Genesis 4:9 | Hebrews 11:4, 13:1 | 1 John 3:12 | Proverbs 17:17
Love you to death, Bro!
If you have a brother, then you know how difficult it can be to maintain peaceful relations with each other. Cain and Abel were the firstborn sons of Adam and Eve, and they knew it, too. One day Cain got so sore at Abel, he lured him out into the field and killed him.
Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?”
“I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?”
Genesis 4:9 NLT
What was Cain sore about? God had accepted Abel’s offering, but not his own. Why? It seems that God considered their hearts when they made their offerings. Abel’s offering was a result of his faith and righteousness.
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.
Hebrews 11:4 NLT
When you boil it down, Cain’s anger stemmed from his jealousy. He was mad at Abel just for being righteous and faithful. Does that even make sense?
We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.
1 John 3:12 NLT
Being jealous of someone for being good may be evil, but it is clearly part of our sinful human nature. But Jesus can help you love your brother–not just your Brothers in Christ, either…your actual brother (or sister)!
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 17:17 NLT
Cain and Abel may have gotten brotherhood off to a rocky start, but you can have a smoother run of it. Because no matter which type of brother we’re talking about, God calls you to love them.
Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 13:1 NLT
Questions for Group Discussion
- Cain was mad at Abel because his offering was accepted. Have you seen this type of anger in our time? Can you give an example?
- Have you ever been mad at someone because they were right and you were wrong? Has God changed that part of your personality? Do you ever see bits of that type of jealousy emerge in you?
- Why do you think brothers and sisters have the power to make each other so angry?
Challenge: Brotherly Love
Full disclosure: this works for sisters, too. If you have no siblings, you can either sit this one out…or get creative!
You are hereby challenged to show your sibling (or cousin, or closest friend) that you are there for them in their time of need.
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Proverbs 17:17 NLT
There are no rules for this; get creative. They may not be in need at the moment, but how can you show them they can depend on you when they are?
Here are some suggestions:
- Give them a “Drop Everything Coupon” stating that you will stop whatever you are doing to help them when they present it. (Good for one use only.)
- Matching brother-/sisterhood bracelets.
- Give them a special ringtone, to which you will always respond.
