In the opening chapters of the Bible we find the story of the two brothers, the children of Adam and Eve. Theirs is a story of how jealousy led to anger, causing one brother to turn against the other.

Read more about this story in Genesis 4:1-8.

Think About it

Have you ever been so angry that you wanted to hit or seriously injure someone? Have you ever said – or even thought to yourself – “I hate that person!”

Cain was so angry that he could not control or hide his feelings. When have you been in such a situation? Why was Cain so angry? Do you think he had a right to be angry?

What makes you that angry? List them on a sheet of paper.

Sometimes we don’t immediately anticipate the consequences of our anger. Do you think Cain really planned to kill his brother? Why or Why not? Do you think he was fully aware of the consequences of his anger? When have you reacted out of anger, causing more harm than you expected? What happened after the anger had taken its toll? What were the consequences? 

Now read Genesis 4.9-16. Do you think Cain’s punishment for killing Abel was appropriate? Just right? Too severe? What punishment would you place on Cain in this situation? From your reading of Genesis 4, what do you think was the hardest part of the punishment for Cain to bear?

We know that Cain was angry with Abel. What feelings do you think God had toward Cain?

Why do you think God protected Cain?

Pray about it

Lord God, I know it is all too easy for me to become so angry that I feeling like hurting others. Teach me to take responsibility for my anger and my feelings of hatred. Guard me from sinning and protect me from seeking revenge when others do me wrong. Amen.