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June 17, 2023

Make it or Break it

2 Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” —Genesis 4:2-7

  • Sacrifices and offerings in the Old Testament symbolized giving thanks to God and were intended to mend the relationship between people and God. This gets fully realized in the New Testament, through the death and resurrection of Jesus who was the ultimate sacrifice.

8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. —Genesis 4: 8-16

  • Anger
  • Forgiveness
  • Jealousy
  • Celebrating others

BIG IDEA: God made us different on purpose

TAKEAWAY: It’s never too late to start again. It’s never too late to find out exactly who God placed you on this earth to be.

Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever done something that you immediately wish you could take back? How often do you think about that mistake? Is there anything you learned from that mistake?
2. Is there a place in your faith journey that you feel like you could just be going through the motions? Possible in your giving? Worship? Attending on the weekends? How could you possibly be more intentional in those things?
3. Is there someone today you need to forgive? Is there someone in your life that you need to go and celebrate?

Table Discussion Questions:
God made us different on purpose. What unique qualities do you have that you feel are from the Lord? Do you ever wish you had a different talent because you think it’s better than the talent you were given? How does that make you feel? What are some ways that you can view your own gifts and talents as special instead of comparing yourself to others?