Sodom & Gomorrah: God's Judgment on Society
Genesis 18 - 19
Contemporary Christianity has been described as "privately engaging but socially irrelevant." Many of us concern oursleves with only family and church to the neglect of the broader arenas of work and community - the economic, political and social fabric of our society.
GROUP DISCUSSION. In your town, how are churches demonstrating concern for the poor and the disadvantaged?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. What areas of need do you see around you, and how do you think God may want you to become involved?
So far we have seen Abraham involved only in his personal and family concerns. In this passage, however, he broadens his perspective to become involved in the problems of a neighboring city whose lifestyle is the opposite to everything he stands for. Abraham's reaction to the news of impending judgment can help us today concerning responsible Christian action in our postmodern society. Read Genesis 18.
1. If you were one of the strangers in 18:1-8, what elements of hospitality in Abraham's welcome would impress you?
2. In 18:9-15 why does Sarah react as she does to the promise of a son?
How might the Lord's response be both a rebuke and an encouragement?
3. Why does the Lord decide to tell Abraham his plans (18:16-19)?
4. In the dialogue that takes place in 18:20-33, what can you learn about Abraham's attitude toward the wicked cities and toward the Lord?
5. How would you describe the Lord's attitude toward the cities and his relationship with Abraham?
6. In what ways can we intercede with God for our city, our state and our country because of its sins?
7. How might this kind of prayer affect our attitudes and actions toward those around us?
8. Read Genesis 19:1-29. In 19:1-9 how do the actions of the inhabitants of Sodom help us see why they are under God's judgment?
9. What effects does life in Sodom seem to have had on Lot and his family (19:1-14)?
10. How is the Lord's mercy evident in his treatment of Lot and his family (19:10-22)?
11. Describe how God's judgment works out in Lot's family and in the two cities (19:23-29).
12. Living in the midst of a sinful society, what is a warning for you?
What is an encouragement?
Thank God that he reveals himself to us as he did to Abraham, saying, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Now or Later
Read Genesis 19:30-38. What are the results of Lot's earlier choices in the life of his family?
Contemporary Christianity has been described as "privately engaging but socially irrelevant." Many of us concern oursleves with only family and church to the neglect of the broader arenas of work and community - the economic, political and social fabric of our society.
GROUP DISCUSSION. In your town, how are churches demonstrating concern for the poor and the disadvantaged?
PERSONAL REFLECTION. What areas of need do you see around you, and how do you think God may want you to become involved?
So far we have seen Abraham involved only in his personal and family concerns. In this passage, however, he broadens his perspective to become involved in the problems of a neighboring city whose lifestyle is the opposite to everything he stands for. Abraham's reaction to the news of impending judgment can help us today concerning responsible Christian action in our postmodern society. Read Genesis 18.
1. If you were one of the strangers in 18:1-8, what elements of hospitality in Abraham's welcome would impress you?
2. In 18:9-15 why does Sarah react as she does to the promise of a son?
How might the Lord's response be both a rebuke and an encouragement?
3. Why does the Lord decide to tell Abraham his plans (18:16-19)?
4. In the dialogue that takes place in 18:20-33, what can you learn about Abraham's attitude toward the wicked cities and toward the Lord?
5. How would you describe the Lord's attitude toward the cities and his relationship with Abraham?
6. In what ways can we intercede with God for our city, our state and our country because of its sins?
7. How might this kind of prayer affect our attitudes and actions toward those around us?
8. Read Genesis 19:1-29. In 19:1-9 how do the actions of the inhabitants of Sodom help us see why they are under God's judgment?
9. What effects does life in Sodom seem to have had on Lot and his family (19:1-14)?
10. How is the Lord's mercy evident in his treatment of Lot and his family (19:10-22)?
11. Describe how God's judgment works out in Lot's family and in the two cities (19:23-29).
12. Living in the midst of a sinful society, what is a warning for you?
What is an encouragement?
Thank God that he reveals himself to us as he did to Abraham, saying, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Now or Later
Read Genesis 19:30-38. What are the results of Lot's earlier choices in the life of his family?
posted by Christinewjc at
6:53 PM
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Sodom & Gomorrah: God's Judgment on Society
Genesis 18 - 19
Contemporary Christianity has been described as "privately engaging but socially irrelevant." Many of us concern oursleves with only family and church to the neglect of the broader arenas of work and community - the economic, political and social fabric of our society.
GROUP DISCUSSION. In your town, how are churches demonstrating concern for the poor and the disadvantaged?
There are Thanksgiving dinners for the homeless. Food, toiletries, blankets, and clothing collections and distribution. "Ring and run" Christmas gifts left at the doors of families whose parents can't afford Christmas gifts for their children. Campus outreach and activities for abused children and teens.
PERSONAL REFLECTION. What areas of need do you see around you, and how do you think God may want you to become involved?
