The Risk of Not Making Peace

“Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.' And Cain said to Abel his brother, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”

Text Background

• Context: Cain and Abel brought offerings to the LORD. The LORD accepted Abel’s offering, but not Cain’s. Cain became very angry and jealous.
• Main problem: Cain refused to make peace with God and with his brother. He chose to keep anger in his heart.
• Important word meanings:
  - “Face downcast” (Hebrew: nafal panim) = a fallen face, a bitter heart.
  - “Sin is crouching” (Hebrew: rabas) = like a wild animal ready to jump and attack.
  - “Rule over it” (Hebrew: mashal) = to govern, to control, to have authority.
  Message: God warned Cain and gave him a chance to control his anger, but Cain did not listen to the voice of God.
• Theological message: When we refuse to make peace, our heart becomes a door that invites sin to enter. Sin then destroys our relationship with others and with God.

Sermon Opening (Ice Breaker)

Questions for the children:
“Who has ever been angry because a friend did not want to share?”
“Which face do you think the Lord loves to see?” 😡 or 😊 ?

Transition: “Today we learn what happened to Cain when he refused to make peace.”

I. For Toddlers (1–5 years)

Title: God Loves Children Who Make Peace

- Cain was angry at his brother, and this made God sad.
- God wants us to love each other and to say ‘sorry’ quickly.
- When we choose peace, our heart becomes calm.

Key Verse:
“Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

Practical Application (for child & parent/caregiver):
- If a friend grabs your toy, do not push. Say: “Let’s share and play together.”
- If little brother or sister breaks something, say: “I forgive you,” and give a hug.

Activity:
1. Peace Hug: When the teacher says “peace,” children give a hug to a friend or caregiver.
2. Color the Heart: Children color two hearts. Red = angry heart. White = peaceful heart. Ask: “Which heart does Jesus love?”

Transition: “A child who chooses peace makes God's heart glad.”

II. For Children (6–10 years)

Title: If You Refuse Peace, Sin Enters Your Heart

- Cain was jealous. He thought God loved Abel more.
- God warned Cain clearly.
- Cain refused to make peace and then did something terrible.

Key Verse:
“If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door.” (Genesis 4:7)

Explanation:
“Sin is crouching” means: sin is waiting like a hungry animal at the door of your heart, ready to jump in.
Meaning: When we reject peace, sin takes control.

Practical Application for children:
- When you start to feel angry, pause, breathe, and pray: “Lord Jesus, please calm my heart.”
- Be the first to say: “I am sorry. I want peace.”
- Remember: making peace is not losing. Making peace is winning against sin.

Activity:
1. Mini Drama: Act out two versions of Cain and Abel: peace version (Cain asks forgiveness) and no peace version (Cain stays angry).
2. Peace Note: Each child writes on a small paper: “Lord, I want to make peace with __________.”

Transition: “When we make peace quickly, we close the door of our heart to sin.”

III. For Older Children / Early Teens (11–15 years)

Title: Sin Waits at the Door of Your Heart

- Cain felt life was unfair. Jealousy became anger, anger became hatred, and hatred became violence.
- The pattern is always the same: refuse peace → keep anger → sin takes over.
- God said to Cain: “You must rule over it.” This means: control your anger before your anger controls you.

Key Verses:
“... but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7)
“Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26)

Supporting / Parallel Verses:
Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
→ Our true identity in Christ is to be peacemakers.

Romans 12:18 – “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live in peace with all people.”
→ Peace is a decision. Peace starts with you.

Practical Application for older kids / teens:
- Do not let anger live in you overnight.
- Speak honestly without attacking: “I was hurt by that, but I do not want to fight. I want peace.”
- Be a bridge-builder, not a wall-builder.

Activity:
1. Personal Reflection: Write the name of the person you struggle to forgive. Pray for that person by name.
2. Build a Bridge: In small groups, build a “bridge” from craft sticks or straws. Say aloud: “This bridge means I choose to come closer, not farther.”

Transition: “Cain chose anger and lived in regret. We can choose peace and live in the Lord’s favor.”

Spiritual Illustration

Two close friends had a big fight. They built a stone wall between their houses so they would not see each other. One day, a flood came. The wall was broken. One friend almost fell into the water, and the other ran to save him. After that, they did not rebuild the wall. Instead, they built a small wooden bridge between the yards. 
Message: God wants us to build bridges of peace, not walls of anger.

Sermon Closing

Call to respond:
“Children of God are not trouble-makers. We are peacemakers. Do not let anger be the boss of your heart. Let the love of Jesus be the Lord of your heart.”

Closing Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, teach us not to be ruled by anger. Help us to forgive, to choose peace, and to bring joy wherever we are. In Jesus’ Name we pray, amen.”