Questions for Reflection - Profiles in Learning "Cain: On 'Brotherly Love'"

Genesis 4:1–16

1. If you have a brother or sister how was your relationship when you were young? Did you experience "sibling rivalry"? How? Did you ever resolve this?
2. Pastor Thompson suggests that the first chapters of Genesis invite us to play "Jeopardy". Genesis 4:1-16 offers answers to what questions?
3. What parallels do you see between Cain and the older brother in Jesus' parable of the "Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:25-32)?
4. Why is Cain angry? Who is he mad at? How have you experienced this kind anger?
5. What is God attempting to teach Cain (and the rest of us)?
6. What might "doing well" have looked like in Cain's case?
7. Why is the "mark" God places on Cain an act of mercy? What does this suggest about how Cain will live out the rest of his days? Can you relate?

For further reading:
Leon Kass, The Beginning of Wisdom: Reading Genesis. Free Press, 2003.
Tim Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. Dutton, 2008

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Westminster Presbyterian Church Pastors: Rev. Dr. Richard H. Thompson, Rev. John Burnett, Rev. Jennifer Kates Witten 32111 Watergate Road, Westlake Village, California 91361 (818)889-1491    fax (818)889-7132 E-mail: info1@wpcwestlake.org Please notify the church of any problems with our site.