Lesson 4 – Cain and Abel
Even though Cain sinned, God still loved and preserved him. Even though we sin, God in Christ, still loves and preservers us.
Opening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
This lesson will use the Bible, the Bible Exploration Guide and the Lesson 4 Leaflet from the Student Pack. The front cover shows how the artist sees Abel making an offering to God. Also paper and colored pencils or crayons will be needed.
Think about your school. What kinds of problems do you experience or see there? Problems such as intimidation, violence, cliques, discrimination, and preference.
What could you do to improve the situation at your school? Controlling your own behavior; ending name-calling, gossiping, and arguing; sticking up for those who get harassed; talking with teachers and parents to get help or options; acting responsibly with texts and online comments; being a good friend.
Watch the video “H.S. football coach suspends almost entire team for bad behavior”.
The coach made the players perform community service and attend study hall and character education class. Why do you think the coach had the players do these things before he would let them play? He identified low grades, disrespect for teachers and cyberbullying (cruelty toward others) as problems. A study hall addressed grades. Community service gave understanding of other people’s problems and built compassion. Character education helped players change their attitudes and adopt positive community behaviors.
The coach took action and intervened when he saw a problem. Today, we learn about a situation where God tried to intervene, but the person ignored His words and ended up in a terrible situation.
Prayer: Lord God, You made people for community. Help us to consider the needs, feelings, and hopes of others, not just our own. Help us think about the consequences of our actions, In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
God Speaks
On page 2 of the lesson leaflet, BC bully means a “Before Christ” bully. That is a bully that lived before Jesus was born. On a piece of paper make a chart and follow the directions at the top of the page.
In the Bible, read Genesis 4:1
It’s a boy! Based on your experiences with firstborn children, what experiences with firstborn children, what expectation s do you think Adam and Eve may have had for Cain? How might they have treated him? What attitudes might he have developed? Write facts and ideas in different colors in Cain's column. Fact: Cain was the firstborn son. Ideas: Parents often expect a lot from firstborns. Firstborns with indulgent parents may feel entitled and become selfish, prideful, and arrogant. Sometimes, firstborns expect others to serve them and they become lazy. Firstborns are often high achievers. For example, 21 of the first 23 USA astronauts and most presidents were firstborns. Firstborns who take responsibility often develop leadership skills. Younger siblings call them "bossy” for a good reason. Sometimes, older siblings bully younger ones.
Read Genesis 4:2
It's another boy! What name did this baby receive? Abel
What jobs did Cain and Abel do? What did their father Adam do? Write facts in each brother's column. Cain: farmer, like his father: Abel: second-born son, shepherd
Based on your experiences, what expectations do you think Adam and Eve may have had for their second son? How might they have treated him? What attitudes might he have developed? Write these ideas in the same color as those in Cain's column. ldeas: Sometimes, second-born children feel ignored. If the firstborn becomes lazy or insolent, the younger son often picks up the pieces, but rarely receives credit. If a firstborn is favored, the second may live in his shadow with little recognition or praise.
Read Genesis 4:3-7
What offerings did each son bring? Write facts in their columns. Abel brought the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions; Cain brought an offering from the fruit of the ground.
Why did God accept only Abel's sacrifice? This is hard to understand, so we look at other Bible verses for help. This is called letting Scripture interpret Scripture. Read 1 John 3:12 and Hebrews 11:4 (on page 2). Cain's deeds were evil; he didn't trust the Lord or worship Him with a true heart. He didn't offer his sacrifice with faith, but more likely did so out of duty or to manipulate God. But God looks at hearts, not appearances (1 Samuel 16:7), and Cain's heart was evil. God rejected the giver, not the gift. Abel gave his offering in faith, through which God called him righteous and accepted his gifts.
How did Cain act when God rejected his sacrifice? Why do you think this sacrifice was so important to him? Cain was very angry and his face fell, which means he felt disappointed, embarrassed, and shamed. As the firstborn, he probably expected to receive accolades for all he did.
