The Story of Cain and Abel — Crouching Brother, Hidden Sin
This week we dive into the story of Cain and Abel! How can we redeem a story that seems so sad and ends wich such horrible results? We look ahead to the fulfillment of God's promise as we see sin beginning to take a greater effect on the human race. The story of Cain and Abel is a great reminder to be killing sin as we see very clearly that when this isn't done, sin can kill! We explore the themes of God's grace, even amid our sin and rebellion, his care for those that reject him still and we look to how the death of Abel points us to a need for a death that could "speak a better word."
The Big Takeaways
A little sin can quickly grow into a big problem
When we allow sin into our lives, it grows. Even when Cain gave an offering that God did not accept, God tried to help Cain stop his sin problem, right there. Cain ignored the warnings and continued in his sin. Can you and your children identify where sin has grown into a bigger problem in your own lives? Can you see times where God and others have encouraged you to not continue down the wrong path?
Our biggest problem isn’t out there, it is in here
Many times, like Cain, we think our problem is with other people. We think our brother or sister shouldn’t do something or we think they shouldn’t have told on us or we shouldn’t have gotten caught but in reality, the problem was with us. Cain tried to get rid of what he thought was the problem but he only made his problem worse. He refused to see God’s efforts to help him Cain continued down a path to do wrong. Cain thought a change of setting and characters would result in a change of heart but we see that isn’t the case.
It is a matter of the heart
It isn’t just that we give or what we give, it matters how we give. It is a matter of the heart. I don’t know exactly what Cain or Abel gave but I know that how Cain gave, was what made his offering a problem to God. Have you ever done a good thing with a bad attitude? God doesn’t just want our good deeds. He wants our hearts.