Genesis 4 Youth Sunday School Lesson - Cain and Abel

Refer to my Most Effective Way to Teach a Youth Bible Study

Discussion Points:

- Giving Our Best - Why did God look with favor on Abel's offering, but not Cain's? The Scripture says that Abel brought his offering from the firstborn of his flock, indicating he brought the best of what he had. Cain only brought "some" of the produce he had grown, and probably not the best of his crop. Notice that Abel was perfectly happy when he gave his best to God. Cain, on the other hand, was angry, depressed, and prone to commit more sin. One sins leads to another. This shows us the difference in attitude between someone is serving God with their whole heart and someone who isn't. When you serve God, you're happy. When you don't, you're not. Which would you rather have? God's approval and joy in your life? Or God's disapproval and inner turmoil?

- Then the Lord Said to Cain... - God comes to Cain and warns him. How gracious is it of God to reach out to us when we were the ones who did wrong? How does God warn you? (Conscience, Scripture, circumstances, other people, His Spirit speaking to our spirit, etc.) Are you looking for those warning signs? Unfortunately, Cain didn't heed God's warning and ended up regretting it. Let's not follow his example, but let us pay attention to God's warnings and thank Him for them.

- The Mark of Cain - God punishes Cain for what he's done, but he also disallows anyone else from taking revenge on Cain. The mark of Cain is a call for others to forgive Cain rather than perpetuate the cycle of sin he created. God always interrupts sin with grace and forgiveness. What cycle of sin is God wanting to interrupt in your life? Who do you need to forgive? Imagine them having the mark of Cain not as a sign of their sin, but as God's call for you to forgive them.

- Went Out From the Lord's Presence - Cain committed sin and was exiled from God's presence. It nowhere says that Cain repented, only that he feared his punishment. Sin separates us from God. If we continue in our sin, God will not be present in our lives. God hates sin and refuses to be around it. He will continue to reach out to us from time to time, but will not be an abiding presence with us unless we repent. Eventually, if we continue in our sin until death, we will be exiled from God's presence forever. With God is comfort, joy, peace, love. Without Him is emptiness and despair. Let us not trade our sin for the experience of having God with us in life, and in death.

- God Has Granted Me Another - Eve acknowledges that God has given her Seth as a replacement for Abel. Whereas we wouldn't think of people as being replaceable, the grace of this statement is that God does see our hardships in life and works to turn them around. God knows what we're going through and will work to bless us again. Have hope that He is the God who grants "another". Another season of hope. Another season of joy. Another season of prosperity. God is not just working for our good in death, but also in life.