9.22.24 | The First Family
Genesis 4:1-16,25-26
Before you were born, your parents gave you the gift of genes. But not the kind of jeans you wear. Genes are the parts of our DNA that determine things like hair color, eye color, height, or whether we’ll be allergic to cats! You got half of your 20,000 genes from your mother and the other half from your father, and that’s why you look a lot like them.
When Adam and Eve had children, they passed down more than just looks. Adam and Eve passed down their sin and all the consequences to their children. It didn’t take long for the effect of sin to be seen in the lives of their sons, Cain and Abel.
As the two boys gave offerings to God, God showed favor to Abel’s sacrifice. The sin in Cain caused him to become furious. God had not responded the way Cain thought or wanted God to respond. God warned Cain to not let the power of sin rule over him, but sin continued to have power over Cain. Just as sin had caused his parents to blame one another in the garden, Cain became jealous of Abel and turned his anger towards his brother. The anger grew until Cain attacked and killed Abel.
Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When sin rules, as it did in Cain, the consequence is death. But God has provided salvation through Jesus. The power of sin has been broken for all who believe in His death and resurrection. When Christ rules, the gift is eternal life!
God had promised that one of Eve’s descendants would put an end to sin and death. Cain was not that descendant. He was sinful like his parents, Adam and Eve. As families grew and sin spread, people waited for God to keep His promise. At just the right time, God would send His Son, Jesus, to save sinners.
Memory Verse & Question
Family Prayer Time
Mornings
Thank God for your family—parents and siblings. How can things in your home tempt you to sin? How is Jesus the rescuer you need?
Evenings
Ask God to help you battle the sin of jealousy or comparing yourself to others. How can comparison lead us to sin? How are we loved and accepted by Jesus’ work instead of our own?
Family Activities
For Fun
Compare baby pictures of each family member. Talk about the way kids may resemble their parents or the ways siblings may resemble each other. Remind kids that the sin of Adam and Eve has been passed on to every generation—including your family, but Jesus’ death and resurrection have made eternal life available to anyone who believes in Him!
To Serve
Explain the concept of tithes and offerings to your kids. Allow them to participate in however your family gives to your church and invite them to also give. Talk about the offerings of Cain and Abel. Remind kids that God wants us to give with a cheerful and grateful heart as an act of worship.
