Sunday School: Justice, Vengeance, and Mercy

Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us for the first Sunday of the new year!

When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns together. Take some time to consider your last week. What are you thankful for? What are you worried about? If you have anything you would like to share, you can include it in the comments so that we can all pray. When you are ready, use this prayer for the new year (source) to get started.

God of all time, help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.
May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.
Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.
May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.
Lover of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.
May we welcome your lavish love.
In this new year, may the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead.
Amen.

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Today's lesson is on Genesis 4:1-15. 

For this week, please read the article "5 Life Lessons from Cain and Abel," by Moses Pierre-Paul. Clicking on the title will open the article in a new tab. 

​The one thing I would like to add is this was this was the first time a parent grieved a death of a child. In fact Adam and Eve lost two sons that day. One because Cain killed his brother Abel and because Cain was sent to wander the wilderness because of his murderous act. 

Prayer
Merciful and just God, teach us to trust in your justice and in your timing. Give us faith to extend mercy, which you lavishly poured on us, to a wicked world that needs it neither more than less than we do. In Jesus name we pray.  Amen 

Questions
What can we do to stop envying people?
What if we instead of envying we are glad that they are doing so well.

What does it mean to you about being your brother’s keeper.
What are some ways to resist Satan’s pull against the Lord’s correction?

What principal from today’s text will you have the most problem integrating into your life?

The hymn below is sung in Latin, but the English translation can be read onscreen. It dates from the late 1500's. 

Benediction
​Today's benediction is from the New International Version.

Next week's lesson will be on Genesis 21:8-20.