Selfish Desire

Teacher’s Note: For the Hook section, you will need to have an empty trash can and the “Your Life” paper. An 8 ½” by 11” paper version of this sign has been provided for you at the end of this lesson. Simply print the sign and have it ready for use.

In addition to this sign, you will also need to print a single copy of The Arrow Handout to use during the lesson and one copy to give to every person in attendance. Five different versions of the handout have been produced in five different versions of Scripture: NKJV, KJV, NIV, ESV, and NASB. These are available at the end of the lesson. Simply choose your preferred version and print as many copies as you need.

HOOK

Does anyone know what U.S. city is also known as “Sin City”? [Allow for a few responses. Answer: “Las Vegas.”] That’s right, the correct answer is Las Vegas, Nevada. While the origin of the nickname is debated, the reference makes it clear that this city is known for sinful behavior.

One of the largest music festivals in Las Vegas that holds multiple party events throughout the year says the following on their website.

Teacher’s Note: Due to the length, the following content has been placed onto five individual PowerPoint slides. As you read the quote, show the appropriate slide at the appropriate time so the students can read the quote as you read it to them.

[Show the first part of the quote.]

“[Las Vegas] is still Sin City—and we don’t see that fact changing anytime soon. It wasn’t until the 1980s that Las Vegas fully morphed into the vibrant landscape it is today.”

[Show the second part of the quote.]

“With giant resorts, hotels, casinos, shopping malls, and sports facilities bedazzling the famous Strip, Sin City became a true gangsta’s paradise.”

[Show the third part of the quote.]

“It may have cleaned up its act since its thriving prostitution days, but sinful trouble is there for those who seek it.”

[Show the fourth part of the quote.]

“You know, like overspending at the blackjack tables, getting drunk at the club, or lounging at the local strip clubs.”

[Show the fifth part of the quote.]

“Home to the world’s hottest party spots, gambling havens, fashionistas’ sanctuaries, Instagrammer’s backdrops, and incredible festivals for every occasion, Sin City won’t ever let you down when you’re looking to be entertained.”

Wow! There is no shame and no denying that Las Vegas is Sin City.

Each year, millions of people flock to Las Vegas to escape their mundane everyday lives and live out their selfish desires. Some that visit live by the well-known motto, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

Raise your hands if you have heard that phrase before. [Allow students to raise their hands.]

Whether someone uses that phrase in Vegas or not, the idea behind it is that they can throw their life away on selfish desires and act like nothing happened. But is that actually true? Can someone just throw their life away for their selfish desires and forget it?

Well, let’s pretend this piece of paper is your life. [Grab the piece of paper with the words “Your Life” on it and show it to the students.]

If you waste your life on selfish desires, then it might look something like this. [Crumble the piece of paper into a ball, then throw it in the trash can.] Okay, so what? You can just grab the piece of paper, unravel it, and make it as good as new, right? [Unravel the piece of paper and try to smooth it out.] Okay, maybe not. The wrinkles are still there, and no matter how hard you try, the paper is bent toward its crumbled-up position; the wrinkles are never going away.

In a similar way, we are all “bent” toward selfish desires, and our choices to give in to those desires have real consequences. If you are a Christian, you cannot lose your salvation, but continually giving in to those selfish desires will only further whet your appetite for sin.

This is why around eighty percent of the visitors to Vegas each year are returning guests. The entertainment in Vegas is so addicting: strip clubs, gambling, drinking, smoking, bright lights, and loud music. At some level, all those sinful actions appeal to our selfish desires to do something that feels good for ourselves.

All of us have experienced the longing for selfish desires and the consequences of giving in to those desires. You don’t have to go to Vegas to do that. In fact, you can do it right here at church.

You may not be smoking, gambling, drinking, or sitting at a strip club here at church, but just because you are not doing those things does not mean your heart is not longing for selfish desires. And as we will see today, desire is a dangerous first step in the path towards sin and death (James 1:14-15).

As some of you know, we are in the final lesson of a four-part series called [Show the PowerPoint slide with the module title.] Wicked: Don’t Waste Your Life. We are learning about four different women in the Bible who lived selfish, wicked lives.

