Connections Class 2014-2015
September 07
– In the Beginning
Lesson 03 – The
Curse of Cain
Comments and Questions
Genesis Chapter
4 sadly reveals the inhumane consequences of sin. Violence enters into the
human world and anger erupts into fratricide. It is an awful moment in the
history of humanity. Creation has already been marred because of disobedience;
now it is horribly contaminated with murder, the most heinous sinful act that
people can commit.
Cain’s envious spirit estranges
himself from his brother, his parents, and his God. This is what unchecked envy
does. It depletes the human soul of value, esteem, and respect. Cain wants to
be approved by God more than his brother. He seeks fame over faith and
recognition over redemption. He is not truly sacrificing anything to God; he
only does what he does in order to be rewarded.
The difference between Cain and Abel
may be thought of as the main difference between faith and religion. Faith
encourages us to simply do things for God because we want to honor and respect
Him. Religion demands that we do things, in order to be compensated by God for
our deeds and rituals. Sometimes the most thankless of people are the most
religious adherents. They do not know the joy of doing something simply for God
out of love and devotion. They feel compelled to worship God rather than being
attracted to praise Him.
Our Sunday morning experiences, prior to coming to church,
may often indicate whether we are being faithful or religious. If we come to
get something out of church, we come for the wrong reason. If we come to give
something to God of ourselves, we do this with and by faith.
Questions for discussion
Why did Cain and
Abel feel the need to sacrifice something to God? How did God respond to their
actions?
What was Cain’s
initial response? What do you think caused him to feel this way? Why did God
have to speak directly to him?
Why did Cain
deceive and murder Abel? How did he try to conceal this when confronted by God?
What was God’s
response to Cain’s crime? Does this suggest anything to us about the pros and
cons of capital punishment?
How did God
respond to Cain’s request for mercy? Why did he mark Cain?
Where did Cain
find a wife? How did this happen?
Verses 18-22
mention descendants of Cain. What were they famous for? Why do think this was
included in the texts?
What does the
story of Lamech tell us about human sin? Why is violence so much a part of who
we are as human beings?
Why does God
give Adam and Eve a new son called Seth? What will his purpose be?
Why did
people begin to call upon the name of the Lord? What does this tell us about
the origins of worship?
Unison Prayer
O Lord of all
Creation, we are sorry for being sinful and violent creatures. Instead of
living according to Your ways, we break all of Your commands and set aside Your
words as if they mean nothing. Forgive us for being so foolish, rebellious, and
defiant.
Teach us new
ways and help us to learn the importance of the beginnings of our faith,
species, and life. May we each become new creatures through Christ’s Spirit, so
that we may be positive and encouraging witnesses of Your True Word and
Everlasting Kingdom. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
Further Notes
NEXT WEEK:
GENESIS 5-6 – ALONG CAME NOAH
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