FBCPC

Lesson 1 - No Turning Back

Lot's wife turns to salt

What if God didn't do what he said he'd do? It wouldn't matter if it was the
good stuff (blessings) or the bad stuff (punishment). Would you trust the
Bible then? Of course not! We'd be left guessing about everything and
doubting His word. However, from stories in the Bible, we know for
certain that God fulfills every promise he makes.

The story of Lot's wife turning to salt is a good example of both God's
mercy and his justice.

Read: Genesis 18:16-33 then Genesis 19:15-29

God wanted to destroy Sodom because it was so wicked. Abraham tries to
intercede for the town, not wanting the good to parish with the evil.
However, he couldn't find not even ten people that were righteous. Only
Lot and his family.

God promised them that he'd lead them from the city safely so they
wouldn't be destroyed with the wicked. They are instructed not to look
back. However, Lot's wife looked back at Sodom as it was being destroyed.
She turned into a pillar of salt. For her defiance, she was punished.

God exhibited his mercy for allowing Lot and his family to escape Sodom
and not be punished with the evil and unrighteous occupants of the city.
He also demonstrated that he punishes sin and disobedience by carrying
out his vows.

Activity: Complete the Mad Lib on the next page after finding a word for
each of the following -

*Word for bad
*Word for REALLY bad
*A sin
*A rule
*Something fluffy and nice
*A nice person in your group
*A necessity item
*A breakfast cereal
*Something you'd wish you had if you were on the show LOST
*A loud sound
*AN EXCLAMATION
*An electrical appliance

The town of Sodom was a (word for bad), (word for REALLY bad) town.
People there were (a sin) -ing constantly. They ignored God and broke the
most important rule. (A rule). God was fed up. Abraham pleaded with God
to spare Sodom. If God could find some good guys there, perhaps he could
rain down (something nice and fluffy) instead of fire and brimstone.

"God, if you find 50, or 40, or 30, or 20, or 10 guys half as good as (a nice
person in your group) would you please not wipe out Sodom with a big
fireball?"

God agreed. Unfortunately, God only found one good guy there. Only Lot
and his family would be spared.

They were given special instructions: Pack the (a necessity item) and the (a
breakfast cereal) , Don't forget the (something you'd wish you had if you
were on the show LOST) .

They would be led out of their hometown by angels, and then, " (a loud
sound) !" Total destruction! "(an exclamation) !"

"Whatever you do, don't turn back," Lot's family was sternly warned. But
Lot's wife didn't listen. Did she go back to turn off the (an electrical
appliance) ? Only God knows. The moment she looked back, she was
turned to a pile of salt.

God keeps his promises - the ones we want kept, and those we choose to
ignore.