In this series we are learning that a life given over to wickedness is a wasted life, and that we all have the capability of giving into wicked ways. The goal of this series is to learn from the mistakes of others, so we don’t repeat those mistakes.

● In the first lesson of this series, we learned to avoid selfish ambition through the life of a wicked woman named Jezebel.

● In the second lesson, we learned to avoid selfish gain through the life of a wicked woman by the name of Delilah.

● In the third lesson, we learned to avoid selfish pleasure through the life of another wicked woman known only as Potiphar’s wife.

● Today’s lesson is focused on the wickedness of selfish desire. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the lesson title.]

The fourth and final woman we are looking at today is only known as Lot’s wife. She lived in a region that contained the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities could’ve had the nickname “Twin Sin Cities,” and her desire to go back there cost her everything. Before we look at her selfish desires, let’s first look at why these cities were so appealing to her. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the first point of the outline.]

LESSON CONTENT

I. The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-11; Jude 1:6-7)

How many of you have heard of Sodom and Gomorrah before? [Allow students to raise their hands.] These two cities have continued to gain attention, even from those outside of the Christian faith. The reason is because Scripture tells us that God rained down fire and brimstone (sulfur) on Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25). They were utterly destroyed.

The fact that they were destroyed is not what is controversial, but why they were destroyed has caused much debate. For example, some say it was because of their homosexual behaviors, while others say it was because of their lack of hospitality. Let’s read a few passages, both in the Old and New Testaments, to find out what was going on. We will begin by reading Genesis 19:1-11. Just a warning: it’s going to get weird really quickly. [Read Genesis 19:1-11

Genesis 19:1–11 ESV

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.

There is so much vile wickedness in that passage; we will just sum it up by saying that the people were wicked.

Now that we have seen the wickedness of the city, who is willing to read Jude 6-7? [Choose a volunteer and allow time for Jude 6-7

Jude 6–7 ESV

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

In each of these passages, we get insight as to why these cities were destroyed. While some like to narrow in and say the only reason was because of homosexuality or only because of inhospitality, it goes beyond that. The men and women lived wicked lives of selfish desire.

They did not look to God; they looked to sin as their priority. As we continue to look at Scripture, we will see that Lot’s wife did not look to God but looked back as she and her family left Sodom. This backward glance revealed her selfish desire for the things of Sodom and ultimately cost her her life.

I’ve just been told about something pretty interesting. Now we all know that we are coming up on Halloween right. For some Christians Halloween has been called the Devil’s birthday, for others it’s been called the high holy day for satan. Still others are like well cmon it’s just dressing up as long as you dont do anything satanic and demonic its fine to ask for candy as a kid.

Well recently I’ve been told and I looked it up myself, theres a video online about an ex-satanic priest, who is now a christian and he rails on halloween as basically allowing our kids to partake in their high holy day. And doing a little more searching because of what Mr federhofer told me this is the description of Halloween on the church on a prominent satanic church website

We see this holiday as the night when the mundane folk try to reach down inside and touch the “darkness” which for Satanists is a daily mode of existence. Particularly in the United States, Halloween is a time for celebr-ating monster films, wearing costumes of a macabre nature, and evoking the thrill of “fun fear.” Children (of all ages) can indulge their fantasies by donning costumes that allow for intense role-playing and the release of their “demonic cores,” the parts of their personalities often hidden from their friends, co-workers and families.

So if you notice what it says where all ages can indulge their fantasies. Think about kids… they spend the night getting candy from all the houses, and they give in to their selfish desire of eating all that candy, (they got it so they have to eat it right? they cant let it go to waste… but what about adults what do they indulge in? It’s the night where teens or adults year olds can dress as provocatively as they can and noone will tell them anything because it’s just a costume right? It’s a night meant for people to indulge their fantasies. Now that really put Halloween into perspective for me because of the way that I used to think about it. I wont tell you what my prior stance was but I will tell you that this has really brought a new mindset.

When it comes to our own lives, it is important for us to focus on God’s will for our lives. So, to make it memorable, we will say it this way. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the Sticky Statement.] Look to Him instead of sin.

Stop indulging in your selfish desires!

So, now that we have seen the general overview of the sin of the cities, let’s narrow it down to… [Show the PowerPoint slide with the second point of the outline and read it to the students.]

