4 – Cain and Abel
Genesis 4:1-16
Adam and Eve had a son and named him Cain. In time they had another son named Abel.
Abel became a herdsman—working with animals. Cain became a farmer, tilling the soil.
One day, when it was time to bring a sacrifice to the Lord, Cain decided to bring fruits and vegetables, instead of a lamb. Abel also brought an offering, but it was the best lamb from his flock. The Lord was pleased with Abel’s offering, but he wasn’t happy with Cain’s.
Cain became angry when he saw that God didn’t accept his sacrifice. He started to pout. God said, “Cain, why are you angry? If you simply do what’s right, you’ll be accepted and happy. But if you don’t, sin is waiting for you. It’s crouched by your door, ready to pounce and become your master. Instead, you need to take control of it!”
A few days later, Cain and Abel were talking out in a field. Cain turned and attacked his brother and killed him.
Later that day, God asked Cain, “Where’s your brother?”
“I don’t know! Am I supposed to watch over him all the time?”
“Oh Cain, what have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood is crying to me from the soil. You’ve loved this ground, but from now on it’s cursed because it contains your brother’s blood. Oh, you’ll continue to work the field, but it’ll no longer respond to you and give you its best. You’ll become a restless wanderer.”
Cain fell down and cried out. “Oh God, your punishment is too severe! You’re taking away my land and your presence! I’ll be aimless and separated from everyone else. Eventually they’ll hunt me down and kill me.”
So God put a mark on Cain and said, “Anyone who kills Cain will suffer for it seven times over!” With that, Cain went away from the presence of the Lord.
The Hands of Cain
By Phillis Hostmeyer
Dirt lodges under the nails of his powerful hands.
Fingers that beckoned to his brother, now curl around a stone.
Greedy, the black soil swallows innocent blood.
“Cain, when your hands till the soil, will you plant in his blood?”
Lifting one hand, he blocks the sun and squints as he answers,
“Planting season is long past; soon I’ll harvest the results of my work.”
- What is the difference between shame and guilt?
- Watch the video Cain and Abel.
- Read Gen 4:6-7. Why doesn’t Cain accept and follow God’s advice?
- Because Cain allows himself to believe a lie, he remains angry. What are the results of his anger?
- God told Cain to take control of sin. How can we take control of sin?
- Do you think Cain’s punishment could have been less severe if he had admitted his sin rather than lying to God about knowing where his brother was?
- Does this story give you any ideas about eternal punishment?
- What does this story teach you about justice and mercy?
- Retell Cain and Abel as a group.
Group Discussion
- How can we be sure we are bringing an acceptable offering to God?
- How does this story show that God is not as concerned with our offerings as he is with the condition of our heart and our relationships with others?
- God lectured Cain on anger management, describing sin as a master. Give an illustration of a time when sin became a master over someone. Give another illustration of when sin tried but failed to control someone.
- What does it mean for us to know that “sin is crouching at our door”?
