Two Paths: The Lineage of Cain and Seth-October 1, 2023

Introduction: The Great Family Race!

Good morning everyone! Are you all excited to be here? I know I am! Today, we're going to take you on a thrilling adventure through time—right from the very first family to Noah's Ark!

But before we dive into that, how many of you have ever been in a race? Can I see some hands? Great!

Now, imagine a relay race, where you pass the baton to the next person. But in this race, you're not just passing a baton—you're passing down faith, values, and life lessons! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

So, we're calling today's message "The Great Family Race," and here's the twist: it's a race that's been going on for thousands of years! In fact, some of the racers are people you've heard of—like Adam, Cain, Abel, Seth, and Noah.

And guess what? You and I are also in this race! We're going to find out what baton they passed down, whether it was good or not-so-good, and what we should be passing down to the next runners—that's you, kids!

To make it super fun, we have trivia questions for kids at each main point, so listen carefully; you might win a prize! 🎁

Are you ready? On your marks, get set, let's go explore the tales of the world's oldest relay race! 🚀

II. Problems Between Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16)

A. The Differing Offerings (Genesis 4:1-5)

Genesis 4:1–5 ESV

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

Abel's acceptable offeringCain's unacceptable offering

Just like in the garden. God gave a clear direction and asked Cain and Abel to simply obey.

B. God's Warning and Cain’s Response (Genesis 4:6-16)

Genesis 4:6–16 ESV

6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

1. God's Warning to Cain (Genesis 4:7)

Genesis 4:7 ESV

7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

Introduction to the Warning

God directly confronts Cain about his negative emotions.

The Nature of the Warning

"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it."

The Choice Given

Cain has a choice to make: to do well and be accepted or let sin overtake him.

Kid's Corner: "The Right Choice Game"

Trivia Question for Kids: What was God's warning to Cain? Was it to do well or to go ahead and be angry?

2. Cain's Murder of Abel and His Curse (Genesis 4:8-12)

The Tragic Act

Cain ignores God's warning and kills his brother Abel.

The Confrontation and Curse

God questions Cain and then curses him for his actions: he will be a fugitive and a wanderer.

The Consequences

The earth will no longer yield its strength to Cain; his actions have lasting implications.

C. Insights: The Heart of the Matter

God's Criteria

It's not just about the offering but the heart and obedience behind it.

Life Lesson

We must strive for a heart that is obedient to God's word.

Kid's Corner: "Heart Check-up"

Trivia Question for Kids: What does God look at when we give Him something? Does He look at how big our gift is or does He look at our hearts?

Trivia Question for kids: What were the jobs of Cain and Abel?

How to make Genealogies in the Bible not boring.

First of all, Genealogies are list of family names in the Bible.

Secondly, what should you notice when you are reading a long list of names? Look for the times something different happens. When ever you see something different happening, pay attention because it’s mentioned for a reason.

III. The Genealogy of Cain (Genesis 4:17-24)

A. Cain's Descendants (Genesis 4:17-24)

Development of cities and arts (Genesis 4:17-22)

Genesis 4:17–22 ESV

17 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mehujael, and Mehujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. 20 Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22 Zillah also bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.

B. The Curse Multiplies (Genesis 4:23-24)

Genesis 4:23–24 ESV

23 Lamech said to his wives: “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say: I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 24 If Cain’s revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech’s is seventy-sevenfold.”

Lamech’s song and the escalation of sin

Insight: Ungodliness can pass down generations (1 John 3:12)

1 John 3:12 ESV

12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Trivia Question for kids: What did Cain’s descendents build?

IV. The Lineage of Seth (Genesis 4:25-26)

Genesis 4:25–26 ESV

25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.

A. Seth: A New Beginning (Genesis 4:25)

The meaning of Seth’s name

His name means “appointed” or “Put.” He was appointed as a replacement.

B. The Birth of Enosh and Worship (Genesis 4:26)

Genesis 4:26 ESV

26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.

Beginning of calling upon the name of the Lord

Insight: God offers renewal through Seth's line.

Trivia Question for kids: What does Seth’s name mean?

V. Adam Through Seth to Noah (Genesis 5:1-32)

A. Ages and Death (Genesis 5:1-32)

Introduction of the Genealogy

This section opens with the genealogy of Adam, establishing the lineage through which humanity continued.

Genesis 5:1 ESV

1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.

Longevity of Life

The characters mentioned in this genealogy lived for extraordinarily long periods, some nearly a millennium.

Repetition of Death

Almost every entry in the genealogy ends with the phrase “then he died,” emphasizing the reality of mortality after the Fall.

Significance of Methuselah

Methuselah, the son of Enoch, lived for 969 years, dying around the time of the flood. His age and the timing of his death could have prophetic implications.

Introduction of Noah

Lamech, the father of Noah, prophetically or expectantly names his son "Noah," indicating that he would bring comfort and relief to humanity.

Chronological Calculations

Adding up the ages mentioned leads to a span of 1,656 years from creation to the flood, assuming there are no gaps in the genealogy.

Foreshadowing the Flood

The genealogy serves as a precursor to the flood narrative, showcasing the longevity of human life before the cataclysmic event.

