3: Cain and His Legacy – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: After the fall, we see the birth of Cain, the firstborn son, which Eve saw as a fulfillment of the Messiah of hope. But the next events of the crime of Cain, shortened life, and increasing evil fulfilled the curse in Genesis 3.
April 16, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 4:1-5 ; Hebrews 11:4.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
What do we learn from these passages about the birth of the two sons?
Personal Application: What things are truly vapor that we treat as if they mattered much more than they do? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why did Adam and Eve misunderstand what God had promised them? Are we susceptible to misunderstand God’s word and promises in our lives? Why isn’t God more specific in His word so that we don’t misunderstand or misapply it?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis Genesis 4:3-8 ; I John 3:12.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What is the process that led Cain to kill his brother?
Personal Application: What does this story tell us about free will and how God does not force the will and make people do things against their will? Share your thoughts
Case Study: One of your friends states, “Didn’t God harden the heart of Pharoah? Didn’t He lead Judas toi betray Christ? Doesn’t God make people do things to fulfill His purposes?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Genesis 4:9-16.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
Why does God ask Cain the question, “Where is your brother?” How did Cain’s sin cause him to be a fugitive and vagabond on the earth?
Personal Application: What is the only way that we, as sinners, can keep from being “hidden” from His face? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why did Cain say, I shall be hidden from your face? Wasn’t salvation and forgiveness available to Cain as well as all who have gone astray and did wrong things? Was Cain lost because he was judged by a different standard in the Old Testament than we are in the New?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Genesis 4:17-24..

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What was Cain’s legacy and how did his crime open the way for the wickedness of mankind?
Personal Application: How can we learn to put sin from our lives through God’s power? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!