Family Devotion Idea: Cain

*About twice a month, we try to post the outline of a family devotion that you and your kids can do together. Carve out some time with your kids for a fun and creative discussion this week!

Teaching Goal:
Stop sin early before it leads to more sin.

Scripture:
Genesis 4:1-15 – story of Cain and the progression of his sin

James 4:7-8a “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

Materials:
Ballon
Marker
Safety pin

In Advance:
Write the word “SIN” in big letters with a marker on a deflated balloon.

Lesson and Discussion:
*Words that are written in bold are when you, the parent, are speaking. Feel free to use your own words.

Tell the story of Cain and Abel and discuss how Cain started out with one sin—not giving his best—and let it grow to anger, and then jealousy, and then hurting his brother. How did Cain’s sin continue to grow? What did he do to make it worse? What warning did God give him regarding his sin(s)? Genesis 4:7 “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

ACTIVITY:

Put a little air into the balloon. Watch Cain’s sin grow and grow! The air in the balloon represents his first sin—not giving God his best.

Blow more air into the balloon. When God corrected Cain for not giving his best, Cain sinned again by getting angry. Blow more air into the balloon. After getting angry, Cain sinned again by becoming jealous of his brother. Blow more air into the balloon. The balloon should be full to the bursting point. Finally, Cain got so mad that he hit and hurt his brother. Cain allowed sin to grow and grow in his life.

This balloon could explode just like Cain’s anger! Walk toward one of the children holding the balloon out in front of you. The child should naturally pull back. See how (name of child) pulled back! That is exactly what we need to do when we see sin in our lives. We need to flee and get away from sin.

How could Cain have handled his sin differently? After not bringing his best to God, Cain could have said he was sorry. This would keep his sin from growing into anger, jealousy, and hurting others. Let the air out of the balloon. Deal with sin immediately so it doesn’t blow up.

In the days ahead, when confronting sin (lying, stealing, whining, greed) say, I hope you don’t let your sin grow and explode like the balloon!

If you like this devotion idea, there are hundreds more available from Family Time Training. See the link on the right side of this page for more information.