in a place called Canaan.
Everyone had plenty of room. Abraham and Lot shared the land in their family. We can share in our families, too.
Bible Paraphrase: Love one another. (“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34 NIV)
Text Truth: We can share in our families.
Abraham could certainly see the potential for personal loss. We can all see potential loss when we give up what we have. Your child understands this.
It is a risk, but Abraham shows us how to let go by focusing on the gain. Sharing leads, at minimum, to stability in relationships, if not stronger relationships. Sharing also pleases God.
Ask God to open your heart and eyes to opportunities to share what you have with people around you. Ask Him how He would have you act on those opportunities.
Let your sharing experiences equip you to teach your family to share.
You’ll Need: cereal Os, licorice strings
Share a yummy snack to eat with your family. Work with your child to make edible bracelets by stringing cereal Os on licorice strings. Tie into a bracelet. Share with others.
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The illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license. www.freebibleimages.org
Our story comes from the book, or part, of the Bible called Genesis. Genesis means "the beginning."
The Bible tells us about a man named Abraham and his nephew Lot.
They are part of the same family. Abraham had helpers called servants. He had many sheep.
Lot also had servants. He also had many sheep.
Abraham and Lot had moved their families, servants and sheep to land near a place called Bethel.
But the land didn’t have enough food and water for both Abraham and Lot. They had too many servants and sheep.
People and animals got their water at a well. One day, Abraham’s servants took his sheep to drink water at a well.
It was very crowded. All the sheep were thirsty. They bumped into each other. “Baa, baa,” said the sheep.
The servants shook their fists and yelled at each other.
Abraham’s servants said, “We were here first.”
Lot’s servants said, “Our sheep are thirsty, too. It is our turn now.”
Abraham told Lot, “The land is too crowded. My servants shouldn’t yell and fight with your servants. You and I shouldn’t argue with each other. We’re part of the same family. Let’s share the land. Look at it. Which part do you want? If you go to the left part, I’ll go to the right. If you want the right part of the land, I’ll take the left.”
Lot looked at the land. Then he said, “You’re right. We should share instead of argue. I’ll move to the land on the left, the Jordan River valley.”
So, Lot moved from Bethel to the Jordan River valley. Abraham moved to the other side of the land in a place called Canaan.
Everyone had plenty of room. Abraham and Lot shared the land in their family. We can share in our families, too.
Bible Paraphrase: Love one another. (“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34 NIV)
Text Truth: We can share in our families.
Family Devotional
So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” — Genesis 13:8-9
Abraham could certainly see the potential for personal loss. We can all see potential loss when we give up what we have. Your child understands this.
It is a risk, but Abraham shows us how to let go by focusing on the gain. Sharing leads, at minimum, to stability in relationships, if not stronger relationships. Sharing also pleases God.
Ask God to open your heart and eyes to opportunities to share what you have with people around you. Ask Him how He would have you act on those opportunities.
Let your sharing experiences equip you to teach your family to share.
Activities You Can Do at Home
Bible Rhyme
The Bible paraphrase is in the last line of the rhyme. Teach the words and actions a line at a time. Have your child repeat each line back to you.
God made me.
(Point to self.)
God made you.
(Point to someone else.)
God made my family, too!
(Hug self.)
God loves me.
(Point to self.)
God loves you.
(Point to someone.)
He said, "Love one another," too.
(Open arms wide.)
Edible Bracelets
You’ll Need: cereal Os, licorice strings
Share a yummy snack to eat with your family. Work with your child to make edible bracelets by stringing cereal Os on licorice strings. Tie into a bracelet. Share with others.
I Can Share My Toys
Sing this song to the tune of "Farmer in the Dell." Replace
the word toys with other things you can share with your family for additional
verses.
I can share my toys.
I can share my toys.
I can share my toys with you.
I can share my toys.
Play and Share
As you play with your child this week, give your child opportunities to
share. Praise your child when she chooses to share and talk about how she did
it. Talk about when you share with her and when other family members share.
Tell the Bible Story
You’ll Need: building blocks,
cotton balls
Help the story of Abraham and Lot come to life for your child with some
blocks to build a well and some cotton balls to represent sheep. Help him crowd
the cotton sheep all around the well, then divide them into two groups as
Abraham and Lot did. Talk about how each one in your family shares the space
you have in your home.
Pray for Help to Share
God will help us when we ask. When someone in your family is having
trouble sharing, stop and together ask God to help everyone in your family to
share.
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The illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license. www.freebibleimages.org
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