Sunday School Lesson October 31, 2021
Subject: Confidence in the Midst of Conflict
The Point: Trust God when conflict disrupts your relationships.
The Passages: Genesis 13:5-11,14-18
Study The Bible: Genesis 13:5-8
1). Conflict happens even in the best relationships.
- Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents.
- But the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they could not stay together,
- and there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. (At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land.)
- So Abram said to Lot, “Please, let’s not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives.
Lasting truths from: Genesis 13:5-8
* Tension in relationships does not always begin with sin.
* We need to work to resolve tension in relationships.
* How we handle resolving tension and conflict may prove a witness to others.
2). Place other’s needs before your own.
Genesis 13:9-11
- Isn’t the whole land before you? Separate from me; if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”
- Lot looked out and saw that the entire plain of the Jordan as far as Zoar was well watered everywhere like the Lord’s garden and the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
- So Lot chose the entire plain of the Jordan for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other.
Lasting truth from: Genesis 13:9-11
* When tension exists, we should take steps to resolve it.
* Sometimes we can resolve tension by deferring to the wishes of others.
* God sees our humble actions and will bless us for them.
3). Trust God to remain faithful to keep His promises.
Genesis 13:14-18
- After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west,
- for I will give you and your offspring forever all the land that you see.
- I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
- Get up and walk around the land, through its length and width, for I will give it to you.”
- So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord.
Lasting truth from: Genesis 13:14-18
* God remains faithful to His promises no matter what our circumstance seem to be.
* Sometimes, God’s blessings to us last beyond ourselves and into future generations.
* Wherever we go as we journey through life, we should remember to worship our God.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- Why is dealing with conflict in relationships important?
- Read again Genesis 13:9-11 and Philippians 2:3-4. Why is it often difficult to place the needs of others before our own? How does doing so often lead to peace in a relationship?
- Do you have difficulty believing God will keep certain of His promises for you? Why or why not?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”