Lesson 4: Cain and Abel - Giving God Our Best and Loving One Another

1. Opening Prayer

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us safely to Sabbath School today. As we learn the story of Cain and Abel from Your holy Word, teach us to worship You with pure and cheerful hearts, to give You our very best, and to love our brothers and sisters in peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”

2. Opening Praise Song

3. Introduction: Two Brothers and Two Hearts

Do you have a brother, a sister, a cousin, or a close friend? Sometimes brothers and sisters work and play happily together, and sometimes they feel jealous when one of them receives praise.

In Genesis Chapter 4, after Adam and Eve left the garden of Eden, God blessed their family with the very first children ever born into the world: two brothers named Cain and Abel. Their story in the World English Bible (WEB) teaches us how God looks straight into our hearts when we worship Him, and why we must never let jealousy or anger rule over us.

4. The Bible Story: Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1–16, WEB)

Part 1: The Birth and Work of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1–2, WEB)

When Adam and Eve’s first baby boy was born, Eve rejoiced and named him Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.” Again she gave birth, to Cain’s younger brother Abel (Genesis 4:1–2, WEB).

As the two boys grew up into strong young men, each had an honourable job to help the family:

• Abel was a keeper of sheep (a shepherd): He looked after the woolly sheep and gentle lambs on the green pastures.
• Cain was a tiller of the ground (a farmer): He ploughed the soil, planted seeds, and harvested grain, fruits, and vegetables.

Part 2: Two Offerings Brought to Yahweh (Genesis 4:3–5, WEB)

In process of time, the day came for the brothers to bring an offering of worship and thanksgiving to God:

• Cain’s Offering: “Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground.” (Genesis 4:3, WEB). However, Cain did not bring the very best with a humble, trusting heart.
• Abel’s Offering: “Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat.” (Genesis 4:4, WEB)—the very best, spotless firstborn lambs of his flock, offered with sincere faith and love for God (Hebrews 11:4, WEB).

The Bible tells us: “Yahweh respected Abel and his offering, but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering.” (Genesis 4:4–5, WEB). God does not only look at what we hold in our hands—He looks at the faith, obedience, and love inside our hearts!

Part 3: God’s Loving Warning to Cain (Genesis 4:5–7, WEB)

How did Cain react when his offering was not respected? Instead of humbling himself and asking God to help him do better, “Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell.” (Genesis 4:5, WEB). He frowned with bitter jealousy towards his younger brother Abel.

Even then, Yahweh mercifully spoke to Cain to warn him before it was too late:

“Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” — Genesis 4:6–7 (WEB)

God was telling Cain: “Be careful! Sin is crouching like a wild animal at the door of your heart—you must rule over your anger and choose to do what is right!”

Part 4: A Terrible Sin and a Famous Question (Genesis 4:8–10, WEB)

Sadly, Cain refused to listen to God’s warning. Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” And when they were in the field together, Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him (Genesis 4:8, WEB). Jealousy and anger had led Cain to commit a terrible sin against his own brother!

Just as God had called to Adam in the garden, Yahweh spoke to Cain and asked: “Where is Abel, your brother?” (Genesis 4:9, WEB).

Cain lied to God and answered disrespectfully: “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9, WEB).

Could Cain hide his sin from Almighty God? No! Yahweh said: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10, WEB).

Part 5: Cain’s Punishment and God’s Mercy (Genesis 4:11–16, WEB)

Because of what Cain had done, Yahweh pronounced a heavy judgment:

• When Cain tilled the ground, it would no longer yield its strength to him.
• Cain would become “a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth” (Genesis 4:12, WEB).

Cain cried out to Yahweh, “My punishment is greater than I can bear!” He was afraid that anyone who found him would kill him (Genesis 4:13–14, WEB). Even in judgment, God showed mercy and forbade anyone from taking revenge into their own hands: “Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.” (Genesis 4:15, WEB).

Then Cain left Yahweh’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod (which means “Wandering”), east of Eden (Genesis 4:16, WEB).

5. Quick Revision Table: Cain and Abel Compared (WEB)

6. Class Discussion Questions

1. Why did Yahweh respect Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s offering? How can we give God our very best when we pray, sing, and worship on the Sabbath?
2. What did God mean when He told Cain, “Sin crouches at the door... but you are to rule over it”? What should you do when you start feeling angry or jealous of a brother, sister, or classmate?
3. When Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”, what is the true biblical answer for us today? (Yes! God wants us to love and look after one another!)
4. How did God still show mercy to Cain even when judging him?

7. Fun Children’s Activity

8. Closing Prayer

“Almighty God, Searcher of all hearts, thank You for teaching us through the story of Cain and Abel. Give us humble, faithful hearts like Abel so that we always bring You our very best worship. Help us to rule over jealousy, anger, and sin, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we truly love and care for our brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ holy name we pray, Amen.”