33 Days through the Old Testament: Day 3 Cain and Abel
Learn the Big Idea:
Give God your best!
Read the Passage: Genesis 4:1–16
[1] Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD.” [2] And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. [3] In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, [4] and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, [5] but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. [6] The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? [7] If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
[8] Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. [9] Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” [10] And the LORD said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. [11] And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. [12] When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” [13] Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. [14] Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” [15] Then the LORD said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. [16] Then Cain went away from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Watch the Video:
Tell the Story: CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE to view the story slides
NOTE: If you click on the first slide it will go full screen and a script will be on the bottom of the screen.
Discuss the Questions:
What was the name of Adam and Eve’s first son? (Cain)
Who was Cain’s little brother? (Abel)
What did Cain bring the Lord? (An offering of what he grew)
What did Abel bring the Lord? (The firstborn of his flock)
Why do you think God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s? (Talk about this awhile. The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly why, but it does give clues. Notice that God didn’t just accept Abel’s offering He accepted Abel. Likewise, He rejected both Cain and his offering. Look at the description of each offering – there are no descriptive words about Cain’s offering, but the Bible didn’t just say Abel brought God a lamb, it was the “firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions” – meaning Able brought God his best. So, the most likely explanation is that God knew their hearts. Abel brought God his very best because the Lord was important to him – he had faith. Cain just brought some stuff it wasn’t that important to him – he didn’t have faith. This could also be a foreshadowing of blood being necessary to cover sin. Hebrews 9:22 …without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.)
What did God warn Cain (v6,7)? (Be careful or your anger will take over)
What did Cain end up doing? (His anger took over and he killed his brother Abel)
Because of his sin, what happened to Cain? (He was going to become a nomad – a wanderer. But God was still merciful and told Cain that He would protect him.)
Have some Fun:
Sing some Songs:
