CAIN REJECTS GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

Genesis 4:1-5:32                                        Lesson 4b
Key Verse: 4:7
 
    "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?  But if
     you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door;
     it desires to have you, but you must master it."

*  ABEL AND CAIN AND THEIR OFFERINGS (1-7)

1.   Who were Cain and Abel and what sacrifices did each offer to God?
     How did God regard each man and his offering? Why? What does
     this show about them? About God? (Heb 11:4)

2.   How did Cain react to God's rejection of his offering? What does
     this show about his view of himself and his attitude toward
     God?

3.   When Cain was angry and downcast, how did the Lord counsel him?
     What additional light does this throw on Cain's problem? (7) How
     does this word of God show God's love for Cain? What can we
     learn from God's words about how to deal with the sinful desires
     that arise in us?

*  CAIN MURDERS HIS BROTHER (8-16)

4.   How did Cain receive God's word? What did he do immediately
     afterward?  (8) What was his motive for murder? What does this
     suggest about the nature and cause of jealousy? (Jas 1:15)

5.   Read verse 9. Why did God ask the question? What does Cain's
     response show about his attitude toward God? Toward his fellow
     man? What does verse 10 mean? In what sense was Abel a martyr?
     (Mt 23:35)

6.   How did God punish Cain? How did he protect him? Describe Cain's
     life under God's curse. (11-16) What does it mean to be a restless
     wanderer? How did Cain react to his punishment? What does this
     show about his inner life?

*  CAIN'S DESCENDANTS (17-24)

7.   What might have been Cain's motive in building a city? What does
     Lamach's family and life show about human culture without God?
     How did Lamech use God's word of grace and mercy to justify his
     sinful actions?

*  MEN WHO CALLED ON THE NAME OF THE LORD (4:25-5:32)

8.   Compare the descendants of Adam by Seth with the descendants of
     Cain. What are the signs of hope in Seth's line? What evidence
     is there of a spiritual remnant of God's people?