II. The Wickedness of Lot’s Wife (Genesis 19:14-17, 23-26)

Let’s turn to Genesis 19 as we read about the infamous wife of Lot and her unusual death. Let’s start in verse 26 and work backwards. We’ll read about her death and then the circumstances behind her fateful decision to look back. [Read Genesis 19:26.]

She was turned into a pillar of what? [Allow students to respond with “salt.”] Believe it or not, there is currently a pillar of salt on Mount Sodom that is known by locals as Lot’s Wife. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the picture of a pillar of salt.] While thatpillar of salt is not actually Lot’s wife, the real pillar of salt that she turned into served as a physical reminder of what happens to those who disobey God. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the next subpoint of the outline and read it to the students.]

a. She looked back instead of obeying God. (Genesis 19:14-17)

Go back a little in the same chapter and look at verses 14-17. [Read Genesis 19:14-17

Genesis 19:14–17 ESV

So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting. As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.”

There was about to be fire, and it was not a drill. Lot’s family had a hard time believing destruction was about to come, and so they even laughed at Lot as he shared the news. In God’s mercy, He allowed Lot and his family to escape as they eventually made their way away from Sodom. They were given clear instructions from the angels, which were ultimately from God: Don’t look back!

Teacher’s Note: Grab the trash can and be ready to walk around with it as you play the following game. The purpose is to tell the students not to look at the trash can, and yet see how many of them do not follow that simple rule. Play the game for 15-30 seconds.

To help us understand in a small way what she was dealing with, we’re going to play a quick game of Do Not Look at This! All you have to do is not look at the trash can, and you win a million points. If you look at it, then you lose a million points. It’s that simple.

Here we go. Are you ready? [Walk around with the trash can.] Do not look at this trash can! Don’t do it! Look somewhere else! Come on, a million points are on the line! You can do it! [Place the trash can back on the ground.] Okay, nice job! We are done playing that game.

● Be honest, how many of you looked at the trash can? [Allow students to raise their hands.] Thanks for your honesty, but unfortunately, you lose a million points.

● How many struggled not to look at the trash can? [Allow students to raise their hands.]

● Did anyone close their eyes so you couldn’t look even if you wanted to? [Allow students to raise their hands.]

For those that did look, it just goes to show that many times, when we are told not to do something, our selfish desires tempt us to be rebellious and do the opposite. You had one simple rule to follow, just like Lot’s wife, but instead of losing a million points, she lost her life.

What is interesting is that the Bible tells us that shortly after this incident with Lot’s wife, Abraham looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, but he did not turn into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:28).

So, why was Lot’s wife punished so severely? Was it just about her outward actions, or was something else going on?

While it’s true that she didn’t obey God, her disobedience was more than a quick glance with her eyes. Her disobedience involved her heart. The word “look” in verse 25 means to “long for” or “desire.” Both Abraham and Lot’s wife looked at Sodom and Gomorrah, but they looked in different ways.

Lot’s wife was like a raccoon, licking its lips while looking at a pile of trash. She wanted to go back and be a part of the wickedness that once was part of her everyday life. She knew that being obedient to God meant giving up the selfish desires of her heart.

The result was missing out on a promise of provision from God. Her life serves as a reminder for us to look to Him instead of sin. God held up His end, but she held onto her sin. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the next subpoint of the outline and read it to the students.]

b. She held onto sin instead of holding on to God’s promise. (Genesis 19:18-26)

Let’s pick up where we left off and continue reading with verses 18-26. [Read Genesis 19:18-26

Genesis 19:18–26 ESV

And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

There was a clear path to safety for Lot’s wife. All she had to do was escape to the mountains, where fire and brimstone would not pour down.

God made a promise of provision for them, as the angels would lead them. Lot argued against going to the mountains, so God, in His mercy, allowed Lot and his family to stay at Zoar. They were promised a future that did not include being swallowed up in fire and brimstone.

If Lot’s wife held onto God’s promise, then she would’ve continued to live. As we saw earlier and read again, she longed to be in the city of sin.

