Chapter 3: Abram and Lot Separate

Q1 - What does it say about Abram’s character that he offered Lot first choice of the area to move with his herds? What does Lot’s response reveal about his character?

A1 - Abram showed himself to be a peacemaker when he saw they could not all live together and suggested they separate rather than fight over the same area. He showed great generosity and unselfishness when he offered Lot his choice of where to live. He behaved much as a father would have toward Lot and obviously sought to maintain a good relationship with him.

Lot showed shrewdness in picking the best pasture for his livestock, and in the process also showed his selfishness. However, we are not privy to the entire conversation he and Abram had concerning the choice he made. There could be more to the decision than is recorded in scriptures.

Centuries later, the Apostle Peter had this to say about Lot’s character:

“… and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:7–9, NIV).

Q2 - How are we sometimes like Lot in the choices we make?

A2 - Sometimes we go for what seems outwardly appealing without thinking through the long-term ramifications of our choices.

Q3 - Read Colossians 3:1–17. What are Christians to seek and set their minds upon? What are we to put aside? What are we to put on? What should rule in our hearts?

A3 - Find this scripture in your Bible or pull it up online and read it aloud: Colossians 3:1–17

There is so much to discuss in this passage. Verse 17 (NIV) pretty much sums up how we are to live our lives: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”