Exploring Genesis 3–4 | God’s Good News — Story 2 of 7
Have you ever wondered why the world is so broken?
Why is there suffering, violence, jealousy, and death? If God created everything good, what happened?
These are questions people have asked for thousands of years.
The Bible begins with a beautiful picture of creation. God made the world good and created people to live in relationship with Him.
But in Genesis 3–4, everything changes.
We discover the first human disobedience, the first murder, and the devastating consequences of sin. Yet we also discover something remarkable: even after humanity rebelled against God, He continued showing mercy and began revealing His provision.
These two chapters raise some fascinating questions.
12 Questions About the Fall and the First Sacrifice
As you explore Genesis 3–4, consider these questions:
- Why did God allow the serpent into the Garden of Eden?
- Why did Adam and Eve disobey God?
- What happened when sin entered the world?
- Why did Adam and Eve try to cover themselves and hide from God?
- Where did the garments of skin come from? Was this the first animal sacrifice?
- What is the significance of God’s promise in Genesis 3:15?
- Why did God accept Abel’s offering but reject Cain’s?
- Why did Cain kill Abel?
- Why did God protect Cain after he murdered his brother?
- Where did Cain’s wife come from?
- If Adam and Eve sinned, why are we all affected?
- What do these stories teach us about our need for a Savior?
Some of these questions have clear biblical answers. Others require us to carefully consider what Scripture says—and what it does not say.
A Fascinating Question: Who Provided the Covering?
One detail in Genesis 3 has always stood out to me.
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they realized they were naked and tried to cover themselves with fig leaves.
But later, Genesis 3:21 tells us that God made garments of skin and clothed them.
Where did those animal skins come from?
Many Christians, including myself, believe this points to the first animal sacrifice and introduces an important theme that continues throughout the Bible.
Humanity attempted to cover its own shame, but God provided a covering.
The passage doesn’t explicitly describe an animal sacrifice, so we need to distinguish what Scripture directly states from what we understand through the larger biblical story.
Nevertheless, I believe this is an important picture of God’s provision.
Then, in Genesis 4, we discover that Abel brought an offering from his flock, while Cain brought an offering from the ground.
God accepted Abel’s offering but rejected Cain’s.
Why?
Hebrews 11:4 tells us that Abel offered his sacrifice by faith.
Some interpreters, including myself, also see an important connection between Abel’s animal offering and God’s earlier provision of garments of skin.
Although Genesis doesn’t explicitly say Cain’s offering was rejected because it lacked blood, these stories invite us to explore a much larger question:
Can sinful people make themselves acceptable to God, or must God provide the way?
As we continue discovering God’s Good News, this question becomes increasingly important.
Additional Questions for Discovery
As you read Genesis 3–4, consider these additional questions:
- What did the serpent say to make Eve question God’s command?
- What was the first thing Adam and Eve noticed after disobeying God?
- Why did Adam blame Eve?
- What does God’s question, “Where are you?” reveal about His response to their sin?
- Who made the first covering for Adam and Eve?
- What warning did God give Cain before he murdered Abel?
- How did Cain respond when God asked about his brother?
- What do these stories reveal about God’s justice and mercy?
Don’t feel that you must answer every question immediately.
Sometimes the best discoveries happen when we slow down, read the passage again, and allow God’s Word to speak for itself.
Discover the Bible Story for Yourself
The best place to begin answering these questions is with the Bible itself.
Read Genesis 3–4 and explore our second story in the God’s Good News series:
Why Is the World Broken? The Fall and the First Sacrifice
As you read, pay attention to four important elements:
People: Who is involved in the story?
Problem: What went wrong?
Provision: What did God do, provide, or reveal?
Respond: How did the people respond?
These four simple prompts will help you remember and retell the story to someone else.
Use These Questions in a Discovery Group
You don’t need to be a Bible expert to help others discover God’s Word.
In a Discovery Group, people read the Bible together, retell the story in their own words, discuss what they discover, and consider how they will obey and share what they’ve learned.
The goal isn’t to give a lecture or answer every difficult question.
The goal is to help people discover what God says and respond to Him.
When someone asks a difficult question, encourage them to return to the passage.
Ask, “Where do you see that in the Bible story?”
And remember, it’s okay to say, “That’s a good question. Let’s explore it together.”
Want to Explore These Questions More Deeply?
We’ve developed an additional study resource with biblical answers to the twelve main questions about the Fall, sin, Cain and Abel, and God’s first provision of a covering.
This companion resource includes:
- Biblical explanations and Scripture references
- Reflection questions for personal or group study
- Additional insights for Discovery Group facilitators
- Connections between Genesis 3–4 and God’s unfolding plan of salvation
These resources are available through our God on Mission Subscriber Resource Page, along with other free tools to help you grow as a disciple and help others follow Jesus. Subscribe here if you haven’t already done so.
Explore Our Free Disciple-Making Resources
The Story Doesn’t End with Brokenness
Genesis 3–4 reveals how sin entered the human story and damaged our relationships with God and one another.
But it also reveals something about God’s character.
Even in the midst of judgment, God showed mercy.
And even after humanity’s disobedience, God began revealing His plan of redemption.
The same God who created us for relationship with Him has made a way for that relationship to be restored through Jesus Christ.
God’s Good News is that our brokenness doesn’t have to be the end of our story.
Continue exploring God’s Good News as we discover how God’s plan of salvation unfolds throughout Scripture.
