Overview Creation The Garden of Eden The First Sin Cain and Abel The Tower of Babel God's Promises to Abram Sarah is Promised a Child The Sacrifice of Isaac Hagar & Ishmael Isaac & Rebekah Esau & Jacob Jacob's Dream Jacob gets Two Wives Jacob Wrestles Joseph, his Colourful Coat, and his Dreams Joseph's Brothers Forgiven

Bible Texts:

Genesis 3

 

Children's Bible Story sources:

"Cain and Abel," DK Children's Illustrated Bible, p.22

"Cain and Abel," DK Children's Everyday Bible, p.15

 

 

Children's Story Resources

 

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

An apple tree and a boy are friends. In his childhood, the boy enjoys playing with the tree, climbing her trunk, swinging from her branches, and eating her apples. However, as time passes he starts to make requests of the tree.

 

How these stories are connected: The apple tree not only gave to the boy, she gave her best and she gave her all. The story of Cain and Abel tells how how God delights when we do the same. These stories encourage us to give our whole selves to one another and to God in friendship and trust.

 

Questions about The Giving Tree:

     What did the tree give the boy first?

     What did the boy do with it?

     What else did the tree give and the boy do?

     Why do you think the tree kept giving?

 

Questions about the Bible story:

     What happened to Abel?

     Why do you think Cain killed his brother?

     Why do you think Cain didn’t want to do his best?

 

Questions about our lives:

     The tree always did the best it could; what is “the best” you can do? 

     What do you have to give to the people you love?

     Who in your life wants you to do your best? 

     Why do people want you to do your best?

 

Prayer

Thank you God, for asking us to do our best, and for loving us no matter what happens. Help us to do our best, even when things are hard for us. Amen.