The Lord's Prayer
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of July 13, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Genesis 4:1-16 NLT
1Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the LORD’s help, I have produced a man!” 2Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel.
When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. 4Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, 5but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
6“Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
8One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
9Afterward the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”
“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
10But the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! 11Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood. 12No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.”
13Cain replied to the LORD, “My punishment is too great for me to bear! 14You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!”
15The LORD replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the LORD put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. 16So Cain left the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
Monday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, as we turn to a new week of study, I thank You that even though the message is sometimes somber, You have given us the truth in Your word, and not painted a picture that fails to live up to the realities of life. I pray this week as we study the lives of Cain and Abel, that You will show me the ways to walk in obedience as Abel did, and to repent when I sin instead of compounding it with more sin as was Cain’s way. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
1Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the LORD’s help, I have produced a man!” 2Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. Genesis 4:1-2 NLT
Why do you suppose that Eve gave credit to the Lord, for her ability to bear children?
What is the significance of the names Cain and Abel? (You’ll probably need to use a bible dictionary or the notes in your Bible to answer this one!)
Today’s Challenge: I will give God the credit He is due for His help in all I do that honors Him this day and through this week!
Tuesday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, as I go about this day, please empower me by Your Holy Spirit to give of the “firstfruits” of everything in my life and not the leftovers. May all that I am and all that I do bring You honor and praise, that others may see Your blessings and good works and be drawn to You! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the LORD. 4Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The LORD accepted Abel and his gift, 5but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. Genesis 4:2b-5 NLT
What do you see in the text that would show why Abel’s offering was accepted and Cain’s was rejected?
How would you have felt if you were in Cain’s position? What would you have done about it?
Today’s Challenge: I will offer the first and best in my life to the Lord!
Wednesday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, I confess that sometimes my response to my own sin and lack of effort is to lash out at others—either in my thoughts, words or actions. Forgive me, Lord, and draw me close to You that I may lay all my sins at the foot of the cross, and honor You in all that I am and do. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
6“Why are you so angry?” the LORD asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Genesis 4:6-7 NLT
Why was Cain angry? What was the Lord’s response to the anger?
What did God say was the way to overcome sin?
Today’s Challenge: I will lay my sins at Jesus’ feet and rely on His forgiveness and restoration to forgive others, including myself, and to move forward in God’s ways!
Thursday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, it is easy to think that Cain’s sin was “worse” than ours, but Jesus reminded us that if we call someone a name, we have “murdered” them in our hearts. By that standard all of us are murderers. I pray for Your forgiveness in every area where I have sinned in this way and ask that You will restore me to fellowship with You and with my brothers and sisters in the Lord. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
8One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.
9Afterward the LORD asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”
“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” Genesis 4:8-9 NLT
Why did Cain kill Abel?
How did Cain respond to the Lord’s question about Abel’s whereabouts?
Today’s Challenge: I will treat my “brother” as my brother in every situation!
Friday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, I pray for Your forgiveness for every sin I have committed. I repent of those sins and turn to You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may live boldly and confidently in You and that I may lead a holy life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
10But the LORD said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! 11Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood. 12No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.” Genesis 4:10-12 NLT
Why do you suppose that Cain thought he could hide his sin from God?
Do you think God’s punishment of Cain “fits the crime”? Why or why not?
Today’s Challenge: I will confess my sins to the Lord, repent of them and live in newness of life!
Saturday
Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, when life seems not to be fair from our perspective, You always offer us Your grace and mercy. I pray that I will live in the joy of Your Holy Spirit today, and that I will not simply look for fairness in life, but that I, too, will live out Your grace and mercy, extending it to others that they may know the blessing that only comes from Your presence in our lives! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
13Cain replied to the LORD, “My punishment is too great for me to bear! 14You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!”
15The LORD replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the LORD put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. 16So Cain left the LORD’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Genesis 4:13-16 NLT
How did God assure that no one would kill Cain?
What could Cain have learned from this disastrous series of events? What have you learned from it?
Today’s Challenge: I will put God first, so He will bless and not discipline me!