But as simple and easy of a choice as it seems, Lot’s wife did the same thing that many of us do as well. She held on to her sin instead of God’s promise of provision. She held on to her selfish desires and ended up facing the consequences of her decision. It was like trying to hold on to a trash can in high winds. Maybe this short and humorous video will help you get the picture.

Teacher’s Note: Play the video called “Garbage Can Takes Out Kid” https://teachersource.wol.org/resource/SBS25/32-1/.

If you are unable to show the video, ask the students to imagine trying to hold onto a big trash can while facing 50 mph winds. You could follow that with, “While that might cause laughter from those watching, it was no laughing matter when Lot’s wife held on so tight to her sin that it caused her to turn into salt. Imagine what Lot and his family felt. . .”

Ouch! While that video was funny to watch, imagine what Lot and his family felt as they saw their loved one turn into a pillar of salt. That image would’ve burned in their minds for the rest of their lives. A moment they would never forget.

In fact, it is a moment that Jesus wanted His followers to remember as well. Jesus actually used Lot’s wife as an example. Let’s look at… [Show the PowerPoint slide with the third point of the outline and read it to the students.]

III. The Statements of Jesus (Luke 17:31-33, 9:62, Colossians 3:1-2)

Let’s turn to Luke 17:32 as we read a short and interesting statement from Jesus. [Read Luke 17:32

Luke 17:32 ESV

Remember Lot’s wife.

When we are instructed to remember something, it is usually because there is a lesson to be learned.

In context, Jesus was speaking about the end times and even compared the future events to the past events in Lot’s day. To remember Lot’s wife is to learn a lesson from her life. Let’s read the surrounding verses to understand the lesson Jesus was teaching about Lot’s wife, starting with verse 31 and ending at verse 33.

[Read Luke 17:31-33

Luke 17:31–33 ESV

On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.

Just like in Lot’s day, judgment is coming on the wicked, on those who are enemies of God, those who live without acknowledging their need for Jesus to save them from their sin. They would rather love their sin than love God, be obedient to Him, and cling to His promises of everlasting life.

Lot’s wife was so close to being rescued, but she had one foot in the world and one foot with God. While it may not seem like that big of a deal, that kind of mindset is wicked.

Let’s read one more statement from Jesus that further illustrates this idea. Turn to Luke 9:62. [Read Luke 9:62

Luke 9:62 ESV

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Being fit for the kingdom is no small thing. Some will say this passage refers to having eternal life, while others say it refers to serving God. However you interpret this passage, one thing is clear—don’t look back! Look to Him instead of sin.

To set your mind on worldly things is death, but to set your mind on God and eternal promises is what Jesus wants from us. Let’s read Colossians 3:1-2. [Read Colossians 3:1-2

Colossians 3:1–2 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Set your mind on Christ; [Show the PowerPoint slide with the Sticky Statement.] look to Him instead of sin.

CONNECTION

Again and again throughout this series, you have been reminded that a wicked life is a wasted life. Jezebel, Delilah, and Potiphar’s wife were all embodiments of evil. Their wickedness was hard to miss, and their impact was not forgotten.

Lot’s wife, at first, doesn’t seem to fit that category. All she did was desire for herself the sinful lifestyle she once had, and judgment came upon her. Does that mean anytime you desire things in this world, you are in danger of being turned into a pillar of salt as well?

No, thankfully, God is not sitting in Heaven just waiting to take you out. In fact, if you know Jesus as your Savior—walking in the Spirit He has given you—then there is no condemnation upon you (Romans 8:1). But does that mean that you can live however you want and expect God to still bless your life? Absolutely not! (Romans 6:1-2).

When you become a follower of Jesus, that is exactly what He wants you to do—follow Him! He doesn’t want you to be double minded in your faith (James 1:8). Look to Him instead of sin.

Why? Because Jesus knows that you are going to be tempted to go back to the life you once had. Even though we have been given new lives with new desires for God, we are still bent toward sin. [Show the “My Life” piece of paper from the Hook.]

We still want to look with our hearts towards our old ways of being slaves to sin. So, how do we fight this urge? God says not to look back, and He also says to look up! Look to Him instead of sin. Set your mind on heavenly promises.

Teacher’s Note: Take out the piece of paper with the arrow on it and tape it above the trash can. Make sure the arrow is facing upward.

