Lesson 4 of 17 · Genesis 4:1-12
The Penetration of Evil: Religion Kills
Follow evil from the Fall into Cain's worship, anger, murder, and refusal to repent, while hearing God's warning that sin crouches at the door.
Lesson video
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Required course reading
Genesis 4:1-12 - The Penetration of Evil
Read: The Infiltration of Evil through the end of the chapter
PDF pages: 143-156 · About 23 minutes
Concentrate on Cain’s worship, anger, refusal to repent, and the widening influence of evil.
Optional deeper reading: The Basic Worldview and Connecting Genesis 3 and 4 (PDF pages 137-142 · about 9 minutes).
Use the PDF or EPUB course book supplied after confirmed enrollment. In the EPUB, follow the chapter and section titles because page numbers vary by device.
Introduction
Prepare for the lesson
Genesis 4 shows that sin does not remain private. Cain brings worship without humble faith, resists God's warning, kills his brother, and refuses honest responsibility. Religion cannot hide an unbelieving heart.
Learning objectives
- Trace the movement of sin from inward anger to outward violence.
- Explain why worship must arise from faith and obedience.
- Recognize God's warning and gracious call before sin masters the heart.
- Practice honest confession rather than blame and self-protection.
Lesson outline
Follow the main teaching
Two offerings and two hearts
Cain and Abel approach God, but their responses reveal different attitudes of faith.
Anger at God and brother
Cain refuses correction and allows resentment to control him.
Sin crouching at the door
God warns Cain that sin desires mastery and must be resisted.
Murder and moral collapse
Unrepented anger erupts into violence against Abel.
Accountability, judgment, and mercy
God confronts Cain, judges him, and yet restrains immediate revenge.
Class discussion
Reflect and apply
- What did Cain's response to God reveal about his heart?
- How does anger become spiritually dangerous?
- What does it mean that sin crouches at the door?
- Why is blame a poor substitute for repentance?
- Where do you need to heed God's warning before sin grows?