God's actions and words spoke Law to Cain to unmask his sin. Instead of feeling angry, what did God want Cain to do? God wanted Cain to reconcile with Him. God showed Cain his sin so he would repent.
What did God warn Cain about? Sin was ready to pounce on him. Jealousy and anger fester and lead to dangerous actions. God warned Cain to stop and adjust his thinking and attitudes before he sinned more egregiously.
Add God to the top of the third column. Write facts about Cain, Abel, and God on your sheet.
Read Genesis 4:8
Although this account doesn't specifically mention bullying, it's reasonable to think Abel had seen Cain's temper before. What resulted from Cain's anger this time? Write facts in Cain's and Abel's columns. Beyond bullying or intimidating. Cain murdered Abel. Instead of searching his own heart when chastised by God, Cain blamed Abel, He sidestepped responsibility and blamed Abel,
How did Cain's one sin lead to another? First, Cain worshiped God with impure motives and a heart of unbelief, perhaps aggravated by sins of pride, privilege, and arrogance. He grew angry when rejected. He hated and envied Abel. Lying to lure his brother, speaking affectionately, he murdered him and then denied his sin.
Moving on the section of the leaflet with the title Cain's Sin, God's Mercy.
Read Genesis 4:9-16 and answer the questions.
When God asked Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" He knew the answer. Why did He ask? To give Cain an opportunity to confess his sin, repent, and seek God's mercy and forgiveness.
How did Cain react when God asked where Abel was? Cain lied and acted as if he didn't know where Abel was.
Blaming others and denial are two typical ways people respond when caught in sin. Think about a time you blamed or denied recently. What does God want us to do instead? God wants us to repent, to take responsibility for sin, and to not want to sin anymore. Repentance turns us around to seek God's mercy, grace, and forgiveness. If we have sinned against someone, Jesus said to go, apologize, and reconcile (Matthew 5:23-24).
What consequences did Cain receive for killing his brother? God cursed Cain so the ground would no longer provide his living. He became a fugitive and wandered the earth.
How did Cain react to God's words? Cain whined, felt sorry for himself, and a lack of repentance and unwillingness to take responsibility. He blamed God and did not accept consequences for his outrageous sin. He worried that other siblings would take his life as he took Abel's.
What did Cain think this meant about his relationship with God? Did this happen? Cain assumed he would be separated from the Lord ("from Your face shall l be hidden'; v. 14). It wasn't true. God continued to care for him as He did Adam and Eve.
How did God show mercy to Cain? He put a mark on Cain that told others to leave him alone. God would take sevenfold vengeance on anyone who hurt Cain. He did not abandon Cain but continued to care for him.
We Live
God protected Cain by putting a mark on him so that no one would hurt him. At Baptism what mark do we receive? What does it mean? We receive crosses marked on our forehead and heart, showing we are redeemed by Christ, the crucified.
Mark a cross on your forehead and heart now to remember that Christ redeemed you and made you His child in Baptism.
On the back page of the leaflet, read the verses under The Mark of Christ.
What other mark do we receive from Christ? The blood of Christ is sprinkled on us, just as the high priest used to sprinkle lamb's blood on the people at Yom Kippur, when their sins were forgiven.
Where do we receive the blood of Christ? At the Lord's Supper, in, with, and under the wine.
What does this mark promise and guarantee? Forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
How can this help you next time someone bullies you or you see someone else suffer? Part of self-preservation is knowing who we are: beloved children of God, marked with the cross of Christ at Baptism. No one can change that truth, and we cling to it, especially in difficult times.
Through God's Word and Sacraments, we receive mercy, forgiveness, comfort, peace, and power to live the Christian faith. God gives us opportunities and empowers us to share these gifts with others by our words and actions.
Read "Firstfruit Offerings" on pages 8-9 of the Bible Exploration Guide.
Read Psalm 27:7: "Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud: be gracious to me and answer me!”
Read the meaning of the First Article of the Apostles Creed from Luther's
Small Catechism on the back of the leaflet.
We Live
Finish this sentence: Even though l sin, I know God...
As a closing prayer, listen to hymn “The Tree of Life”.