Lesson Four: Righteous Abel
Lesson Aim: Learn important lessons for life from the experiences of Abel.
Lesson Text: Genesis 4:1-8 NKJV Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the LORD.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” 8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
Memory Verse: Hebrews 11:4
Lesson Readings:
- Genesis 4:1-25
- Matthew 12:35
- Luke 11:51
- Hebrews 11:4; 12:24
Fact Questions:
- What do Adam and Eve call their second born son? What does it mean?
Genesis 4:2 NKJV Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. - What vocation in life did Abel follow?
Genesis 4:2 NKJV Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. - What did Abel bring as an offering to the Lord?
Genesis 4:4 NKJV Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering. - Unto what did God have “respect”? What does this mean?
Genesis 4:4 NKJV Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering. - On what basis did Abel offer this sacrifice?
Hebrews 11:4 NKJV By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. - What made Abel’s sacrifice “more excellent” when compared to Cain’s?
Hebrews 11:4 NKJV By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. - Why does Jesus call Abel a “righteous” man?
Matthew 23:35 NKJV that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. - For what purpose were the offerings made?
Genesis 4:7 NKJV If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Hebrews 12:24 NKJV to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. - What happened to Abel?
Genesis 4:8 NKJV Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. - How did God regard the death of Abel?
Genesis 4:10 NKJV And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.; Luke 11:50-51 NKJV that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.
Thought Questions:
- Compare and contrast Cain and Abel.
- What does Abel “yet speak” even though he is dead?
Hebrews 11:4 NKJV By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. - Of whom is Abel a type?
Hebrews 12:24 NKJV to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. - Why did God accept the sacrifice of Abel and not the sacrifice of Cain?
- What is the one great lesson in Abel’s life for you?