There is so much need. Sometimes it is difficult to choose which charities to support. Our family financial supports many ministries including our church, disabled vets, abortion alternatives, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Biola U.,Coral Ridge ministries, American Bible Society, and several ex-gay ministries; as well as Christian political organizations such as CWA, ADF, Article 8 Alliance, NARTH, WND, Judge Roy Moore & Ten Commandments case.
So far we have seen Abraham involved only in his personal and family concerns. In this passage, however, he broadens his perspective to become involved in the problems of a neighboring city whose lifestyle is the opposite to everything he stands for. Abraham's reaction to the news of impending judgment can help us today concerning responsible Christian action in our postmodern society. Read Genesis 18.
1. If you were one of the strangers in 18:1-8, what elements of hospitality in Abraham's welcome would impress you?
He took care of all their physical needs like giving them water, washing their feet, preparing food and serving it to them. Very impressive!
2. In 18:9-15 why does Sarah react as she does to the promise of a son?
She laughed because she is so old and worn out. It appears that she thought the Lord's timing was off and that she should have "had this pleasure" years ago.
How might the Lord's response be both a rebuke and an encouragement?
"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" is not only a question of encouragement, but also can be viewed as saying, "are you claiming that such a feat is too hard for the Lord to bring about?"
3. Why does the Lord decide to tell Abraham his plans (18:16-19)?
I think it was done so that Abraham would know his destiny as laid out by the Lord. This will have a great impact upon what he does next when he finds out that the Lord is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
4. In the dialogue that takes place in 18:20-33, what can you learn about Abraham's attitude toward the wicked cities and toward the Lord?
Abraham appeals to the mercy of the Lord by asking that if 50, then 40, then 30, then 20, then 10 "righteous" people could be found in Sodom, would the Lord spare the city.
5. How would you describe the Lord's attitude toward the cities and his relationship with Abraham?
Although the outcry of sin was very grievous, the Lord agreed with Abraham for each appeal that if 50, or 40, or 30, or 20, or 10 "righteous" people were found, in his mercy, he would spare the city. It is interesting to note that Abraham had to lessen the amount of "righteous" people to be found there several times because obviously there weren't many "righteous" people there! God was patient with Abraham's individual requests and allowed Abraham to intercede for the people's sakes. But this was to no avail for the righteous could not be found there. Not even 10!
6. In what ways can we intercede with God for our city, our state and our country because of its sins?
We can pray and plead for God's mercy on our city, our state, and our country despite the obvious sins of the people there. However, God's will WILL be done. We can intercede just so far and continue to pray that people will turn from their wicked ways and turn towards the Lord.
7. How might this kind of prayer affect our attitudes and actions toward those around us?
"There but for the grace of God go I" could apply. Asking for mercy and grace is admirable, but those who don't repent cannot be forgiven and given that mercy and grace.
8. Read Genesis 19:1-29. In 19:1-9 how do the actions of the inhabitants of Sodom help us see why they are under God's judgment?
They wanted to have homosexual sex with them. They even tried to break down the door to get at the visitors. They rejected Lot's offer of his two daughters because they lusted for the male visitors only. The book of Leviticus in the OT and the book of Romans in the NT show that homosexuality was a grievous, abominiable sin.
9. What effects does life in Sodom seem to have had on Lot and his family (19:1-14)?
They obviously tolerated the rampant sin going on in the city. When the angel visitors told Lot and his family to get out, some thought they were joking that the entire city was about to be destroyed. They had become complacent in this city of sin.
10. How is the Lord's mercy evident in his treatment of Lot and his family (19:10-22)?
The angels continued to urge Lot and his family members to leave. Finally, they had to physically grab their hands and drag them out of the city! The Lord showed much mercy for them. Lot pleaded to go to the city of Zoar and he was allowed to flee there.
11. Describe how God's judgment works out in Lot's family and in the two cities (19:23-29).
The Lord rained down burning sulfur on the cities and they were completely destroyed with everyone in them. Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Got remembered Abraham and spared his nephew, Lot. The Lord brought Lot out of the catastrophe.
12. Living in the midst of a sinful society, what is a warning for you?
Don't get complacent and tolerate such a society! We are to be salt and light in this age of corruption. We are to do all we can spiritually, socially, and politically to advance Christian morals, ethics, and values in our society or else we may lose our freedom of religion, biblical moral speech, and freedom of association to radical secular humanist activists who want to turn our culture into a cesspool of filth similar to Sodom and Gomorrah.
What is an encouragement?
That God will deliver us from it all and protect us from the negative influences in our culture as long as we adhere to Jesus and His Word.
Thank God that he reveals himself to us as he did to Abraham, saying, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"
Now or Later
Read Genesis 19:30-38. What are the results of Lot's earlier choices in the life of his family?
Because of the immoral influences of living in Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot and his daughters participated in unlawful sexual acts with each other (incest). The children that the daughters gave birth to resulted in two peoples; the Moabites and the Ammonites (Jordan Arabs) who are enemies of Israel to this day.
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