We need to say we are sorry and be calm even if we don’t want to be. When we get angry, don’t have self-control, and don’t obey, we can remember from this story that bad things will happen. That is really sad because God knows everything. He was angry that God liked Abel’s offering but didn’t like his.īut it gets worse! God knew what Cain had done yet Cain lied to God about it. Instead of having peace with his brother, Cain was jealous of Abel. Are you surprised? I am too! Show me the surprised face. Instead of making the right choice, Cain was so angry that he hurt his brother Abel! He hurt him really bad. Instead of Cain asking forgiveness, he got angry. God knew that Cain did not bring his best gift to God and God was sad by Cain’s offering. Show me the happy face.Ĭain brought fruit and vegetables as an offering to God. This made God very happy because God knew that Abel loved and trusted Him. Just like we take money to church to give to God, Cain and Abel brought gifts to God.Ībel brought the best lamb he had for God. He liked to plant seeds and watch them grow and produce yummy fruit and vegetables.Ībel was a shepherd. While Cain and Abel are brothers, they are very different.Ĭain was the oldest and he was a farmer. They are the sons are Adam and Eve – the first man and woman God created. Show me the surprised face.Īnd there is happiness. The first consequence: the blood of murder victims is soaked up by the soil and. Today’s story is filled with a lot of emotions. Cains crime is a little lesson in the mechanics and consequences of violence. Also, use flannelgraph (40, 54) or puppets to represent Cain and Abel. Discuss how God asks us to give an offering to Him just like He asked Cain and Abel to.Ĭolor and cut out the faces on the Teaching Emotions printable (in the 4 Year Workbook), and then glue onto popsicle sticks for strength. Allow the child to fill the envelope with money to give to God during the church offering.
He asks that we give back to Him through tithing with a happy heart. The main point behind tithing is that all we have is God's and not ours. This is story of anger, lacking self-control, disobedience, and trying to hide the truth from God. For me, this story is more than just murder. Thus in my mind, there is not a reason to explain it to preschoolers. The concept of death and finality of it isn't a concept grasped until elementary age.
I won’t hazard a guess at which boy learned from which parent you be the judge of that Perhaps Eve expected Cain, her first son, to be the fulfillment of God’s promise in 3:15.
Cain learned the lessons of disbelief and disobedience.
When I teach this story to children, I use the words "hurt him very, very bad." I believe this is easier for children to relate to anyway. Abel managed to learn about what sacrifices to make to God, and how to worship. ABCJLM Bible Coloring Sheets: Cain and Abel - Discussing Murder with Preschoolers: I believe there is a very fine line between sugar coating and giving a child more information than he/she is emotionally ready for.