Trivia Question for kids: Who lived the longest in the genealogy?

B. The Exception of Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5)

Genesis 5:21–24 ESV

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 ESV

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.

Enoch’s walk with God and his ascension

Insight: Faithfulness can break the cycle of death (1 Thess. 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-52)

Trivia Question for kids: What was special about Enoch?

VI. Conflict Between the Godly and the Ungodly (Genesis 6:1-8)

A. The Sons of God and Daughters of Men (Genesis 6:1-4)

Genesis 6:1–4 ESV

1 When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown.

Introduction

Introduce the puzzling and controversial topic of the "sons of God" marrying the "daughters of men."

Who Are the Sons of God?

Discuss the various interpretations of who the "sons of God" might be.

Angelic beings Godly lineage Dynastic rulers

Who Are the Daughters of Men?

Explain the general consensus that these are human women, possibly from the ungodly line of Cain.

The Result: Nephilim

Talk about the enigmatic figure of the Nephilim, and their role in the story.

Controversial Interpretations

Discuss how this passage has been a subject of debate, citing implications from New Testament references (1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:4).

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

Judgment and Consequences

Conclude by highlighting how these unions led to increased wickedness and ultimately to God's judgment through the flood.

B. God's Grief and Judgment (Genesis 6:5-8)

Genesis 6:5–8 ESV

5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Introduce the dire situation humanity finds itself in and the contrast between Noah and his contemporaries.

1. The Depravity of Man's Heart (Genesis 6:5)

Genesis 6:5 ESV

5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Discuss how the "sons of God" and "daughters of men" led to a society filled with wickedness.Explore what the Bible means when it says that "every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time."

The "Heart Check"

Ask children to think about a time they did something good and a time they did something they shouldn't have.Explain how even our hearts need a "check-up" to make sure we are kind and good like God wants us to be.

2. God's Grief Over His Creation (Genesis 6:6)

Genesis 6:6 ESV

6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

Discuss how God is not emotionless; He was grieved and filled with pain.Explore the theological implications of God "regretting" His creation.

Trivia Question for kids: How did God feel about the sinfulness of mankind?

3. Noah Finds Favor (Genesis 6:8)

Introduce Noah as the antithesis to the wickedness around him.Discuss what it means to find "favor" in the eyes of God.

Genesis 6:8 ESV

8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

God's Patience Has a Limit (2 Peter 3:9)

1 Peter 3:9 ESV

9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Expand on the New Testament insight that God is patient but also just.Highlight that while God wishes for none to perish, His patience does have an end.

Paitence and justice....even the most paitent parent will eventually bring discipline/judgement.

VII. Applications

A. Importance of Godly Relationships

Proper marriage as a foundation (1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14-18)

B. Obedience to God’s Word

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

C. The Role of Grace in Salvation

God's grace enables escape from judgment

VIII. Passing the Faith to the Next Generation

A. The Importance of Legacy

Defining Legacy

Discuss what legacy means in a biblical context.

Biblical Examples of Legacy

Mention characters like Abraham, Moses, and David who left a lasting legacy.

Impact on Future Generations

Discuss how one's legacy can impact future generations for good or bad.

B. The Power of Living Faith

Defining Living Faith

Explain what it means to have a "living" faith as opposed to a stagnant or dead faith.

The Role of Faith in Legacy

Discuss how a living faith is key to leaving a positive legacy.

Biblical Examples of Living Faith

Mention characters like Noah, Daniel, and the Apostles who demonstrated living faith.

The Interconnection

Discuss how legacy and living faith are not mutually exclusive but deeply interconnected. One fuels the other.

"Connect the Dots"

Use a connect-the-dots worksheet to show how individual acts of faith contribute to a larger picture (legacy).

IX. Conclusion: The Power of Choices and Legacies

A. The Big Picture

Recap of Cain and Abel

We learned about two brothers who made very different choices and how those choices affected not just them, but generations to come.

God's Warnings and Our Choices

Remember, God gives us warnings and choices, just like He did with Cain. What we decide to do can change not just our day, but our whole lives and even the lives of those around us.

B. The Lasting Impact

The Importance of a Godly Legacy

We've talked about legacies and the importance of making choices that lead us closer to God, not farther away. Every choice we make can be a stepping stone in building a God-honoring legacy.

The Power of Living Faith

Faith isn't just believing; it's living out what we believe every single day. That's what makes a legacy strong and lasting.

D. Final Thoughts

You're Never Too Young or Old

Remember, you're never too young or too old to start making good choices and building a strong legacy of faith.

God's Grace

And even when we mess up, God's grace is there to give us another chance. So let's be like Abel, like Seth, like Noah, and like Enoch, walking faithfully with God and leaving a legacy that lasts!

Closing Prayer

Let's pray for the wisdom and courage to make God-pleasing choices and build legacies that honor Him.

"Dear Lord, give us the grace, wisdom, and courage to live lives pleasing to You. May our choices reflect Your love, and may our legacies bring glory to Your name. Amen."

And that wraps up our journey through the legacies of Cain and Seth, their differing paths, and the life-changing power of choices! Thank you for being such an amazing audience, both young and old! See you next week!