Genesis 13 · Grade 5
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Read and Think
Genesis 13 shows Abram growing in faith after his failure in Egypt. He returns to the place of his altar near Bethel and calls on the Lord. Abram and Lot have become so wealthy that the land cannot support them both, and strife breaks out between their herdsmen, while the Canaanites and Perizzites look on.
Abram takes the lead in making peace. As the older relative and the one who received God's promise, he had every right to choose first. Instead he says, Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and offers Lot the choice. Abram's generosity flows from trust: God, not Abram's cleverness, will provide.
Lot lifts up his eyes and sees the Jordan plain, well watered like the garden of the Lord and like Egypt. He chooses it and pitches his tent toward Sodom, whose people are described as wicked and great sinners against the Lord. Then the Lord tells Abram to lift up his eyes, look in every direction, and walk through the land, for He will give it all to him and make his offspring like the dust of the earth. Lot chose by sight; Abram received by faith.
Show What You Know
Why does the mention of the Canaanites and Perizzites matter?
What right did Abram give up, and why?
To what two places was the Jordan plain compared?
What do we learn about Sodom in this chapter?
Compare how Lot and Abram each lifted up their eyes.
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Genesis 13 shows growing in faith after his failure in Egypt.
- Abram takes the lead in making .
- Instead he says, Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and offers the choice.
- He chooses it and pitches his toward Sodom, whose people are described as wicked and great sinners against the Lord.
Think About It
Quarrels among God's people can hurt our witness to others. How can you be a peacemaker in your family or with friends?
What is the difference between choosing by sight and living by faith? Give an example from your life.
Memory Verse
“Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.”
Genesis 13:8 (WEB)
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Prayer
Dear God, thank You for today's Bible story. Help me to . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can giving freely show your faith in God?
- When could you let go of what is fair to you so others can have peace?
- How can you choose friends and places that help your faith grow?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.