When People Hurt People

“This punishment is too hard!” Cain said. “You’re making me leave my home and live far from you. I will have to wander about without a home, and just anyone could kill me.” “No!” the Lord answered. “Anyone who kills you will be punished seven times worse than I am punishing you.” So the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn everyone not to kill him.

Genesis 4:13–15 (CEV)

Sometimes, people hurt people. Sometimes, our people go through such awful things they get hurt in their bodies… and in their hearts, too. Such bad things make us sad. They make God sad, too.

In today’s Bible story, a man named Cain got so angry with his brother, he killed him. How terrible! And when God talked with Cain about what he did, Cain was not sorry. Cain chose to sin, and God had to punish him. Cain was forced to go away from his family and live by himself, and he would never again be able to grow food to eat.

The Bible says that God always does what is right and will one day punish all people who sin. But God is loving and will forgive people when they’re sorry for their sins and decide to turn to him. His grace is more powerful than sin!

God loves you so much. He will forgive you when you come to him and ask, and he will help people who have been hurt.

TIME TO PRAY

God, please help the people who have been hurt. Thank you for your grace and love for me and others.

GOD'S WONDERFUL WORLD

Many people use animals to help them feel better when they’ve been hurt by evil things in this world. These therapy animals can be dogs, pigs, horses, even chickens! Thank God for creating these wonderful animals.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help expand your children's Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 79:10

Jeremiah 7:13–15

Romans 12:19

Revelation 11:17–18