Genesis 13:1-18 (NKJV)

[1] Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. [2] Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. [3] And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, [4] to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

[5] Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. [6] Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. [7] And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. And the Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.

[8] So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. [9] Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

[10] And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. [11] Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. [12] Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. [13] But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

[14] And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift up your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; [15] for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. [16] And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. [17] Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” [18] Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

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🎯 Warm-Up Question

When you sense tension growing (at home, work, or school), what’s one simple step you take to keep the peace?

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🔍 Exploring the Passage

1. According to verses 6-7, what was the specific problem that Abram and Lot were facing?
2. What solution did Abram propose in verses 8-9? Who did he let choose first?
3. Based on verse 10, what did Lot see that made him choose the plain of Jordan? After Lot left, what did God promise to Abram in verses 14-17?

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💬 Discussion Questions

1. What does Abram’s offer (letting Lot choose first) reveal about trusting God rather than fighting for advantage? Where might Jesus be inviting you to that same posture this week?
2. Lot chose by sight—what looked “well watered” (v. 10). How can choosing by appearance alone lead us closer to temptation (v. 13)? What helps you choose by faith instead?
3. God reaffirmed His promise after Abram chose peace (vv. 14–17). How does this encourage you to believe that God sees, provides, and keeps His word—and to respond to Jesus with trust today?

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🗝 Main Takeaway

When conflict rises, God calls us to peacemaking grounded in faith. Abram yielded his rights, trusted God’s provision, and God confirmed His promises. Choosing peace over pride, faith over sight, and worship over worry positions us to experience God’s faithful care—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the true Peacemaker who invites us to follow Him in trust and obedience.

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📘 Commentary

• “Abram was very rich” – God had already begun blessing Abram abundantly, yet Abram’s wealth didn’t make him selfish. True prosperity includes the wisdom to hold our blessings with open hands, trusting God for continued provision.

• “Let there be no strife between you and me, for we are brethren” – Abram prioritized relationship over rights. In our conflicts today, this principle challenges us to ask: “What matters more—being right or being reconciled?”

• “Is not the whole land before you?” – Abram’s generous offer revealed his faith that God’s promises were bigger than any piece of real estate. When we trust God’s sovereignty, we can afford to be generous because we know He controls the outcome.

• “Lot lifted his eyes and saw” – Lot made his choice based on what looked good to human eyes, while Abram waited for God’s direction. This contrast teaches us that what appears best from our limited perspective may not align with God’s perfect plan.

• “The men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked” – The Bible’s honest recording of moral conditions shows Scripture’s reliability as a historical document. Lot’s choice based on appearances led him toward spiritual danger, warning us about making decisions without seeking God’s wisdom.

• “The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated” – God’s timing is significant—He spoke immediately after Abram’s sacrifice. This demonstrates that God is actively involved in our lives and responds to acts of faith and generosity.

• “I give to you and your descendants forever” – God’s promises to Abram were unconditional and eternal, ultimately fulfilled in Christ. This shows Scripture’s prophetic reliability and God’s faithfulness across generations, encouraging us to trust His promises for our lives today.

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Tagalog

Ang Pusong Mapagbigay

Genesis 13:1-18

[1] Umalis si Abram sa Egypt, kasama ang asawa niya, lahat ng ari-arian niya, at si Lot, papunta sa South (Negev). [2]Sobrang yaman ni Abram—marami siyang hayop, pilak, at ginto. [3] Nagpatuloy siya sa paglalakbay mula sa South hanggang sa Bethel, sa lugar kung saan unang itinayo ang tent niya, sa pagitan ng Bethel at Ai, [4] doon sa altar na ginawa niya dati. At doon, nanalangin si Abram sa Panginoon.

[5] Si Lot, na kasama ni Abram, ay may sarili ring mga kawan ng hayop at mga tent. [6] Dahil dito, hindi na sila kasya sa iisang lugar para manirahan nang magkasama, dahil sobrang dami na ng kanilang ari-arian. [7] At nagkaroon ng alitan o away sa pagitan ng mga pastol ni Abram at mga pastol ni Lot. (Nakatira rin sa lugar na iyon noon ang mga Cananeo at Perizeo.)

[8] Kaya sinabi ni Abram kay Lot, “Pakiusap, ‘wag na tayong mag-away, o ang mga pastol natin; dahil magkamag-anak tayo. [9] Hindi ba’t malawak ang buong lupain? Maghiwalay na lang tayo. Kung sa kaliwa ka, sa kanan ako. Kung sa kanan ka, sa kaliwa naman ako.”

[10] Tumingin si Lot at nakita niya ang buong kapatagan ng Jordan, na laging may tubig at mataba ang lupa (bago pa sirain ng Panginoon ang Sodom at Gomorrah). Ito ay parang hardin ng Panginoon, parang lupain ng Egypt papuntang Zoar. [11] Kaya pinili ni Lot para sa sarili niya ang buong kapatagan ng Jordan, at naglakbay siya pa-silangan. At doon sila naghiwalay. [12] Nanirahan si Abram sa lupain ng Canaan, habang si Lot ay nanirahan sa mga siyudad sa kapatagan at itinayo ang kanyang tent malapit sa Sodom. [13] Pero ang mga taga-Sodom ay sobrang sama at makasalanan sa paningin ng Panginoon.

