Single lesson
Abram Rescues Lot and Meets Melchizedek
Genesis 14:1–24
In this lesson, children will follow the order of Genesis 14:1–24, see how Abram responds when Lot is taken, and notice what Abram says about God, victory and wealth.
Before you teach
Genesis 14:1–24 tells of a war between kings, the capture of Lot, Abram’s rescue mission, and two meetings after the battle. The passage names Melchizedek as priest of God Most High and records Abram’s choice not to keep the king of Sodom’s goods.
Students will be able to retell the main events of Genesis 14:1–24 in order and explain two choices Abram made after Lot was captured.
Welcome: Who is taken, and who responds?
4 minBriefly introduce the lesson theme of rescue and choices. Tell the children they will listen for who was taken, who went to help, and what happened afterwards. Explain that Lot is called Abram’s relative, and that this story includes both a battle and a blessing.
Genesis 14:12, Genesis 14:14, Genesis 14:19
Read and explain: Lot is captured and Abram goes after him
9 minRead Genesis 14:1–16 in small parts. Explain that several kings made war, and that Lot, who lived in Sodom, was taken along with goods. When Abram heard, he led 318 trained men born in his house, pursued the attackers, struck them by night, and brought back Lot, the goods, the women and the other people.
Genesis 14:2, Genesis 14:12, Genesis 14:14, Genesis 14:15, Genesis 14:16
Discuss: Melchizedek blesses Abram
6 minRead Genesis 14:17–20. Help children notice that Melchizedek is both king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He brings out bread and wine, blesses Abram, and blesses God Most High as the one who delivered Abram’s enemies into his hand. Abram then gives him a tenth of all.
Genesis 14:18, Genesis 14:19, Genesis 14:20
Make and respond: Abram refuses the goods
7 minRead Genesis 14:21–24 and compare the king of Sodom’s offer with Abram’s answer. Abram says he will not take even a thread or sandal strap from the king’s goods. He says he does not want the king of Sodom to say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ Let children talk about what Abram chose and why his words matter.
Genesis 14:21, Genesis 14:22, Genesis 14:23, Genesis 14:24
Closing: Put the account in order
4 minReview the whole passage with four short steps: kings go to war, Lot is taken, Abram rescues him, and Melchizedek blesses Abram before Abram refuses the king of Sodom’s goods. Ask children to say one thing this passage teaches about God and one choice Abram made.
Genesis 14:2, Genesis 14:12, Genesis 14:16, Genesis 14:20, Genesis 14:23
Questions to explore
Why did Abram go out with his trained men?
Look for what Abram heard and who had been taken captive, then answer from the words of the passage.
Genesis 14:12, Genesis 14:14
What does Melchizedek say God Most High has done?
Read his blessing carefully and notice the exact action he says God did for Abram.
Genesis 14:19, Genesis 14:20
Why does Abram refuse to take the goods from the king of Sodom?
Listen for Abram’s own explanation about what he does not want the king of Sodom to be able to say.
Genesis 14:22, Genesis 14:23
Make, think or respond
Story Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or textas
- Bible
- scissors
- envelopes or small piles
Try it together
- Write or draw five scenes on separate cards: kings go to war, Lot is taken, Abram rescues the captives, Melchizedek blesses Abram, and Abram refuses the goods.
- Mix the cards and let children work in pairs to place them in the correct order.
- Ask each pair to read one matching verse for each card before checking the order together.
- Invite children to choose one card and say what choice or action in that scene is important.
This activity helps children follow the sequence of Genesis 14:1–24 and connect each part of the story to the passage itself.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, reduce the sequence to three cards and supply simple picture clues while you read the verses aloud.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to add speech bubbles using words from Genesis 14:19–24 and explain why those words matter.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: ‘God Most High, thank you for your word. Please help us remember Abram rescuing Lot, Melchizedek’s blessing, and Abram’s refusal of the goods. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Genesis 14
1 In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim,
2 they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).
3 All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea).
4 They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness.
7 They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar.
8 The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim
9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five.
10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills.
11 They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way.
12 They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
13 One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram.
14 When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan.
15 He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.
17 The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High.
19 He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth.
20 Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.
21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”
22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth,
23 that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
24 I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.