GENESIS 4

Opening question

How do people explain what is wrong with the world? How do those explanations shape what they think will fix it?

Read Genesis 4.

  1. What stood out to you? What questions did the chapter raise?

  2. What do you think is behind Cain’s anger in verses 3–5? How does his frustration with God become hostility towards his brother?

  3. God describes sin as “crouching at your door” and wanting to master Cain. What does this picture tell us about sin’s danger? How does it challenge the idea that we can keep sin under control while leaving it in our lives?

  4. Look at Cain’s answers to God in verses 9 and 13–14. What seems to concern him most? Why can it be easier to complain about the consequences of sin than admit what we have done?

  5. Where do you see God showing mercy to Cain, both before and after the murder?

  6. After everything that has happened, what hope do the final two verses offer? What is different about calling on God rather than responding as Cain or Lamech does?


    Apply

  7. Is there a sin you tend to dismiss as harmless? How does God’s warning to Cain challenge that?

  8. Is there an area of anger, jealousy or resentment you have been making excuses for? What would it look like to take God’s warning seriously this week?

Read 1 John 1:8–9.

  1. What tends to stop you from admitting when you are wrong? How does God’s promise of forgiveness help you be honest with him and with those you have hurt?

    Pray