Story 12: The Two Gifts

[Song] “Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life.  Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life.”

Hello, I’m Mrs. B!  Welcome to Lifeline English, the podcast that helps you know God and know English.

You can read the written script for today’s lesson online at lifelineenglish.com.

Today I want to teach you three words.

The first word is “best”. Best means “better than all others in quality or value.”  “Best” rhymes with “rest” and “nest”.  Okay, now you say “best”! That sounded good, but was that your best effort? I think you can do better. Try again. Say “Best”.  Excellent! 

The second word is “accept”. Can you say “accept”?  Accept.  Don't get the word “accept” confused with “except”.  In the story accept is used in two ways.  It means “to receive or take something offered”.  They offered him the job, and he accepted it.  Accept also means, “to allow someone to be part of a group; to look with favor or approval upon someone.”
John accepted Tom as a Facebook friend. The opposite of accept is to reject. 



The third word is “attack”.  Repeat after me.  Attack.  Attack.  To attack means to begin to harm, injure, or destroy something.  Insects attacked the crops.  The lion attacked the zebra. 

The first man Adam and his wife Eve had two sons.  The sons’ names were Cain and Abel. Today’s story is about Cain and Abel. Today’s story is called, “Two Gifts.”

When I ask a question, I will leave a space.  You can answer my question.  Then I will say the answer.  You can compare your answer with my answer. 

Abel guarded sheep, but Cain worked the ground. 
Who guarded sheep?  Abel guarded sheep.
Did Cain work?  Yes, Cain worked the ground.
Did Abel work the sheep?  No, Abel guarded the sheep.

One day Cain brought a gift to the Lord.
Who brought a gift?  Cain brought a gift.
To whom did Cain bring a gift?  Cain brought a gift to the Lord.

He brought some food from the ground.
What did Cain bring?  Cain brought some food. 
Where did the food come from?  The food came from the ground.
Did Cain bring an animal?  No, Cain brought some plants.

And Abel brought the best parts of his best sheep.
Did Abel bring plants?  No, Abel brought the best parts of his best sheep.
Did Abel bring bad sheep?  No, Abel brought his best sheep.

The Lord accepted Abel and his gift.
Did the Lord accept the gift of the animal? 
Yes, the Lord accepted the gift of the sheep.
Whose gift did the Lord accept?  The Lord accepted Abel and his gift. 

But the Lord did not accept Cain and his gift.
Did the Lord accept the gift of the food taken from the ground ?
No, the Lord did not accept the gift of the food taken from the ground .
Was there something wrong with the food ?
No, there was nothing wrong with the food. The food was good for people to eat.
Did the Lord accept Cain’s gift?  No, the Lord did not accept Cain and his gift.
Why didn’t the Lord accept Cain and Cain’s gift?  Abel knew he was a sinner.  Abel knew his sins deserved punishment.  He brought sheep to God and killed the sheep.  The blood of the sheep covered Abel’s sins.  Then God could accept Abel.  Cain did not believe he was a sinner.  Cain did not think his sins needed to be covered.  So Cain did not bring an animal.  God cannot accept gifts from people whose sins are not covered.  The fig leaves could not cover the sins of Adam and Eve.  In the same way, the plants from the ground can’t cover Cain’s sins. So God did not accept Cain or Cain’s gift. 

So Cain became very angry and looked unhappy.
How did Cain feel?  Cain felt very angry.
How did Cain look?  Cain looked unhappy.
When did Cain become angry and unhappy?  Cain became angry and unhappy when God did not accept his gift.

The Lord asked Cain, “Why are you angry?
Did Cain ask the Lord a question?  No, the Lord asked Cain a question.
Was God angry?  No, Cain was angry. 

Why do you look so unhappy?
Who looked unhappy?  Cain looked unhappy.
Was God unhappy?  No, Cain was unhappy.
Did God know why Cain was unhappy?  Yes, God knew why Cain was unhappy.
Why did God ask Cain these questions?  God wanted Cain to study his heart.  

If you do good, you will be well.
Who will be well?  Cain will be well.
When will Cain be well?  Cain will be well if he does good. 

But if you do not do good, sin is ready to attack you.
Will Cain be well if Cain does not do good?  No, Cain will not be well.  Sin is ready to attack him.
Will God attack Cain?  No, sin will attack Cain. 
Will sin attack Abel?  No, sin will attack Cain.
When will sin attack Cain?  Sin will attack Cain if he does not do good.

Sin wants you. But you must rule over it.”
Does sin want God?  No, sin wants Cain.
Who must rule over sin?  Cain must rule over sin. 

Let’s listen to the whole story together.

Abel guarded sheep, but Cain worked the ground.  One day Cain brought a gift to the Lord. He brought some food from the ground. And Abel brought the best parts of his best sheep. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift. But the Lord did not accept Cain and his gift. So Cain became very angry and looked unhappy. The Lord asked Cain, “Why are you angry? Why do you look so unhappy? If you do good, you will be well. But if you do not do good, sin is ready to attack you. Sin wants you. But you must rule over it.”
This story is in the third person.  Let’s change the story to the first person.  This is how the story would sound if Cain told it. 

Abel guarded sheep, but I worked the ground.  One day I brought a gift to the Lord. I brought some food from the ground. And Abel brought the best parts of his best sheep. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift. But the Lord did not accept me and my gift. So I became very angry and looked unhappy. The Lord asked me, “Why are you angry? Why do you look so unhappy? If you do good, you will be well. But if you do not do good, sin is ready to attack you. Sin wants you. But you must rule over it.”

Do you have questions?  You can write me.  Go to our website, lifelineenglish.com.  Our web site also has more information about each lesson that is not included in this podcast.

Until next time, may Jesus help you know Him and know English.  Good bye!

[Song] “Jesus only savior, sanctify forever, beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.  Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.”