Get the facts of last Sunday’s story briefly from the children, leaving most of the time for the answers to Wednesday’s question in the pupil’s work book concerning what they think Eve should have done when she was tempted to disobey God. Another question which it will be helpful for the children to think through and find an answer to is, After Adam and Eve had disobeyed the heavenly Father, what should they have done right away when they realized the wrong and felt the shame? If each pupil can be brought to see, through thinking it out for himself, that the only possible help for one who has done wrong comes from God, and that Adam and Eve should have gone to God to confess their sin and ask forgiveness instead of trying to hide from him, the conclusion will point its own moral and each child will make his own application.
See how many know the memory text and the name of the book in which it is found. If there is time, read to the children Psalm 139:7-12, letting them follow you with the Bible open before them. Ask all to read softly with you, each making it his own prayer, verses 23 and 24.
LESSON 4
Cain and Abel
Teaching Material.—Genesis 4:3-15.
Pupil’s Reading.—Genesis 4:3-15.
Memory Text.—Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not. 1 Corinthians 13:4a.
LIGHT FROM OTHER BIBLE PASSAGES
Job 11:14,15; Romans 6:12,16; Colossians 3:12-14; James 3:14; 5:9.
FROM THE COMMENTATORS
The narrative ... impressively shows how sin, having once appeared, became hereditary in the human race, and speedily developed into its most revolting form. Its details enable us to see how jealousy, when indulged, leads to hatred and murder, and violates not only the ties of humanity but those of family affection; how the sinner casts off all regard for the truth and for his natural obligations; how progress in sin adds to the misery of man’s lot; and “conscience doth make cowards of us all.” The truths taught are, that God looks on the hearts of his worshipers, seeks to restrain the sinner ere he yields to passion, marks the death of the innocent, and graciously mitigates his punishment when his mercy is sought.—The One Volume Commentary, James R. Dummelow.