In this lesson, children learn that God rescued Lot and his family from the destruction of Sodom because God remembers the people who trust Him. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God keeps His promises and rescues His people, even when the world around them is full of wrong choices.
Memory Verse
Genesis 19:16
But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and his two daughters’ hands, the LORD being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city.
(WEB)
Have the children hold both hands out in front of them, then slowly pull them toward their chest, as if the angels are gently holding them. Say the verse together with each pull, then ask the children to show you how the angels took Lot by the hand.
The Story: Genesis 19 for Kids
Two angels came to the city of Sodom in the evening. Lot was sitting at the gate of the city when he saw them. He got up, bowed low to the ground, and invited them into his house. He said, “Please come in, rest, and wash your feet.” He made them a meal, and they ate together.
Before bedtime, the men of the city gathered outside Lot’s house. They were very wicked, and they wanted to hurt the visitors. They shouted for Lot to bring the men out. Lot went outside to talk to them and begged them, “Please, my brothers, do not do such a wicked thing.” But the crowd would not listen, and they pushed hard against the door.
The angels pulled Lot back inside and shut the door. Then they made the crowd outside unable to find the door, so the men became confused. The angels told Lot that God was going to destroy the city because the wickedness there had grown so great. They said, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters and leave now!”
Lot still hesitated, so the angels took his hand, his wife’s hand, and his daughters’ hands, and led them out of the city. The angels said, “Escape for your life! Do not look back.” Lot asked for a small city nearby to be a place to run to, and the angels agreed to spare it. Lot reached the little city just as the sun was rising.
Then God sent fire and sulfur down from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife looked back at the city, and she became a pillar of salt. The next morning, Abraham looked toward the cities and saw smoke rising like a furnace. God had remembered Abraham and had rescued Lot.
Read It Together
Genesis 19:1-3
1 The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth, 2 and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way.” They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.” 3 He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
(WEB)
Point out how Lot welcomed the visitors warmly and gave them a good meal. Ask the children what it looks like to be kind to strangers, and remind them that Lot showed kindness even when those around him did not.
Genesis 19:15-17
15 When the morning came, then the angels hurried Lot, saying, “Get up! Take your wife, and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the iniquity of the city.” 16 But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and his two daughters’ hands, the LORD being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city. 17 It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be consumed!”
(WEB)
Show the children that the angels had to hurry Lot because he was slow to leave. Explain that God’s rescue was real, and that obeying quickly when God calls us is how we receive His protection.
Genesis 19:29
When God destroyed the cities of the plain, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the middle of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.
(WEB)
Point out that God remembered Abraham and rescued Lot, even though Lot had lived among wicked people. Tell the children that God remembers His people and never forgets those who trust Him.
Talk About It
- What did Lot do when the two visitors came to his house?
- Why do you think the angels had to take Lot by the hand to lead him out?
- What did the angels tell Lot and his family not to do as they ran away?
- How did God show that He remembered Abraham and Lot?
- What is one way you can trust God when you feel afraid or unsure?
Activity Ideas
Angel Escape Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw two angels leading a family out of a city, with the city shown behind them. Encourage them to draw the family facing forward, not looking back, and talk about why the angels told them not to look behind.
Hurry Up Rescue Game
Have the children stand in a line at one side of the room, pretending to be the city. Choose two children to be angels and have them walk quickly to gently take the hand of a “Lot” child and lead him to the far side of the room. Each time, call out “Do not look back!” and let the children practice running without turning around.
Take-Home Rescue Card
You will need cardstock or thick paper, a marker, and tape or string. Write “God rescues those who trust Him” on the card and let the child decorate it with a simple angel or family picture. Tell the children to tape or tie it to their bedroom door or to a backpack, so they can remember God’s faithful care during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God is holy and that He judges sin, but it also shows His mercy toward people who trust Him. Lot was rescued not because he was perfect, but because God was merciful to him, and the story reminds us that God’s grace is greater than our failures. The chapter also shows the seriousness of wickedness and the danger of living in sin.
With children, avoid going into detail about the sinful acts described in the chapter, especially the later events involving Lot’s daughters. Keep the focus on God’s rescue, the obedience that the angels asked for, and the faithfulness of God. Save any deeper questions for older students or a parent conversation.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for rescuing Lot and his family when they were in danger. Help us to trust You and to obey You quickly when You call us. Thank You that You remember us and keep Your promises every day. Amen.
