Sibling Rivalries Week 2: Sibling Rivalries March 12, 2017 We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means the only complete realist. ~C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Genesis 4:1 16 1 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man. 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also brought an offering fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 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. 8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, Let s go out to the field. While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? I don t know, he replied. Am I my brother s keeper? 10 The Lord said, What have you done? Listen! Your brother s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth. 13 Cain said to the Lord, My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. 15 But the Lord said to him, Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over. Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 10
Sermon Notes This sibling rivalry shows that sin ruins relationships, the fall complicates relationships, but God gives us an opportunity for restoration. Key Takeaway 11
Week 2 Exercise Assessing & Addressing Relational Patterns 1. Intro Debrief the previous week s exercise: what is one question from the Colossians exercise that you found helpful? Describe why or how. Share one part of today s scripture passage that was meaningful to you. 2. Personal Reflection Orientation: how can our relational patterns help or hinder us from being our brother s keeper? Read Romans 12:9 21. Circle two phrases that are strengths (doing well) that you have. Draw boxes around two phrases that are weaknesses (crouching tigers). 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 12
Think about the various arenas of relationships, e.g., your family of origin, work/school, church, your current living situation, your neighborhood, your social media groups, the world. Choose three arenas. For each arena, choose one phrase from Romans 12:9 21 that describe a strength you have to contribute. Then choose one weakness. Consider one practical next step. ARENA STRENGTH WEAKNESS NEXT STEP 3. Group Discussion Take turns to describe one strength that you have. Is it consistent across all three arenas you chose? Why or why not? Share one example of how you have displayed this strength. This is not to boast, but to help us learn from each other. Take turns to share one area of weakness in one arena (or specific relationship) in which you would like to prayerfully and purposefully work on during this season. 4. Closing Prayer: Pray that God would help you choose a person or relational situation that needs improvement. HOMEWORK: There will be a link to a survey on Conflict Resolution for you to take for yourself, as well as to ask someone else to complete for you.
Weekly Activities During this week, please be sure to take the self-assessment survey, which you can access at www.parkstreet.org/ldi. Also send the link to a trusted person to assess you. m 13 Read Genesis 4:1 16. As Abel did, consider what it means for you to offer the very best of your life to God. Confess any sins that have mastered and prevented you from offering the best. Ask for God s grace to enable you to do well. Tu 14 Read Romans 12:9 21. Use the passage as a basis for prayer. W 15 Regarding your Arena 1 relationships: Pray for grace and wisdom to put on your strengths and to TH 16 Regarding your Arena 2 relationships: Pray for grace and wisdom to put on your strengths and to F 17 Regarding your Arena 3 relationships: Pray for grace and wisdom to put on your strengths and to S 18 Reflect upon the results of your conflict resolution survey. In what ways is it accurate? Inaccurate? How does the assessment of your trusted person compare? What do you learn? Be prepared to share one insight with your group.