Genesis 19 is one of the most well-known and most unsettling passages in the entire Bible. Yet this is a key chapter with a key message that we need to understand. So, today in our study of God's Word, we'll look at God's judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah and how it is a message of warning for judgment on sin, but also a message of hope and salvation. Please join us as we continue our journey together through God's Word. 

DISCUSSION AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS: The following discussion questions can stand alone or be used in conjunction with the Key Chapters podcast. They can be used in a Small Group, family discussion, or for personal reflection. The idea is that the person/group/family will have read the Key Chapter and then answer the questions. Perhaps there would be time to listen to the podcast as well. 

1. Genesis 19 records God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 18:20ff, how does the Lord describe the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah and His judgment upon them? What was Abraham’s bargain for God to not destroy these cities? Did the Lord find that many righteous people?

2. What was Lot’s reaction to this visit from the angels in verse 1? Why did Lot treat them this way? Do you think Lot knew they were angels?

3. In Genesis 19:3, why do you think Lot was so persistent that these foreigners stay with him? Might it be because he knew the nature of the city in which he lived?

4. How did the people of the town respond to these men staying with Lot? What does the fact that this crowd was comprised of both “young and old” show us about why such a thorough, annihilating judgment was needed?

5. What do we make of Lot’s offer of his daughter to this crowd? How is this an example of the city’s influence on Lot’s moral compass? What warning does this give to us about being overly influenced by our own society?

6. What can we make of the fact that in Genesis 19:11, the angels struck the people with blindness but they still tried to find the doorway, even though they could not see it?

7. What can we make of the Lord’s delay of judgment on this city, where the Lord waited for Lot and his family to first get to safety? What does this show us about God’s mercy and grace?

8. Genesis 19 ends with a troubling account of Lot’s daughters and Lot himself. What does this show us about how people sometimes rationalize their own sin?

9. This chapter shows us how people in God’s covenant live differently than those who are not. How is this spiritual reality demonstrated in Lot, his family and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah?

10. This chapter also shows us what sins will not be among the kingdom people of God. Paul makes a similar point in 1st Corinthians 6:9-11. What are some of the sins we see in this chapter? How does the revulsion we feel about the sins of the chapter show us how the Lord views anyone’s sin?

11. Finally, this chapter shows us that God will condemn sin in all its forms. What does this judgment look like? What will God’s ultimate judgment look like?

The Key Chapters Bible Podcast is a daily, 15ish minute podcast that goes over the key chapters of the Bible, one per day, explaining how it fits into the overall message of God and how it relates to our lives now. Jump in today or start back in Genesis 1!

To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org.

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Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.