Recognizing Who God Is and What He Expects (Genesis 4)

When have you had fun giving someone else a gift? What did you give them? Why was it fun? How did they respond?

When have you given someone a bad gift? What made it bad? How did you feel afterward?

What is the best gift you have ever given?

How do we give gifts to God? What kind of gifts does God want from us?

Read Genesis 4:1-5.

Why do you think Cain and Abel were offering these gifts?

Both Cain and Abel were offering the results of their own labor as gifts to God. Read the verses closely and discuss how their offerings were different. (What are the precise words used to describe each offering?)

Why do you think God accepted Abel's offering but not Cain's?

Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly instructed people that they should sacrifice the first and the best of their crops and flocks. Why do you think He wanted them to give up their first and best? How does that kind of offering point to Jesus?

Make a list of all the things in our lives we can offer to God. How would it look to offer the "first and best" of our lives to Him? Would this be easy or difficult? Why?

What are one or two first and best things you can offer this week? How can this offering help you become more Christlike, generous, or inviting?

How can the group pray for you and help you?

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