More On Cain And Abel

I am teaching Sunday school ages 5-11. I am going to teach the story of Cain and Abel but, I’m not having a good understanding of it myself or I may be thinking too deep into the story. I don’t want them to get more confused. What offering was God initially looking for from Cain?

Q. I am teaching Sunday school ages 5-11. I am going to teach the story of Cain and Abel but, I’m not having a good understanding of it myself or I may be thinking too deep into the story.

When I get asked question why wasn’t Cain’s offering accepted is there an easy way for me to explain it or do I have to go deep into the whole thing about blood sacrifices. I don’t want them to get more confused. What offering was God initially looking for from Cain?

A. You don’t have to go into the whole blood sacrifice issue. Abel brought an acceptable sacrifice and Cain didn’t. God told Cain that if he did the right thing he’d be accepted like Abel was. So God was looking for the same kind of sacrifice that Abel had brought, because that’s what He had taught them.

But it’s not the sacrifice that’s important, it’s the principle, and that’s what you should focus on. If we do the right thing we’ll be accepted by God. What’s the right thing for us to do? That’s what the people asked Jesus and here’s what He told them:

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29).

It’s a great opportunity to share the simplicity of the Gospel.