Session 5
Evidence of God’s grace.
13 But Cain answered the Lord, “My punishment is too great to bear!
14 Since you are banishing me today from the face of the earth,
and I must hide from your presence and become a restless wanderer on the earth,
whoever finds me will kill me.”
15 Then the Lord replied to him,
“In that case, whoever kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.”
And he placed a mark on Cain so that whoever found him would not kill him.
“Punishment” can also mean “sin.”
“bear” has an alternate meaning of “forgive.”
Cain either said his punishment was too great to bear or asked God if his sin was too great to forgive.
Instead of showing any sign of remorse or guilt, Cain was more concerned about his well-being.
He appeared to be complaining about God’s curse, not begging for forgiveness.
The thought of his fate was overwhelming.
Cain saw this punishment as a potential death sentence.
God showed grace to Cain.
the Mark of Cain was an act of God’s mercy and grace.
When we dishonor God and His commands, it leads to contempt for God’s creation- including other people.
Review these points from this week’s Bible passage:
Discuss why it’s important that believers take personal responsibility for their sin.
Encourage adults to list some things that hinder them from taking personal responsibility.
Guide the group to discuss ways God shows grace even in His just punishment.
Lead a time of silent prayer,
encouraging the group to ask God to reveal any unconfessed sin in their own lives and to confess that sin to God.
Reinforce the session by stopping to examine your own life to determine where jealousy or anger may be causing issues that you need to address or confess to God. Taking personal responsibility for one’s own actions is a key teaching in this lesson. Email or text the group to challenge them to consider where they are, or are not, taking personal responsibility for their sin.
Schedule S