Sodom and Gomorrah

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INSTRUCTIONS: The approach to this week’s lesson will be a bit different. You will be given two entirely different outlines. The first outline deals with what really destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and warns of the sins of a nation. The second outline shows where Lot failed in his service to God and warns individual Christians. You may teach the lesson from either perspective or draw from both of them. 

What Really Destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah 

Introduction: The five cities of the plain were ancient cities of renown (Genesis 10:19). They had a large population, plenty of water and an excellent climate (Genesis 13:10). Yet, four of these cities were destroyed during the lifetime of Abraham (Deuteronomy 29:23). What caused the Lord to destroy these cities with fire and brimstone? (NOTE: brimstone is sulfur, a substance which not only burns, but also ignites fire – Isaiah 30:33).  

I.           THE SIN OF SODOMY 

A.   The Account in Genesis (19:1-11) 

B.   The Account in Jude (Jude 7) 

C.   God’s Condemnation of Sodomy (Genesis 18:26-27; Romans 1:20-32) 

D.   God’s Offer to Save the Sodomite (1Corinthians 6:9-11) 

II.          THE OTHER SINS OF SODOM (Ezekiel 16:48-50) 

A.   Pride (Ezekiel 16:49; Proverbs 6:16-17) 

B.   Fullness of Bread – apathy; they had no need for God (Ezekiel 16:49; Amos 6:1-8) 

C.   Abundance of Idleness (Ezekiel 16:49; Luke 17:28-29) 

III.         THE CRY OF SODOM 

A.   The Cry God Heard (Genesis 18:20-21) 

B.   The Cry of Boastfulness in Sin (Genesis 19:13) –they were not ashamed but were blatant, boisterous, brazen and shameless 

C.   The Cry of Iniquity (Isaiah 3:9) 

IV.        THE INDIFFERENCE OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN 

A.   The Chance Sodom Had for Deliverance

1. Lot was a just and righteous man (2Peter 2:6-8)

2. AND, ten righteous men would have saved Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33) 

B.   The Complete Failure of Lot to Save Sodom 

1. His sons in law laughed at him (Genesis 19:14)

2. His wife became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26)

3. Only Lot and two daughters escaped (Genesis 19:30)

4. Even Lot’s daughters lived wickedly (Genesis 19:31-32) 

Conclusion: Sodom was a wicked place. The people were guilty of the sin of sodomy and other wicked sins. They boastfully cried out their wickedness to God. Yet, in the end, they were not destroyed because of all of these sins. Sodom was destroyed because of the indifference of one righteous man. We need to wake up (Romans 13:11-14). 

 Where Lot Failed in His Life

Introduction:  Lot was not the evil man that many perceive him to be. In the scriptures, he is called a righteous and a just man (2Peter 2:6-8). Yet, Lot certainly failed. This outline shows where he failed in his life. 

I.           HE FAILED IN HIS PRIORITIES

A.   He Chose Riches Over Righteousness (Genesis 13:10-13) 

B.   He Chose Prestige Over Purity (Genesis 19:1 – “Lot sat in the gate”) 

C.   He Chose the Lesser of Evils Over the Perfect Will of God (Genesis 19:7-8 – He offered his daughters to the men of Sodom in order to protect the angels who were under his care.) 

D.   Contrast the Priorities of Abraham (Genesis 18:19) 

II.          HE FAILED IN HIS MOTIVATION 

A.   He Was Moved by What He Saw (Genesis 13:10; compare Genesis 3:6; Joshua 7:20-21; 2Samuel 11:2) 

B.   He Was Moved by the Fear of Man (Genesis 19:19,30; Proverbs 29:25) 

C.   Contrast the Motivation of Abraham (Genesis 14:21-23) 

III.         HE FAILED IN HIS RESOLUTION 

A.   He Served Without Enthusiasm (Genesis 19:1 – compare “rose up to meet them” with “he ran to meet them” Genesis 18:2) 

B.   He Hesitated in His Decisions (Genesis 19:16 – “while he lingered”) 

C.   He Constantly Changed Direction (Genesis 19:21-22 with v.30) 

D.   Contrast the Resolution of Abraham (Genesis 14:14-16) 

IV.        HE FAILED IN HIS INFLUENCE

A.   No Influence with the World (Genesis 19:9 – though he gave his life to it) 

B.   No Influence with his Family (Genesis 19:14,26) 

C.   Contrast the Influence of Abraham (Genesis 18:22-32) and Jacob (Genesis 32:28) 

V.         HE FAILED IN THE FRUIT OF HIS LIFE 

A.   His Daughters Had No Sense of Right and Wrong (Genesis 19:31-32) 

B.   His Offspring Fought Against the People of God (Genesis 19:37-38) 

C.   Contrast the Fruit of Abraham (Genesis 22:15-18; Proverbs 11:30) 

Conclusion: We should learn from the mistakes and sins of Lot and determine to avoid them in our own lives. How can you keep from making the same mistakes as Lot did?

MEMORY VERSES:

1.         Luke 17:32

2.         Genesis 19:27

3.         Genesis 19:13