It is easier to avoid looking back when instead we are looking up. We can avoid wasting our lives looking back at the life we once lived or the sin that our peers enjoy. So, how do we do that?

Here are three quick things to remember as you look up to God. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the first reminder.]

● Think about life and look to the One who made it.

[Take out a blank sheet of paper.] Many people helped make this paper. We don’t know who they all are, but through a series of events, this paper was made from a tree and is now in my hand. While we don’t know who made it, we do know the God Who made it possible. And much more important than a piece of paper, we know that God created life!

Right now, take a deep breath and let it out. [Allow time for students to take a deep breath and let it out.] That was from God. Everything that is good comes from Him. As you ponder the life He gave you, it will help you continue to think about the amazing God that He is! Things of this world will become less appealing, especially when we consider what really matters at the end of our life. So, think about life and look to the One who made it. Then… [Show the PowerPoint slide with the second reminder.]

● Think about death and look to the One who defeated it.

[Show the same blank sheet of paper.] One day, someone is going to read about your life on a sheet of paper. Your obituary will be filled with highlights from your life and what you were about. What do you want to be said about you? That you lived for selfish desires and thought more about what pleased you than God? We pray that’s not the case for any of us.

So, occasionally, think about death. This might sound a little strange or even morbid, but something you could do is walk around a cemetery. Take note of what was important to people before they died. Allow it to be an opportunity to look to God, who conquered death on the cross! May it serve as a reminder to set your affections on Him today, while you still have breath in your lungs. So, think about life, think about death, and… [Show the PowerPoint slide with the third reminder.]

● Think about today and look to the One Who is with you.

[Show the same blank sheet of paper.] In a sense, every day is like a blank sheet of paper. You don’t know what is going to take place, but God does. For some of you, today was filled with worries, hardships, regrets, rewards, failures, or maybe a combination of each. While we do not know what each day will bring, we can look to God and thank Him that He already knows it all. Today is in His hand, and we can look to Him for wisdom and guidance. Look to Him instead of sin.

CHOICE

At this time, take a moment to close your eyes and bow your heads. Will you make the choice to look to God instead of back at the sin that you once desired? Will you choose to look to the One Who satisfies and not the trash that ruins lives?

If your heart has longed for things of this world, and you are tired of never being satisfied with eating “garbage,” take the time to pray right now (if you are in agreement with these words). You could pray something like this:

“Dear God, I admit to You that I have looked back and longed for selfish desires that please my flesh. Help me to set my mind on things above and not on things on this earth.

In Jesus’ name, amen.”

NEXT STEPS

[Recruit a leader to give everyone a piece of paper with an arrow on it.]

If you are tired of wasting your life looking back, knowing that it is a wicked way to live, then here is a challenge for this week. The paper you have just been given has an arrow on it. The arrow represents the choice we have to make every single day. We can point it in any direction we want. Chances are, where you point the arrow is where you will look. Once again, this is just a representation of something that takes place in each of our hearts.

If you decided to look to God instead of looking back and longing for sin, then take this piece of paper home with you. Place it somewhere in your house; not just anywhere, but somewhere above a trash can. Place the arrow facing upward as a reminder to look to Him instead of sin.

If you are not ready to make that decision, still take the paper home with you. Keep it in a drawer or folder until you are ready to make that decision. Ask God to work in your heart so you will set your mind on Him instead of things of this world that will one day waste away. Let’s pray. [Close in prayer asking God to help everyone not waste their lives on selfish desires.]

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

If your school or community became known as “sin city,” what kind of selfish pleasures would they be known for? (In other words, what are some selfish desires that the students are aware of within their circles? Don’t allow for specific names to be used in the conversation; allow the students to describe their current school/community situation.)

What are some ways in which we can look to God instead of looking back toward selfish desires? (Remind students of the practical steps from the lesson: “Think about life and look to the One Who made it.” “Think about death and look to the One Who defeated it.” “Think about today and look to the One Who is with you.” To help this be more practical, ask the students one specific way each of those could happen.)

This week, where in your house will you place the arrow handout? (Encourage the students to be specific and think of a trash can either in their bedroom, bathroom, or somewhere they will pass by daily.)