In this Genesis 14 Sunday school lesson, children learn that God takes care of His people even when things go wrong, and that Abram chose to honor God rather than keep the reward for himself. This lesson works well for kids ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of His people, so we can trust Him and be generous with others. Abram rescued his family and gave God the credit instead of taking all the treasure.
Memory Verse
Genesis 14:20
And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, like they are giving a gift. Then have them raise their arms high over their heads as they say the words “God Most High” together. Repeat it three times until everyone can say it with the motions.
The Story: Genesis 14 for Kids
A long time ago, there was a man named Abram who loved God. Near Abram lived his nephew Lot, who lived in a city called Sodom. Some kings were fighting each other in the land, and one group of kings came and captured the people of Sodom. They took the food, the gold, and the people, including Lot. Lot was now a prisoner, and he was very scared.
Someone who had escaped ran to Abram and told him what had happened. Abram did not stay home and worry. He gathered 318 of his trained men who had been born in his own house, and he went after the enemy kings. Abram was brave, but he also trusted that God was with him.
Abram and his men went out at night and surprised the enemy army. They chased them far away until the kings had to run for their lives. Abram brought back all the stolen goods, and he brought back Lot, Lot’s family, and all the other people who had been taken. Everyone was safe again, and everyone was happy.
When Abram came home, a king named Melchizedek met him with bread and wine. Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High, and he spoke a blessing over Abram. He said that God had helped Abram defeat his enemies. Abram thanked God by giving Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had won.
Then the king of Sodom came to Abram and said, “You can keep the goods. Just give me back my people.” Abram said no to the gold. He told the king that he wanted God to be the one who got the credit, not himself. Abram only asked that his men and his friends who helped him should get their share.
Read It Together
Genesis 14:13
One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner; and they were allies of Abram.
(WEB)
Point out that Abram was not alone when he heard the bad news. He had family and friends who were ready to help him. Ask the children who they would go to for help if something scary happened to them.
Genesis 14:14
When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.
(WEB)
Show the children that Abram acted quickly and bravely when his nephew needed him. Talk about how we can care for people who are in trouble, even when it is hard or inconvenient for us.
Genesis 14:22-23
22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to the LORD, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
(WEB)
Point out how Abram refused the king’s gold because he wanted God to be the one who made him rich. Explain that Abram trusted God to take care of him, so he did not need to take anything from people who did not honor God.
Talk About It
- What did Abram do when he heard that his nephew Lot was captured?
- How do you think Lot felt when he was taken away, and how do you think he felt when Abram came to rescue him?
- Why do you think Melchizedek blessed Abram and gave him bread and wine?
- What did Abram say to the king of Sodom when the king offered him gold, and why did he say it?
- When has someone helped you when you needed it, and how did that make you feel?
Activity Ideas
Thank You Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a heart on the paper and cut it out. Ask them to draw or write one thing they are thankful to God for, and then display the hearts on the wall as a reminder that God takes care of His people.
Rescue Run Game
You will need a few soft toys or pillows and a open space. Set up two spots on opposite sides of the room, one for the enemy kings and one for the captives. Have the children act out Abram rescuing the captives by running from one side to the other and bringing a toy back safely. Cheer loudly for each rescue.
Blessing Card to Take Home
You will need index cards, a pen, and a marker. Write Genesis 14:20 on one side of each card and let the children decorate the other side. Encourage them to share their card with someone at home and tell them one way God has helped them this week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God sovereignly works through human courage and faithfulness. Abram acts decisively to rescue Lot, yet he gives all credit for the victory to God Most High. His refusal of the king of Sodom’s offer reflects a heart that finds its security in God rather than in material gain.
Avoid overstating to children that obeying God always leads to earthly rewards or that bad things will never happen to those who trust Him. Abram faced real danger and conflict, and the story is about God’s faithfulness in the midst of hard circumstances rather than a promise of instant comfort or wealth.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for taking care of us and for being with us when we are scared. Help us to be brave like Abram and to help people who need us. Help us to give You the credit for all good things. Amen.
