11/27/04 Cain and Abel

That was the lesson this morning for my second graders. Genisis 4. The point was supposed to be how to make good choices. James 1:19 was the memory verse. "Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger."
What they got however was a big lesson on why Cain's offering was not aceptable. -And when I say they I mean us. I was talking but I the lesson was from the Holy Spirit, cause I didnt know the stuff coming out of my mouth! I love it when that happens but its a little weird in the middle. Teaching and learning at the same time. Anyway the point was that Cains offering sounded better to us. He worked hard and gave the Lord the first fruits of his labor. We all kinda felt sorry for Cain when the Lord didn't "look with favor" on it. But the Lord explained that it wasn't preference for Abel but for Abel's faith in his offering. (Hew 11:4) The Lord makes it clear that Cain new what was right. Bottom line just like the clothes of fig leaves of thier parents Cain's work was not sufficient. God made Adam and Eve clothes of animal skins. The point is that sin leads to death. Abel's offering involved the sacrifice of an innocent animal and was made in faith that it could be used as a covering for his sin. Cain's was a sacrifice of his work and we are not saved by our works. It is a glorious and wonderful thing that God did not accept Cain's offering or we would all be working our tails off to try and keep up with our sin. God by only accepting Abels places the burden of reconciliation on himself. Thank you Lord. But we still have to "do right" and accept that our works are not enough, that we must place our faith in Christs offering that envolved a sacrifice of an innocent. A sacrifice of God.
This may have been a little over 2nd graders heads but I am sure it wasnt over thier hearts.