Christ-Light Connections: Man’s Sin and God’s Promise & Cain and Abel
As a parent of three children who attend a Christian school, I’ve admittedly found the daily Christ Light worksheets to feel more like a chore than a growth opportunity. Can you relate? Dare I say, ‘yet another worksheet to squeeze in after soccer practice, between piano lessons or maybe after dinner’. So the question is, how might we change this ‘homework chore’ into enthusiastic, meaningful learning? How can we grow in faith together with our children?
Before thoughtfully sharing God’s Word with our children, we parents need to be fed by it ourselves.
It is the goal of the Christ-Light Connections series to provide helpful resources first for the growth of parents, and second, for the eternal benefit of our children.
Each week in this series, two stories will be covered as outlined by the WELS Christ Light curriculum. The Old Testament will kick off the Fall of 2019, and will include:
- context
- big themes
- helpful links
- notes from a parent study group at my home church
If you are a classroom educator, perhaps this will serve as a helpful resource for your preparations as well.
Resources Notes
In the “Digging Deeper” section you will often find a link to the podcast, 40 Minutes in the Old Testament. This is a running commentary created by a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pastor and former seminary professor. This commentary:
- consistently points all scripture to Jesus
- is often deep
- is sometimes blunt and sarcastic about the depravity of humanity
- is therefore recommended for adults or for listening to with your children
The Seeds of Faith resource is produced by Concordia Publishing House as a tool for Sunday School teachers to prepare for their lessons. The authors:
- provide Law and Gospel points
- always look for Christ in the story
- provide a ‘Questions Section’; also useful as great discussion starters
So together, let’s reframe something that might have become a ‘chore’ in our minds. Let our goal be to use these helpful resources first for our spiritual growth as parents, and second, for the eternal benefit of our children.
The theme this week is God’s love is more powerful than mankind’s sin.
OT Set 1 2A
The First Sin—Genesis 3
Context
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 show us God’s “good” and “very good” creation. Now everything changes as sin enters the world. We watch in horror as the man and the women first doubt God, then disobey him. They suddenly are filled with shame and fear and we hold our breath as they await God’s arrival to issue the deserved punishment. Yet, God comes to them not as an executioner, but at a Father, ready to rescue his lost children.
Big Themes
Sin enters the world
Satan hides within God’s good creation as a snake and comes to Eve and Adam to tempt them. He begins by trying to create doubt. “Did God really say to you…” As he questions the first people, it is as if he is saying, “Is God really good? Does he really have your best interest in mind? God is lying to you.” We also can note that in the original Hebrew, the word “you” is plural indicating that Adam was with Eve from the beginning of the conversation.
Conversation starter:
- How does Satan use God’s creation to tempt you?
Parents, please ask your children, but also share your answers with them as well.
The first gospel promise
After the first sin, God searches for his children. He doesn’t come in rage or in judgment but instead proclaims his rescue plan. He turns to the serpent, Satan, the author of evil, and delivers a curse. The curse will ultimately defeat the death and the devil but at the cost of the life of God’s own Son. This son would come from the seed of the woman (this is possibly a prophecy of the virgin birth) and bring life to all. The Creator promises to rescue his created by becoming a part of his creation.
Conversation starter:
- What would have been a fair punishment for the man and woman?
- Who received the punishment they deserved?
- How?
Eve
Immediately after the curse, Adam renames his wife, Eve. Which means “mother of all the living.” This indicates that Adam believes God’s promise. Not only would Eve be the mother of all humanity, but the mother of all those who will live eternally with God one day.
The garments of skin
When God made the garments to clothe Adam and Eve, he used garments of skin so that the shame they felt because of their nakedness would be covered. This act of mercy from God meant that something in God’s creation had to die. We see the first sacrifice because of sin. This points us to the coming sacrifice of Jesus. Yet, his death doesn’t give us temporary clothes to hide our shame. His sacrifice removes our shame and provides us with everlasting clothes that are made of his own righteousness.
Conversation starter:
- What is shame?
- How do we try and hide our shame?
- How does God temporarily set Adam and Eve free from shame?
- How does he set all of us eternally free from shame?
Digging Deeper
The Seeds of Faith resource this week provides context and deeper connections.
In the 40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast, the content is split over several episodes.
And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.
