SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURES
- Luke 17:28-32
Sometimes the things of this life, as innocent as they may seem, trap people in sin to the extent that they lose their souls and must face the judgment of God just as Lot’s wife did. God is always faithful in giving timely warnings. There are many instances in the Bible where He warned men of impending judgment. God has also warned us in these days of the wrath that is to come upon the ungodly if they do not repent.
QUESTIONS
- Why did the Lord say the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were to be destroyed? See Genesis 18:20.
- What do the cities of our day have in common with Sodom and Gomorrah?
- When Abraham was told of the intended destruction of Sodom, what steps did he take to ensure the safety of Lot and his family (Genesis 18:23-32)? How might his actions be an example to us?
- What method did God use to get Lot and his family to leave the city?
- Why do you feel Lot and his wife lingered before leaving Sodom?
- Once Lot and his family were outside the city of Sodom, what were they told? How soon after they left the city did the fire and brimstone fall? See Luke 17:29.
- What happened to Lot’s wife? Make a parallel between this event and the results which occur when one whom God has delivered looks back to the world.
- In Luke 17:32, we read that Jesus admonished the disciples to “Remember Lot’s wife.” What do you feel were the underlying reasons for this statement?
THEME THOUGHTS
Webster’s dictionary tells us that one meaning of the word profile is, “a short, vivid biography, briefly outlining the most outstanding characteristics of the subject.” It is not difficult to go through the Bible and compile an extensive list of individuals who displayed some “outstanding characteristics” and from whom we can learn valuable lessons. Would a lesson on the dangers of refusing to obey the commands of God be profitable? Where could we find a better example to illustrate that point than in the story of Jonah—a man who spent three days in the belly of the whale because he declined to follow the instruction of the Lord? Would you like to know the secret of leading a triumphant life anointed by the Holy Spirit? Learn a lesson from the prophet Elisha—a man who performed a greater number of miracles than any other prophet except Moses. Do you see among your associates a tendency toward becoming involved in the things of this world? Looking at what happened to Lot’s wife, because she couldn’t give up the entanglements of Sodom, could prove to be a very beneficial study. In this quarter, we have chosen twelve Bible characters from whom we can learn some valuable lessons. They are not all “heroes of the faith.” In fact, some are the exact opposites! But there is something that can be learned from each of them. The final lesson in this quarter will be an overview of the preceding weeks, summing up the importance of learning from the lives of those who live on in the pages of Bible history.