Sodom and Gomorrah – Free Bible lesson for kids

This week’s lesson is taken from Genesis 18:16-19:29 and covers the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. While this is a difficult passage to teach younger children, it is important we don’t overlook the important truths that the passage teaches.

Main points:

• God is patient but will judge sin.
• We should pray for others.
• We should flee from sin and temptation.
• God is gracious to save.

Lesson Guide – Sodom and Gomorrah

Reflect on our previous lesson where Abraham and Lot separated. Share how Lot chose to go towards the city of Sodom.

Use some toys and a piece of paper to act out Lot getting closer and closer to the city. Finally put Lot in the middle of the paper. Review positional and directional words with your child as they move Lot. Explain that Lot started off going near to Sodom and then ended up right in the middle of the city.

It is important for the child to understand that Sodom was an evil place. Rather than covering the sexual depravity of Sodom, focus on that they were very wicked. Genesis 13:13 says “The people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.” Another verse which speaks of the sin of Sodom can be found in Ezekiel 16:49 “This was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were proud. They had plenty of food. They lived in great comfort. But she did not help the poor and needy.”

It teaches about being proud and not helping others in need. Concepts children will easily understand.

Explain that God calls us to run away from sin. Recap on what your child might have already learned about sin from Adam and Eve and Noah. Explain what sin is and how God must judge it.

Share how Abraham prayed and tried to bargain with God to save the city. He would have been concerned about Lot and his family. Take some time to pray for people you know. It is important to pray for others.

Set up items to remove from the table each time Abraham asks for a lower number. When you finally reach ten items, explain that God promised to save Sodom if there were ten righteous people there, but it was such a wicked city, He couldn’t even find ten righteous people.

Even though Lot and his family made bad choices and put themselves in a dangerous place, God was gracious to save them. Explain how he sent angels to rescue them from the city.

Play a game where your child faces away from you or the other children. Tell them that they must not turn around. Everyone else must then try to call them or trick them to look behind.

Share how the angels led Lot and his family out of the city and told them not to look back. Explain how when Lot’s wife looked back, she became a pillar (column) of salt (19:26). 

Read Luke 17:32-33. Jesus used Lot’s wife to remind us to leave our old life behind. Explain how God wants us to enjoy a new life with Him.

Sodom and Gomorrah – Bible story for kids

Games and Activities

Fire Ball

Blow up a red balloon. This becomes the fire ball.

Play the game like dodge-ball. Each child must avoid being hit by the balloon.

What’s the time Mr wolf?

The wolf (grown-up) stands with their back to the child.

Child asks, “What’s the time Mr wolf?”

Whatever number is given, the child must take that many steps forward.

At some point the wolf says, “Time to eat you up” and turns around to try to catch the child.

Use this game to teach about how it is safer from further away and how Lot should have stayed far from Sodom.

Half and half again

It is difficult for children to grasp big numbers. To help them understand Abraham’s prayer to God, give them some building blocks and keep halving them until only one block is left. Teach how there were many people in Sodom, but only one righteous man.

Worksheets

Sodom and Gomorrah – Coloring pages

Lot’s wife salt puppet

What you need:

• Template
• Coloring pencils / crayons
• Scissor
• Glue
• Lollipop stick
• Salt

Download the lessons for FREE

Translations