Cain and Abel

Cain & Abel

Wednesday, October 30th & Sunday, November 3rd

Key Passage: Genesis 4:1-14

Basic Truth: We cannot be acceptable to God without faith.

Memory Verse: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and the he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

Think about it: 

Down through the centuries, men and women who have rebelled against the commands of God have sunk farther and farther into the depths of depravity. The rulers of the communist nations, along with present-day terrorists and our own mass murderers, provide all the proof necessary to those who have eyes to see.

Cain’s terrible act of murdering his own brother resulted from his determination to do his own will, rather than God’s will. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12)

Pray for your students to realize the disastrous consequences of putting their own way above God’s way.

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What is faith?

A: Faith is believing or being confident of what we cannot see.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why should we trust God? 

A: Everything God says is true. God says that we cannot be His friends unless we trust Him and do what He says.

Q: Did God have authority over Cain and Abel? Does He over us too?

A: Yes! God has authority over everything because he made it all!

Grade 3-4

Q: Why does our faith need to be in God?

A: We are ALL sinners and separated from God. He is the only One who can rescue us. Without faith in God, we will ignore His warnings and continue to sin. 

Q: Why is God the only One who can rescue sinners? 

A: All humans are born in sin and are guilty before God. No one can pay for his own sin or for the sins of another.

Q: Why did God accept Abel's offering and not Cain's?

A: Abel brought his offering by faith. Abel trusted and obeyed God. Cain did not bring his offering by faith (Hebrews 11:4)

Grade 5-6

Q: Why is God pleased when we put our faith in Him?

A: God is pleased when we recognize HIs authority and choose to trust Him and obey Him. 

Q: How does God's mercy and grace reveal His glory? 

A: No one else could show such love and kindness to such undeserving sinners! Everything God does reflects His glory!

Q: Why is faith so important? 

A: It leads to obedience. If you have true faith in God, you will obey Him because you trust His authority! 

Family Activities:

1) Discuss how offering an animal as a sacrifice would remind people that sin brings death. If they recognized their sin and believed God's promises, God agreed to accept the death of the animal as a temporary substitute for their sin. 

2) Do we need a sacrifice today? (YES! God Himself provided a Lamb!)

To see all of Lesson 9 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

God's Judgement and Promised Rescue

God's Judgement and Promised Rescue

Wednesday, October 23rd & Sunday, October 27th

Key Passage: Genesis 3:9-24

Basic Truth: Only God can rescue sinners.

Memory Verse: He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Psalm 103:10

Think about it:

In times of great calamity, whether fires, floods or earthquakes, we are so thankful when someone comes to our rescue.  To be of help, a rescuer must be both willing and able to save us.

Think about this: As born sinners, we face the full wrath of Almighty God. 

Think about this: He still loves us, even in our rebellion! 

And think about this: He was willing to permit His sinless Son to pay the awful price of shedding His blood at Calvary to rescue us from the otherwise sure result of our sin. 

Take time to reflect on the greatness of God’s love – and be overwhelmed with gratitude!  “…God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8)

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: What word does this verse describe?

A: Making a way for us to escape the punishment we deserve for our sins is mercy.

Grade 1-2

Q: Why do we need to be rescued?

A: Because of our sin, we deserve to be punished. We will be separated from God forever without God's mercy and grace

Q: Did Satan succeed in ruining God's friendship with man?

A: No! God still loved Adam and Eve. He promised to send a special chosen one, someone who would rescue them from the punishment they deserved. God can repair the damage that Satan has caused.

Q: Who can rescue us? Can you rescue yourself? 

A: God's promised Messiah rescues us! We can't save ourselves. 

Grade 3-4

Q: Why is God the only One who can rescue sinners?

A: All humans are born in sin and are guilty before God. No one can pay for his own sin or for the sin of others. We are helpless without God's promised Messiah.

Q: What do the words mercy and grace mean? 

