The Definition of Sin
Objective
I can analyze the story of Cain & Able to explain sin
The Definition of Sin
By the time we get to the story of Noah and the Great Flood, sin had infected the entire human race in only a few generations.
When the LORD saw how great the wickedness of human beings was on earth, and how every desire that their heart conceived was always nothing but evil, the LORD regretted making human beings on the earth, and his heart was grieved.
Genesis 6:5-6
Discussion Questions
Ask your students why God’s heart was grieved?
Activity 1: The Definition of Sin
Read the definition of sin from the Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1849-1850 on the handout and respond to the written prompts.
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Scripture makes it clear that two lines of descendants emerge out of the story of Cain and Abel: one from Cain, which is given over to sin and wickedness, and one from Adam and Eve’s other son, Seth, who remained faithful to God and, as Scripture describes, “began to invoke the Lord by name” (Genesis 4:26). The descendants of Cain are described like this and this passage describes many the basic elements of human civilization.
Cain... with his wife, ... [ had] Enoch. Cain also became the founder of a city, which he named after his son Enoch. To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad became the father of Mehujael; Mehujael became the father of Methusael, and Methusael became the father of Lamech. Lamech took two wives; the name of the first was Adah, and the name of the second Zillah. Adah gave birth to Jabal, who became the ancestor of those who dwell in tents and keep livestock. His brother’s name was Jubal, who became the ancestor of all who play the lyre and the reed pipe. Zillah, on her part, gave birth to Tubalcain, the ancestor of all who forge instruments of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
Genesis 4:17-22
Activity 2: Circle Map on the Elements of Human Civilization
Create a list of all the elements of human civilization they find mentioned in this passage.
Discussion Questions
If the descendants of Cain were sinful and wicked, but many of the basic elements of human civilization were created by them, what does this tell us about human civilization?
What are some ways today that these elements of civilization (cities, entertainment, and technology) are used in sinful, evil ways?
Activity 3: All Things New
Read the Scripture passage at the top of the handout. Then identify two ways that each of the elements of human civilization we have discussed (cities, entertainment, and technology) can be used to honor God and value the dignity of the human person.
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