Introduction for: Lesson 01-03

Cain & Abel

The Big Idea (Textual Principle):
God’s mission moves forward when we worship Him the right way.

Genesis 4

Biblical Virtue (Timeless Principle)
Right Worship & Self‑Control – We give God our best and control our anger.

Memory Verse

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Matthew 22:37

Cain & Abel

Bible Text: Genesis 4

Answer the following questions:

After asking these for yourself, you will be ready to ask these questions of the students after you tell the story.
Question Answer
What did you like in the story?  
What did you not like in the story? 
What does the story teach you about God? 
What does the story teach you about mankind? 
What might the Lord be calling you to do after hearing this story? 

Teacher Soft Skills Development

Create 5 Questions and answers to thoughtfully review the text.
Question Answer
Who  
What  
When  
Where  
Why  
How  

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Classroom Sequence for Cain & Abel (Genesis 4)

#1 Welcome the Students

AHello students, please sit down and stay quiet for prayer.”

BPray and praise God for a beautiful day, and
ask God to bless the teacher and students.

#2 Rules Review

Use the rules chart to remind everyone to sit, listen, watch, put away their toys/personal items, and have fun.

#3 Music

Sing two or more joyful songs.

#4 Five-Finger Prayer Time

Thumb
Praise God for His
worthy character

Index Finger
Confess sins

Middle Finger
Thank God for
His great care

Ring Finger
Pray for those
who are weak
or in need

Pinky
Pray for my own
needs

#5 Bible Time

Use the rules chart to remind everyone to sit, listen, watch, avoid toys, and have fun.

#6 Story Time

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Start by sharing the big idea: “God’s mission moves forward when we worship Him the right way.”

Engage: Have two baskets, one filled with fresh fruit/toys, the other with broken crayons/old scraps. Show both baskets and ask: “Which one would you give to someone you love?” Explain that Abel gave his best to God, but Cain didn’t—and that made a big difference.

Expound: Tell the Story (5-10 minutes)
1. Mention the historical situation.
2. Begin: “This is a true story from God’s
Word.”
3. Tell accurately with gestures/pictures.
(Accurate/Transferable/Contextual/Short)

Explain (Before or after the story – not during):
1. Share insights and biblical principles.
2. Compare with Jesus or NT when appropriate.
3. Identify Christian virtue(s): Right Worship & Self‑Control – We give God our best and control our anger. 
4. Apply an example to real life.

Note: Learning to read the full passage and accurately retell a short version is part of the personal development of the teacher.

#7 Expand

Do 2 or 3 of the following as time permits. The teacher does not have to do everything listed – just choose according to the time permitted.

A. Retell the Story so the students can memorize it.

If possible, tell the story again so the students can memorize it.

B. Craft
Materials Needed

  • White cardstock or construction paper (base sheet)

  • Pre-cut arrows (one green, one red)

  • Heart cutouts (one whole, one broken)

  • Glue sticks or tape

  • Markers or crayons

Steps

  1. Prepare the Base

    • Give each child a sheet of paper with a circle at the bottom (representing themselves).

    • Explain that everyone has choices to make in life.

  2. Add the Arrows

    • Provide a green arrow pointing left and a red arrow pointing right.

    • Glue them onto the paper so they branch out from the circle.

    • Talk about how one path leads to good choices (like Abel) and the other to bad choices (like Cain).

  3. Attach the Hearts

    • At the end of the green arrow, glue a whole heart.

    • At the end of the red arrow, glue a broken heart.

    • Explain that following God’s way brings love and peace, while disobedience leads to hurt and brokenness.

  4. Decorate and Personalize

    • Let children color the arrows, add stickers, or write words like “Love,” “Obey,” “Forgive” on the green path, and “Hurt,” “Sin,” “Anger” on the red path.

    • Encourage them to write their name in the circle at the bottom to show that they are the ones making choices.

C. Total Physical Response

Story MomentTeacher TPR CommandsExpected Student Actions
Cain and Abel bring offerings“Hold out your hands with a GIFT!” / “Show your BEST gift high!” / “Show a leftover gift low.”Students lift hands high for best gift, hold hands low for leftovers.
God accepts Abel’s offering“Smile BIG! Clap with joy!”Students smile and clap.
God does not accept Cain’s offering“Frown… look upset.”Students frown, cross arms, look frustrated.
Cain grows jealous“Make a jealous face… stomp your foot!”Students act jealous, stomp.
God warns Cain“Hold up a STOP sign with your hand!”Students raise hand like a stop sign.
Cain hurts Abel“Pretend to push… then look sad.”Students gently push air, then look down sadly.
God speaks to Cain“Cup your ear… listen carefully.”Students cup ear, lean in.
Cain is sent away“Walk slowly away… look down.”Students walk a few steps with heads lowered.