In the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, children are actively involved in worship alongside their parents and other adults. Children participate in the rituals and ordinances that comprise worship, starting with the first family. As we reflect on Adam and Eve's experience with their sons Cain and Abel, we are reminded of the profound role that family plays in the spiritual formation of children. The narrative of the first family models the importance of bringing gifts to God. 

Adam and Eve instilled the value of worshipping God in their sons, Cain and Abel. Although we meet them as adults in chapter 2, it's evident that their parents taught and modeled how to worship God to their sons.

When God covered Adam and Eve with the skin of an animal after their sin, it was a significant moment that foreshadowed the concept of sacrifice throughout the Bible. While the text does not explicitly mention a lamb being sacrificed, the act of blood being shed to cover their shame points towards the atonement required for sin. This symbolism is later fulfilled in the New Testament through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, referred to as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

By understanding this early example of covering through bloodshed, we can appreciate the depth of God's plan for redemption from the beginning, including the concept of the burnt offering. If Adam and Eve had not taught their sons the importance of giving gifts to God, how would they have learned this aspect of worship?

Abel, the sheepherder, gave the Lord the best of his flocks—the firstborn lambs. God accepted his gift. Cain, who worked the fields, also brought "some of his crops as a gift to the Lord," but his gift was rejected (Genesis 4:3-5). In a fit of jealousy, Cain killed Abel. The lesson learned is to give God our best, but that's not all. The underlying lesson answers these questions: How did Cain know to give a gift to God? How did Abel decide that God deserved the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock? Who taught them about God, and who demonstrated how to worship? They learned from their parents!

Application: While we rely on the church to provide an environment where our children grow in their faith, parents are the first teachers responsible for their children's spiritual formation. Parents are responsible for depositing faith in the next generation. As parents, are we modeling what it means to worship God outside church walls?

• Do our children see us reading our Bible daily during morning devotions?
• Do they hear us praying regularly at meals, in the evening, and throughout the day?
• Do we teach and encourage our children to memorize Scripture and explain its meaning?
• Are we living godly lives before our children to demonstrate that worship doesn't just occur on Sunday morning?

Conclusion: As we reflect on Adam and Eve's experience with their sons, this narrative encourages us to cherish family as the center for learning about God. Ultimately, the lesson of Adam and Eve and their sons teaches us that parents are responsible for modeling what it means to have a relationship with God. The church and school are not where teaching about the Lord begins. Teaching children to love and worship God starts at home.

Lesson Summary

As we delve into Genesis 4:1-18, we discover how Adam and Eve taught their children, Cain and Abel, the significance of presenting gifts to God.

• The first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch, involve children actively participating in worship alongside adults.
• Adam and Eve played a pivotal role in instilling the value of worshiping God in their sons, Cain and Abel.
• Though not directly seen in the text, the act of God clothing Adam and Eve with animal skins hinted at the concept of sacrifice required for sin.
• This symbolic act of covering through bloodshed points to the later fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God."
• Cain and Abel's story illustrates the importance of giving our best to God and highlights the critical role of parents as the first teachers of worship and faith.

Parents—not the church or school—are responsible for the spiritual formation of their children:

• They are tasked with modeling worship of God outside church settings and teaching the importance of daily practices, such as reading the Bible and praying.
• The account of Adam and Eve underscores that the heart of true worship begins at home.
• Parents need to deposit faith in the next generation through their actions, teachings, and examples.

Reflecting on Adam and Eve's interactions with their sons teaches us the crucial role parents play in demonstrating a relationship with God to their children. This encourages us to prioritize family as the primary place for learning about God and worship.

The narrative of Adam and Eve and their children prompts us to consider our roles as parents, guardians, or mentors in guiding the younger generation's faith journey. It emphasizes the importance of the home as the foundation for nurturing faith, Christian values, and God-honoring worship.

Lesson Plan

(Download the HBLT Handout)

OBJECTIVE: By the end of a 30-minute lesson on Genesis 4:1-18, we will agree that the first parents, Adam and Eve, taught their children to present gifts to God by examining Cain and Abel's offerings.

HOOK: Ask: Who were your first teachers? Why were their roles significant?

BOOK: We're all familiar with the account of Adam and Eve. How often do we view them not as people who disobeyed God but as parents who taught their children how to worship God? The account of Cain and Abel bringing gifts to God raises the question: How did they know to bring gifts to God unless their parents had taught them?

LOOK: Parents are our first teachers. If we grew up in a Christian home, what lessons did we learn about obeying, serving, or worshiping God from our parents?

TOOK: Parents are the first teachers to teach their children about God. Many sometimes feel inadequate, which is the enemy's way of discouraging them from exercising this most crucial influential role. We study, learn, and teach what we know. We don't leave the responsibility for teaching God's word to the church or school. The responsibility is ours!

SONG: "So Will I" by Hillsong, sung by Enni Francis and Kanaan Francis: https://youtu.be/xWv24NGPCOE?si=JQQ2qFQlJA2ZBzmg

COOK: Next week, we'll explore how the birth of a child can signal a new beginning!

Teacher Nugget: Does the church have a role in equipping parents to disciple their children? If so, what types of ministries and services might the church or parachurch ministries provide?

Children's Sermon: Learning At Home

Invite children aged 5 to 11 to the front of the church and ask them to sit in a semicircle. The pastor-teacher, with an open Bible and a puppet, sits at the opening of the semicircle and introduces the puppet, naming it to the children. After the puppet welcomes the children, they introduce themselves by saying their names. Next, ask the lesson questions; there are no wrong answers. Conclude this 10-minute children's sermon by giving children a craft project. They may return to their seats or go to a separate area where teens and adults assist in completing the project. Children present or display their crafts at the end of the service.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of a 10-minute lesson on Adam and Eve in Genesis 4:1–18, children will express gratitude to God for their parents, who are their first teachers, by creating thank-you cards.

MATERIALS: Pre-cut and folded construction paper or cardstock, stickers, colored pencils, and crayons.

HOOK: (Puppet) Did you have a good week? Did you learn anything new? Did your parents teach you? Why are moms and dads, grandparents, and caregivers the best to help us pray and read the Bible?

BOOK: In Genesis, the Bible's first book, Adam and Eve were the first parents. They taught their sons, Cain and Abel, how to give gifts to God. One did it right; the other did it wrong. God wants us to listen to our parents so that we can learn how to worship our Lord together.

LOOK: Why are parents such good teachers? If a parent wanted to teach us how to pray, how would they teach us to do so? What would they do?

TOOK: Isn't it wonderful having moms, dads, grandparents, and caregivers help us learn about God? Let's create a thank-you card to show them how much we appreciate them! Thank you for being such good listeners! (Pray a prayer of thanksgiving that parents are our first teachers. Then, release the children to design cards for their parents.)

SONG: "So Will I" by Hillsong, sung by Enni Francis and Kanaan Francis: https://youtu.be/xWv24NGPCOE?si=JQQ2qFQlJA2ZBzmg

COOK: Next week, we will talk about the hope and joy that children bring to everyone!