A: Mercy: God's provision for sinners to escape the punishment they deserve. Grace: God's kindness that is not deserved. 

Q: Have you ever disobeyed God? Do you deserve the same punishment Adam and Eve deserved: separation from God? 

A: Yes! Romans 3:23

Grade 5-6

Q: Why does God rescue sinners?

A: God rescues sinners because of who He is! God's greatness and excellence do not change based on mankind's behavior. His promise to rescue undeserving sinners reveals His unchanging glory. 

Q: What was the Messiah chosen to do? 

A: He was chosen to destroy Satan forever and rescue sinners

Q: Does God see and know everything you do wrong? 

A: Hebrews 4:13. God sees everything! He knows every sinful word, deed, or thought you've had. He knows how sinful we are!

Family Activities:

1) Read and talk about Psalm 51:1-5. What's the only way to deal with sin? 

2) Ask forgiveness from God and any family member where there has been an offense. 

To see all of Lesson 8 click the links below:

Grade 1-2

Grade 3-4

Grade 5-6

Adam and Eve Disobeyed God

Welcome back! We hope you've enjoyed your summer and the beginning of the new school year. Here you will find information on the lessons that we teach each Sunday and Wednesday. You'll also find resources and other important information you may need to know. We hope you will take time to go over the questions and activities with your kids, it's a perfect way to reinforce what they are learning here at Penn Valley. Enjoy!

Adam & Eve Disobeyed God

Wednesday, October 16th & Sunday, October 20th

Key Passage: Genesis 3:1-8

Basic Truth: God gave mankind the ability to choose.

Memory Verse: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

Think about it:

We don’t like fences in our way! Our sinful nature instinctively rebels against anything limiting our perceived pleasures - any barrier raised by God or man.  The old cowboy song, “Don’t Fence Me In!” strikes a responsive chord in each of us.

Not all man-made fences are erected for our welfare. But devoted parents, dedicated teachers and officers of the law are instruments of God, meant to help us control our proud rebellion, and to stay on His “small and narrow” path to blessing.  Above all of these stands the limiting cautions of the Bible, empowered by the Holy Spirit: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21)

Pray that God will reveal the rebellion of our hearts and teach us to listen to His voice.

Ask it:

All Levels

Q: How can things that seem right be so bad?

A: Satan deceives us and distorts our thinking. 

Grade 1-2

Q: How can we know what is right?

A: Satan will lie and try to deceive us, but God will always tell us the truth. If we listen to God we can choose what is right.

Q: What happens when we choose not to follow God's way? 

A: Death (spiritual) - separated from God. 

Q: Why do you think Adam rejected God's authority? Why do we sometimes reject God's authority?

A: He didn't like it, wanted to decide for himself. We can feel the same way Adam did sometimes!

Grade 3-4

Q: What are the consequences of sin? 

A: Sin brings death and destruction, separating us from God and from others as well.

Q: What are some real life consequences of this? 

A: punishment, friction, tears, anger, fighting...sin causes all kinds of trouble!

Q: Why did Adam and Eve not die right away if sin brings death?

A: Sin doesn't bring physical death necessarily, but spiritual death. They didn't physically die right away, but they were separated from God because God can't tolerate sin because He is Holy.

Grade 5-6

Q: Why should we choose God's way?

A: God tells us what is right and good. Choosing to reject His authority brings death and destruction. 

Q: Why does God have authority to say what's right and what's wrong?

A: Read Psalm 100:3. God is the owner and highest authority over everything.

Q: Read Proverbs 14:12. What are some things that can look appealing or desirable but are really lies and tricks to get us to sin?

A: getting things I want, having my own way...etc. 

Family Activities: 

1) Talk about Satan's desire to destroy your family. What choices are being made that may be damaging to your family? Encourage each family member to think about choices that would be God's way instead of Satan's way.

2) Pray for God's wisdom and protection for your family. 

To see all of Lesson 7 click the links below:

Grade 1-2
Grade 3-4
Grade 5-6