Illustration by Chris Powers
A Simple Way to Pray & Study God’s Word
Each week, in order to provide a template for studying God’s Word, include “A Simple Way to Pray and Study God’s Word” and the “ACTS Prayer Outline.” Learn more about Luther’s A Simple Way to Pray here.
| What does this Bible lesson teach us to do? | Main Theme—The Big Point |
| For what does this Bible lesson teach us to be thankful? | Specific Gospel—Good News |
| What does this Bible lesson teach us to confess? | Specific Sin/Commandment # |
| For what does this Bible lesson teach us to ask God? | Prayer—Thanks/Praise/Requests |
| What do we learn about ourselves from this story? | What are people like? What do they do? |
| What do we learn about God from this story? | What is God like? What does God do? |
Acts Prayer
| Adoration | God, we praise you for… |
| Confession | God, I have sinned by… |
| Thanks | God, thank you for… |
| Supplication | God, please help us by… |
OT Set 1 2B
Cain and Abel—Genesis 4
Context
In Genesis chapter 4, we see the infection of sin in full force. The third human to live commits murder. In contrast to this total human depravity, God shocks us, by pursuing his lost child and offering mercy.
Big Themes
The naming of Cain
This firstborn of Eve is the beginning of God keeping his Gospel promise to send a rescuer from the seed of the woman. The Hebrew indicates that Eve may have thought that Cain himself was the savior. As we see from this narrative, Cain was far from the savior and was in great need of a savior himself.
The Lord looked with favor on Abel’s offering but not on Cain’s
It is tempting to make sense of God’s favor and disfavor by assuming it is connected to the character or deeds of Cain and Abel. Yet the Genesis text does not indicate the reason. In Hebrews 11:4, the writer explains that Abel’s offering was accepted by God because of his faith. His faith was connected to Jesus and his righteousness and thus made him right with God. In contrast, Cain did not give his offering in faith, therefore, did not have a right relationship with God.
God’s approach to Cain
Before the murder of Abel, God comes to Cain as a shepherd pursuing his lost sheep. His warning to Cain is a preaching of the law and a call to repentance. When God says, “Sin is crouching at your door…you must master it,” this does not mean that Cain actually is able to master it. God is pointing out that Cain is battling sin on his own. Only in Cain’s failure to master sin, does he eventually see his weakness and need for God.
Conversation starter:
- What do you picture when you hear “sin is crouching at your door?”
- How is sin like an animal of prey?
- Look up Revelation 3:20. How does this verse comfort you?
The mark of Cain
God comes to Cain again after the murder of Abel. God curses Cain because of his sin and unbelief. When Cain cries out that his punishment is more than he can bear, it is an admission of weakness and a cry for God to help. In mercy, God spares Cain’s life by putting a mark on him and prolonging his time of grace on Earth. It is not clear whether Cain ever put his faith in God or not. But, the character of God as a merciful and pursuing Father starts to become a repeated theme in scripture.
Conversation starter:
- Can you think of other Bible characters who should have received immediate punishment from God but received something else?
Digging Deeper
The Seeds of Faith resource this week provides context and deeper connections.
In the 40 Minutes in the Old Testament Podcast,
- Episode 7: Minute 18 starts the story of Cain
- Episode 8: The murder of Able and God’s conversation with Cain.
- Episode 9: The blood of Able and the mark of Cain.
A Simple Way to Pray & Study God’s Word
Each week, in order to provide a template for studying God’s Word, include “A Simple Way to Pray and Study God’s Word” and the “ACTS Prayer Outline.” Learn more about Luther’s A Simple Way to Pray here.
| What does this Bible lesson teach us to do? | Main Theme—The Big Point |
| For what does this Bible lesson teach us to be thankful? | Specific Gospel—Good News |
| What does this Bible lesson teach us to confess? | Specific Sin/Commandment # |
| For what does this Bible lesson teach us to ask God? | Prayer—Thanks/Praise/Requests |
| What do we learn about ourselves from this story? | What are people like? What do they do? |
| What do we learn about God from this story? | What is God like? What does God do? |
Acts Prayer
| Adoration | God, we praise you for… |
| Confession | God, I have sinned by… |
| Thanks | God, thank you for… |
| Supplication | God, please help us by… |
Please share any questions, comments, or additional resources in the comment section below.
Molly Parsons
Molly Parsons is a ministry assistant, teacher, mother, and wife. She is currently serving at Faith Lutheran in Fond du Lac, WI. Her ministry passion is to help connect and equip parents with spiritual resources to enable them to be a part of the faith development of their children.
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