Free Bible lesson for kids · In the Beginning
Cain and Abel
Adam and Eve’s sons were Cain, a tiller of the ground, and Abel, a keeper of sheep. Abel brought God the firstlings of his flock by faith (Hebrews 11:4), and the LORD had respect unto his offering; but Cain grew angry, did not rule over the sin lying at his door, and killed his brother. God asked, “Where is Abel thy brother?” and sent Cain away, yet in mercy set a mark upon him so that no one would kill him.
- Bible passage
- Genesis 4:1–16
- Big idea
- God sees our hearts, and He wants us to love one another.
- Memory verse
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:11 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
Adam and Eve had two sons. Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain was a tiller of the ground (Genesis 4:1–2). Cain brought the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought the firstlings of his flock (Genesis 4:3–4). Abel offered by faith, and the LORD had respect unto Abel and his offering, but not unto Cain’s. Cain was very angry (Genesis 4:4–5; Hebrews 11:4).
The LORD warned Cain that “sin lieth at the door,” and he must rule over it (Genesis 4:6–7). But Cain rose up against his brother in the field and killed him (Genesis 4:8). The LORD asked, “Where is Abel thy brother?” Cain answered, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). God sent Cain away as a wanderer, yet in mercy He set a mark on Cain so no one would kill him (Genesis 4:12, 15).
Read it in the Bible: Genesis 4:1–16 (KJV)
1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8And 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 slew him. 9And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; 12When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. 16And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Questions to ask
What did Cain and Abel each bring to the LORD?
Cain brought the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought the firstlings of his flock (Genesis 4:3–4).
What did God warn Cain about when he was angry?
Sin lieth at the door, and Cain must rule over it (Genesis 4:7).
What did God ask Cain afterward?
“Where is Abel thy brother?” (Genesis 4:9).
What this story teaches
- God looks at the giver as well as the gift (Genesis 4:4–5).
- God was pleased with Abel’s gift because he offered by faith (Hebrews 11:4).
- Anger can lead to sin if we do not rule it (Genesis 4:7).
- God knows what we have done, even when we hide it (Genesis 4:9–10).
- God shows mercy even when He must punish sin (Genesis 4:15).
Jesus Laid Down His Life
Cain took his brother’s life in anger. Jesus showed us true love: He laid down His life for us, and we should love others too.
1 John 3:16
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to help us put away anger and love our brothers and sisters. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God sees our hearts, and He wants us to love one another.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say 1 John 3:11 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 10 minutes
Find Your Brother
You need: Matching pairs of cards (two of each color or animal)
- Each child gets a card and must find the child with the matching card, their “brother” or “sister”.
- Pairs then hold hands and must stay together through a quick obstacle path.
- Mix up the cards and play again.
God asked, “Where is Abel thy brother?” God wants us to look out for one another.
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 20 minutes
At the Door
You need: Scenario cards about anger and jealousy
- Read Genesis 4:6–7: sin lies at the door, but you must rule over it.
- In small groups, read a scenario and plan a better response before anger wins.
- Share and pray for each other.
God warned Cain before it was too late. With God’s help, anger doesn’t have to win.
Pray
Ask God to help us put away anger and love our brothers and sisters.