Jesus in Genesis: Jesus, The Perfect Sacrifice

Jesus, The Perfect Sacrifice

OUTLINE

• The Seriousness of Sin (Genesis 4:1-8)

• The Significance of Sacrifice (Genesis 4:3-4)

• The Softness of God (Genesis 4:9-15)

• The Sufficiency of Scripture (Genesis 4:16-5:32)

QUESTIONS:

1. (Genesis 4:1-8) Sin crouches, it appears small, insignifiant and unthreatening. Yet God says that it’s desire is for us. What stood out to you about the crouching nature of sin? Where have you seen crouching sin in your life? How can living in community help us fight against crouching sin?

2. (Genesis 4:3-4) God needs nothing. He doesn't ask us to sacrifice for His sake, but for our sake, in order that we might learn about what's in our hearts and what we truly love (Psalm 51:16-17). Humans willingly sacrifice for what we love and believe will fulfill us. What do you find yourself sacrificing time, energy, money and effort for? What does this show you about what's going on in your heart?

3. (Genesis 4:9-15) It seems like God often lets the bad guys win and He allows the good guys to get caught in the backwash of sin and evil. What do you do with the amazing patience of God toward the unrepentant (2 Peter 3:9; Romans 2:3-4)? Have you ever thanked God for His amazing patience and mercy toward you (Psalm 103:8; 145:8-9)?

4. (Genesis 4:16-5:32) God has given us everything we need pertaining to life and godliness. He has given it to us in the Bible. Where have you found yourself trying to direct your own story with your own wisdom? How has it turned out for you? What is a step you can take today to submit yourself to His story and allow Him to have the director's seat?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

GENESIS 4

Cain and Abel
1Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.” 2Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground. 4Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” 8Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.9Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground. 11Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.” 13Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is too great to bear! 14Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lordappointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.16Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.17Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son. 18Now to Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael, and Mehujael became the father of Methushael, and Methushael became the father of Lamech. 19Lamech took to himself two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other, Zillah. 20Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 22As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.23Lamech said to his wives,“Adah and Zillah,Listen to my voice,You wives of Lamech,Give heed to my speech,For I have killed a man for wounding me;And a boy for striking me;24If Cain is avenged sevenfold,Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”25Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.

Genesis 5

Descendants of Adam
1This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.3When Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. 4Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters. 5So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years, and he died.6Seth lived one hundred and five years, and became the father of Enosh. 7Then Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after he became the father of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters. 8So all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years, and he died.9Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan. 10Then Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after he became the father of Kenan, and he had other sons and daughters. 11So all the days of Enosh were nine hundred and five years, and he died.12Kenan lived seventy years, and became the father of Mahalalel. 13Then Kenan lived eight hundred and forty years after he became the father of Mahalalel, and he had other sons and daughters. 14So all the days of Kenan were nine hundred and ten years, and he died.15Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Jared. 16Then Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Jared, and he had other sons and daughters. 17So all the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died.18Jared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and became the father of Enoch. 19Then Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters. 20So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died.21Enoch lived sixty-five years, and became the father of Methuselah. 22Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters. 23So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.25Methuselah lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, and became the father of Lamech. 26Then Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years after he became the father of Lamech, and he had other sons and daughters. 27So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and he died.28Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and became the father of a son. 29Now he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will give us rest from our work and from the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the Lord has cursed.” 30Then Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years after he became the father of Noah, and he had other sons and daughters. 31So all the days of Lamech were seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and he died.32Noah was five hundred years old, and Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.