GOODNESS - Champions by the Fruit of the SpiritSample

Goodness vs Apathy

Bible story: Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 18:16-33

Theme Verse: Job 6:14

This week, our match fight is goodness versus apathy. Goodness is often considered moral excellence or virtue. However, true goodness includes showing a concern for others. This is where apathy comes in and tries to block our goodness. Apathy is an absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. It is a lack of interest or concern for others.

The Bible says that one day, the Lord himself appeared to Abraham. He was out by a tree when he saw three men standing nearby. There were two angels, and the third was the Lord himself. (19:1, 18:1,13,17,20,26,33) After he fed them and they gave special promises to Abraham, they decided to share their plans with him. The sin within two cities had become so terrible that the Lord had decided to come down from heaven and destroy these cities, called Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham spoke up saying, "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the city?" It is wonderful how Abraham shows compassion and concern for others. Apathy would have stood there, maybe sad for the city being destroyed, but not willing to do anything about it. Apathy would say, "It is not my problem." He might have said, "Good thing I don’t live there." However, Abraham shows goodness by actually going to the Lord, asking Him to spare the cities if there are 50 righteous people.

The Lord and Abraham proceed to have a discussion back and forth, where Abraham is bolder and bolder each time. He first asks if the Lord will spare the city for 50 people, but then he continually shrinks the number. Abraham follows by asking God for mercy if there are only 40 righteous people. Then he asks for only 30. Abraham continues to be bold and asks if God will spare the cities for only 20 righteous people. Finally, Abraham questions God, "What if only ten can be found there?" God agrees to the constant questions and says He will not destroy the cities if there are 10 righteous people. They finish speaking, and Abraham returns home. Sadly, there were not 10 righteous people, and so the Lord decided to destroy the cities anyway.

Abraham had some family living in Sodom: Lot and his family. The angels of the Lord went to Lot's home and helped them escape. Then the Lord sent fire and destroyed the cities and that whole area. Abraham put his own life at risk in order to save the lives of others. He fought apathy to have a good heart; he was a person that cared about others. Can you fight apathy in your life and care about the well-being of those around you?

Questions:

1. What would you do if the Lord himself showed up at your house for a visit?

2. What apathy is in your neighborhood? Do people say, "It is not my problem?"

3. Are angels real? Is there an angel in our class right now?

Life Application:

Pray and ask God to increase passion in your heart this week. Look for something you can do for others to increase your passion for others. Visit a ministry and learn about what they are doing, help out in a shelter that feeds others, or watch videos about needs around the world. Participate where you can.