[14] At sinabi ng Panginoon kay Abram, pagkaalis ni Lot: “Tumingin ka ngayon mula sa lugar kung nasaan ka—sa north, south, east, at west; [15] dahil lahat ng lupaing nakikita mo ay ibibigay ko sa’yo at sa iyong mga lahi magpakailanman. [16] Gagawin kong parang alikabok sa dami ang iyong lahi; na kung mabibilang ng tao ang alikabok, mabibilang din ang iyong lahi. [17] Tumayo ka, libutin mo ang haba at lapad ng lupain, dahil ibinibigay ko ‘yan sa’yo.” [18] Kaya inilipat ni Abram ang kanyang tent, at nanirahan malapit sa malalaking puno ng Mamre sa Hebron, at doon ay gumawa siya ng altar para sa Panginoon.

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🎯 Warm-Up Question

Kapag nararamdaman mong may tensyon (sa bahay, trabaho, o eskwela), ano ang isang simpleng ginagawa mo para mapanatili ang kapayapaan?

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🔍 Exploring the Passage

1. Ayon sa verses 6-7, ano ang specific na problema na kinakaharap nina Abram at Lot?
2. Anong solusyon ang inalok ni Abram sa verses 8-9? Sino ang hinayaan niyang unang pumili?
3. Base sa verse 10, ano ang nakita ni Lot kaya pinili niya ang kapatagan ng Jordan? Pagkaalis ni Lot, ano naman ang ipinangako ng Diyos kay Abram sa verses 14-17?

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💬 Discussion Questions

1. Ano’ng ipinapakita ng alok ni Abram (na pinauna si Lot pumili) tungkol sa pagtitiwala sa Diyos kaysa pakikipag-agawan sa advantage? Saan ka inaanyayahan ni Jesus sa gano’ng posture ngayong linggo?
2. Pumili si Lot base sa nakita—mukhang “well-watered” (v.10). Paano tayo pwedeng mailapit sa tukso kung panlabas na itsura lang ang basehan (v.13)? Ano ang nakakatulong sa’yo para pumili by faith, hindi lang by sight?
3. Inulit ng Diyos ang Kanyang pangako matapos piliin ni Abram ang kapayapaan (vv.14–17). Paano ka nito hinihikayat na maniwala na nakikita ka ng Diyos, Siya’y naglalaan, at tinutupad Niya ang Kanyang salita—at tumugon kay Jesus sa tiwala ngayon?

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🗝 Main Takeaway

Kapag may conflict, tinatawag tayo ng Diyos sa peacemaking na nakaugat sa pananampalataya. Binitawan ni Abram ang “karapatan,” nagtiwala sa probisyon ng Diyos, at kinumpirma ng Diyos ang Kanyang mga pangako. Ang pagpili ng peace kaysa pride, faith kaysa sight, at worship kaysa worry ang maglalagay sa atin sa posisyon para maranasan ang tapat na pag-aalaga ng Diyos—na lubos na natutupad kay Jesus, ang tunay na Peacemaker na inaanyayahan tayong sumunod sa Kanya nang may tiwala at pagsunod.

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📘 Commentary

1. “Mayamang-mayaman si Abram” — Pinagpapala na siya ng Diyos, pero hindi siya naging sakim. Ang totoong prosperity ay marunong maghawak ng biyaya nang bukas-palad, nagtitiwala na magpapatuloy ang Diyos sa paglalaan.
2. “Huwag nang magkaroon ng alitan… sapagkat tayo’y magkapatid” — Inuna ni Abram ang relationship kaysa rights. Sa conflicts natin ngayon, tanong: mas mahalaga ba ang “tama ako” o “maibalik ang ayos ng samahan”?
3. “Buong lupain ay nasa harap mo” — Ipinakita ng alok ni Abram ang faith niya na mas malaki ang pangako ng Diyos kaysa kahit anong lote. Kapag nagtitiwala tayo sa sovereignty ng Diyos, kaya nating maging generous dahil alam nating Siya ang may hawak ng resulta.
4. “Tumingin si Lot at nakita” — Pumili si Lot base sa human appearance; si Abram naman naghihintay sa direction ng Diyos. Paalala: puwedeng maganda sa tingin pero hindi ayon sa plano ng Diyos.
5. “Ang mga tao sa Sodom ay lubhang masasama” — Tapat ang Biblia sa paglalarawan ng moral na kalagayan; pinili ni Lot ang mukhang maganda pero malapit sa panganib. Warning ito laban sa desisyong walang hinging karunungan sa Diyos.
6. “Nang makahiwalay na si Lot, nagsalita ang Panginoon” — Timing ni God ay mahalaga: agad Siyang nagsalita matapos ang sakripisyo ni Abram. Ipinapakita nitong aktibo ang Diyos at tumutugon sa faith at generosity.
7. “Ibinibigay ko sa iyo at sa iyong lahi magpakailanman” — Walang kondisyon at pang-habambuhay ang pangako, na sa huli’y natutupad kay Cristo. Pinapakita nito ang prophetic reliability ng Kasulatan at katapatan ng Diyos sa bawat salinlahi—kaya puwede tayong kumapit sa Kanyang mga pangako ngayon.