LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 4:1–16, 25, we learn about Cain and Abel, two brothers who brought offerings to God. Abel offered the firstborn of his flock and the best of the best, and God accepted his gift, while Cain’s less‑hearted offering was not accepted. Out of jealousy and anger, Cain killed Abel and was punished by God, yet still received mercy in the form of protection, illustrating the importance of offering our very best to God rather than going through the motions.
This lesson underscores the key truth that God cares about the heart behind our offering, not just the gift itself. It teaches that when we give our best to Him, we show love and faith in a way that pleases God. For preschoolers, the focus is simple: God wants our best (our love, our actions, our hearts), not just anything we can spare.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00–6:15 | Kinetic Sand Rocks
Items Needed:
- Kinetic Sand Boxes
- Polished Rocks
- Rough Rocks
Description: Hide the different rocks inside the kinetic sand boxes. Let kids sort through. Ask them which rocks are the “best” rocks. Tell them that in our story today, we are going to discuss giving our best to God.
SONG 6:20–6:30
PRAYER 6:30–6:40
- Sing “Whisper a Prayer” quietly with the children.
- Form a prayer circle, holding hands and whispering.
- Pray: “Dear God, thank You for everything. Please help us give You our very best every day. Amen.”
BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:40–6:50
Items Needed
Place the cards upside down on a table. Have kids take turns turning over two cards at a time. When they find a “match” ask them which one is the best so we can give it to God? Kids keep their matches until the end of the game.
BIBLE STORY 6:50–7:00
Question 1: What book of the Bible is this story from? (Genesis)
Question 2: Is that in the Old or New Testament? (Old Testament)
A long time ago, Adam and Eve had two sons. One was named Cain, and the other was named Abel. Cain was a farmer. He grew food from the ground, like vegetables and fruits. Abel was a shepherd. He took care of little lambs.
One day, both brothers wanted to give a gift to God.
Cain picked some food from his garden. Maybe he gave God some leftovers or food that wasn’t very special. He didn’t try very hard.
But Abel chose his very best little lamb—the one he loved most. Abel wanted to show God how much he loved Him. He gave God his best gift from the heart.
God was very happy with Abel’s gift because Abel gave it with love. But God was not happy with Cain’s gift. Cain didn’t give God his best, and God could see that Cain wasn’t giving with a happy heart.
When Cain saw this, he felt angry and jealous of his brother. God spoke to Cain and said, “If you do what is right, I will be happy with you too. But don’t let bad thoughts take over.”
But Cain didn’t listen. He stayed angry. One day, Cain took Abel out to the field—and he hurt his brother. Abel died.
God came to Cain and said, “Where is your brother Abel?”
Cain said, “I don’t know.” But God knew the truth.
God said, “Because you did something very wrong, you must leave this place. But I will still watch over you.”
God doesn’t just want a gift. He wants us to give with love. He wants us to give Him our best—our best toys, best art, best time, and best hearts.
Theological Questions
- Why did God accept Abel’s offering but not Cain’s?
- What does this teach us about our hearts when we give?
Life Application Questions
- When is a time you gave your best to someone?
- How can we give God our best today?
Two‑sentence prayer:
“Dear God, help me love You with my whole heart and always give You my best. Please help me do right and follow Your ways. Amen.”
BIBLE CRAFT 7:00–7:15 | Finger Puppet Angel
Items Needed
- Angel Finger Puppets (Pre Cut)
- Crayons
- Glue Stics
- Tape
Give each child a set of pre cut finger puppet pieces to color. Have them color each piece. Help them glue the wings and harp onto the angel. Help them tape the angel into a finger puppet. Talk about how we can give God our best when we color and do our best work.
Then have a Finger Puppet Parade.
SNACK TIME & CENTERS 7:15–7:25
Let kids eat their snack and talk about giving their best.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (KJV)
Genesis 4:1–16, 25 (KJV)
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
And 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:
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou so wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
If 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.
And 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.
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Behold, 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.
And 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.
PARENT TAKE‑HOME SHEET
Today’s Key Takeaway: Give Your Best
What I Learned Today:
- Abel gave God the best because he loved Him.
- God wants our hearts more than our things.
- Giving our best pleases God.
Questions to Ask Me:
- What is something you can give God your best in this week? (Answer: My prayer, drawing, helping others.)
- How do you feel when you give someone your very best? (Answer: Happy, proud, loved.)
- Can we give God our best even when we feel tired? (Answer: Yes, because our heart matters most.)
- What if we forget to give God our best—what can we do? (Answer: Say sorry, and try again.)
- Why is it good to give God our best? (Answer: Because God loves us and deserves our love.)
- What is something you can give God your best in this week? (Answer: My prayer, drawing, helping others.)
- How do you feel when you give someone your very best? (Answer: Happy, proud, loved.)
- Can we give God our best even when we feel tired? (Answer: Yes, because our heart matters most.)
- What if we forget to give God our best—what can we do? (Answer: Say sorry, and try again.)
- Why is it good to give God our best? (Answer: Because God loves us and deserves our love.)