PREPARE YOUR HEART FOR THE SERMON BY LOOKING THROUGH THESE SUGGESTIONS THAT WILL ASSIST YOU IN MAKING THE MOST OF OUR TIME TOGETHER HEARING GOD'S WORD.

You will find suggestions for thinking more critically through the passage, meditating more intently on the text, and prayerfully seeking wisdom to deepen your understanding of the passage to be preached this Sunday.

Carefully Think

• Read Genesis 4:1-7. How did the two men’s vocation relate to their offerings in 4:3-4? 
• What was Cain’s response to God’s disregard for his offering in 4:5 and how did God respond to it in 4:6-7? What does this suggest about Cain’s heart toward God?  
• Read Genesis 22:1-8 How did Abraham describe what he and his son would go to do? What di that act involve?
• Read Genesis 22:16-18. Why did God respond favorably to Abraham and his offering?
• What does the above account in Genesis 22 suggest about the acceptable form of worship and the acceptable heart behind the form? 
• Read Deuteronomy 6:1-6. What should worship consist of both externally and internally? 

Prayerfully Meditate

• When you think about how people approached God in worship in the Old Testament, what comes to mind? List some of the components, features, ideas about of Old Testament worship.
• Read Genesis 4:1-7 Look carefully at the description of each man’s offering. What are the differences between the description of Cain’s offering and Abel’s offering other than the content?
• Read Leviticus 18-19, and as you do list every reference to the phrase, “I am the LORD,” or “I am the LORD your God.”
•  How would you summarize what worshiping God should look like for the Israelites in light of Leviticus 18-19. List various components.
• What do you learn from Leviticus 18-19 regarding both the external and internal expectations of God regarding how Israel lived their life in worship?