Genesis 4 

1. Eve’s words found in verse 1 might be translated in one of several ways.  Martin Luther understood her to say: “I have gotten a man, the Lord.”  If this is a correct understanding of Eve’s words, what does it say about her faith? 
   
    
2. Hebrews 11:4,6a reads: By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did.  By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke will of his offerings.  And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  What was the key difference between Cain and Abel and the reason one’s offering was acceptable to God while the other’s was not? 
   
    
3. Briefly explain one or more of the following Scriptural principles for giving offerings. 
   
   ·         Give in response to God’s love in Christ 
   
   ·         Give from a willing heart 
   
   ·         Give regularly 
   
    ·         Give proportionately to what God has given you 
   
    ·         Give to the Lord the first-fruits of your income 
   
    ·         Give personally, trusting the Lord 
   
     
4. Which of the following do you think comes closest to God’s warning in verse 7b?  Why? 
   
    ¨      “Cain, beware!  If you do not master your sinful anger, it will master you.”
   
    

¨      Understand, Cain, that if you do not fight against and control your sinful thoughts and feelings, they will ultimately lead you to sinful actions.”

 

¨      Repent, Cain!  With my help, put away sin.” 
 

5. With what judgment does God again attempt to lead Cain to repentance and to an understanding of his sin? 
   
    
6. Can you see signs of impenitence on the part of Cain in verses 13-14 and 17?  In spite of this, what did God do for Cain? 
   
    
7. Martin Luther felt that in verse 13 Cain might have meant, “My guilt is greater than can be forgiven.”  Have you ever felt this way?  If so, where do you find comfort?