Oct. 21, 2012 - "Actions and Attitudes" - The Story of Cain and Abel

Today's class  began with a review of last week’s lesson, ‘Trouble in Eden’ regarding Adam and Eve, satan and sin.    After the lesson review, some time was spent discussing classroom behavior, encouraging students that they should be strong, not weaklings.   The students are all familiar with the class-rules on talking to each other and not paying attention (in our class, being attentive is referred to as being “Locked-in and Focused”).   The policy of ‘three strikes and you’re out’ and an ‘in-house suspension’ from class were announced and discussed.   The discussion was positive, however, since it was early in the class before any discipline problems occurred, and it affirmed my positive expectation about the students.

Lesson 6 from Bible Adventures studies Genesis, chapter 4. It covered the sacrifices brought to God by Cain and Abel, God’s dealing with Cain about his sacrifice, and the murder of Abel.    The issue at the heart of all the problems was Cain’s attitude, which was prideful and jealous of Abel.  Cain did not accept the warning that God gave him -- that his attitude would lead to sin.   God punished Cain for murdering his brother.   The class discussion covered questions about the details of this incident, including the two different sacrifices, why sacrifices were made, Cain’s attitude, and the other people on the earth that Cain was afraid of (thinking that he, too, would become a murder victim).   

After the discussion on the lesson, there was Memory Verse practice for this week’s verse, Revelation 3.19a, where Jesus spoke to the Church at Laodicea, saying “Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.”   This verse is assigned because it addresses God’s character -- He loves us, so He corrects us, including imposing punishment.   Hebrews 12:11 (shown below) teaches that “later on” the love and grace of God does become evident, because of its positive long-term benefits.   But there is a condition that must be met for this to become evident.  We must be trained by the rebuke and discipline.   Cain did not receive any training from God’s rebuke of his sacrifice and the warning about sin.  So he later went out and committed murder.   The Lesson Focus is that we can make the right choice.  We can choose the right attitude when corrected.

"No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12: 11 (HCSB)


The Memory Verse assigned this week is  Revelation 3: 19.    (Jeremlah 29: 11. is the new Emphasis Memory Verse -- for the month of October.  This verse can also be said for Achievement Points credit.)