You Choose First: Abram and Lot
Genesis 13:1-18; Genesis 12:7; Philippians 2:3-8; Galatians 3:16 Old Testament PrincipleGenerosity
Abram and his nephew Lot had so many sheep, goats and cattle that the land couldn't hold them both, and their herdsmen started fighting. Abram, the older man God had made a promise to, could have taken the best land. Instead he said, "Let there be no fighting between us. You choose first." Lot looked out, saw the green, well-watered Jordan plain and took it for himself. Then God told Abram to look north, south, east and west – "All the land that you see, I will give to you." We can be generous and let others go first, because God has promised to take care of us.
Generosity is gladly putting others first and letting go of what we could hold onto. We can open our hands because God has promised to provide for us, and Jesus gave up everything for us.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:4 BSB
Christ Connection · Promise
God promised the land "to you and your offspring forever" (Genesis 13:15). Paul says that promised offspring is Jesus (Galatians 3:16). And Jesus is even more generous than Abram: though He was rich, He became poor for us, so that we could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
Galatians 3:16; Philippians 2:5-8; 2 Corinthians 8:9
The Big Story · Redemption
After sin broke the world, God chose Abram and promised that through his family He would bless every nation. That promised family led to Jesus, who gave up everything to rescue us.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: Who picks first?
- Bible Kitchen (taste the story): You cut, I choose
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: North, south, east, west
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
God cares for me, so I share.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Sheep and cows, Color Abram and Lot
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with brothers and sisters, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Abram and Lot had so many animals that their helpers started to fight. Abram could have picked the best land. But he said, "Let's not fight. You choose first." Lot took the green land with lots of water. Then God told Abram, "Look up! All the land you see, I will give to you." God takes care of us, so we can let others go first.
Start here
Do "Who picks first?" with the plate of crackers. Ask, "Is it easy or hard to give someone else the best one?" Say, "Let's hear about a man who gave the best land away."
Bible story 6 min
God had made a big promise to Abram. "I will give this land to your family."
Abram had lots of sheep, goats and cows. His nephew Lot had lots of animals too. There was not enough grass and water for all of them.
So their helpers started to fight. "Get your goats away from our well!" "Your sheep ate all our grass!"
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
You choose first 10 min
You’ll need: Green and brown paper
- Choose a narrator, Abram, Lot, two herdsmen and the voice of God.
- Act out the skit. Lot stands on the green paper when he chooses.
- Switch parts so more kids get a turn.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
God had promised Abram the land of Canaan. When Abram's and Lot's herdsmen fought over grass and water, Abram, the elder, could have taken the best. Instead he said, "Is not the whole land before you? You choose." Lot looked out, saw the well-watered Jordan plain and took it for himself. Then God told Abram, "Lift up your eyes and look… all the land that you see, I will give to you." Generosity means putting others first, and we can do it because we trust God to provide.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Two looks, North, south, east, west
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with brothers and sisters, with friends, at school
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
God had promised Abram the land (Genesis 12:7). When strife broke out between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen, Abram – the elder and the heir of the promise – gave up his right to choose. Lot "looked out" and chose the lush Jordan plain for himself, pitching his tent toward wicked Sodom. Then God told Abram to "lift up your eyes" in every direction and promised him all of it, forever. Generosity flows from trust; we can put others first because God provides, and because Jesus, the promised offspring, did not grasp what was His.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Sight or promise?, My open hands
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, in sports and games, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Generosity
The same principle in other Bible stories.
The Church BeginsThe Church SharesActs 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-37The first Christians loved each other so much that they shared everything they had. They ate together, prayed together and made sure no one was in need. Barnabas even sold a field and gave the money to help.New TestamentGenerosity
The Widow’s OfferingMark 12:38-44; Luke 21:1-4At the temple, Jesus watched people put money into the offering box. Rich people gave lots of money. Then a poor widow gave two tiny coins. Jesus said she gave more than all of them, because she gave everything she had. God sees our hearts, and He loves when we give with love.New TestamentGenerosity
Jesus the KingJesus Feeds 5,000John 6:1-14; 2 Kings 4:42-44When a huge, hungry crowd followed Jesus, a boy shared five small loaves and two fish, and Jesus gave thanks and fed everyone, with twelve baskets left over.New TestamentGenerosity
With Building BricksMore Than Enough: Building the TabernacleExodus 35:4-36:7; Exodus 25:1-9; Exodus 40:33-38; Exodus 12:35-36; John 1:14God rescued His people from Egypt, and He wanted to live right in the middle of their camp. He asked everyone whose heart was willing to bring gifts to build the tabernacle, a holy tent where He would dwell. The people brought gold, silver, cloth, wood and jewels – so much that the builders said, "The people are bringing more than enough!" and Moses had to tell them to stop. When the tabernacle was finished, God's glory filled it. We give gladly, because God gave to us first and wants to be with us.Old TestamentGenerosity
A Beautiful Gift: Mary Anoints JesusJohn 12:1-8; Mark 14:3-9Six days before the Passover, Jesus' friends in Bethany gave a dinner for Him. Martha served, and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead, sat at the table. Then Mary brought a jar of very expensive perfume worth about a year's pay. She poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her hair, and the whole house was filled with the fragrance. Judas complained that it was a waste. But Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful deed to Me." Jesus is worth our very best.New TestamentGenerosity