In the Beginning - Lesson 3 - The Curse of Cain

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

Online Bible Study - Happy New Me! - 01 Blind Bartimaeus

At this time of year, we all make promises or resolutions to change our lives in better ways. Usually, we fail to meet up to the higher standards that we set for ourselves. The changes that we hope to make often fall by the wayside.

       But what would happen if Jesus were to intervene in our lives and make positive changes that we could not diminish or alter? What would happen to our lives and those of others around us?

       This short series looks at some of the people who met Jesus and whose circumstances were changed forever.

              Study 01: “I Can See!” – The Story of Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46-52

(also in Matthew 20:29-34 & Luke 18:35-43)

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. 

47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 

49 Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." 

50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 

51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." 

52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Questions for Discussion

What do you think Jesus and His disciples were doing in this passage? What is Bartimaeus doing?

How does the blind man know that Jesus is there? What do you think he has heard about him?

Why does he shout? Why does he call Jesus the ‘Son of David’? What is the reaction of the crowd? How does Bartimaeus respond?

What does Jesus do? How does that change the attitude of the crowd? What is Bartimaeus’ response?

Why does Jesus ask him what he wants from Him? Isn’t it obvious? Why does Bartimaeus now call Jesus ‘Rabbi’?

Did Jesus heal Bartimaeus? Why is faith necessary here? What is the outcome of the event? How is Bartimaeus’ life changed forever?

Further discussion

Pope Benedict has stated that today’s Church is the equivalent of Bartimaeus. What do you think he means by this?

Is the Church blind? If so, how can we be healed?

Any other comments?

Next Week

Go and Sin No More – the Adulteress

(John 8:1-12)