TGP Unit 1|Session 5: Let Us Make A Name

Introduction:

Q. If you could be famous, what would you want to be famous for?

Q. Do you think being famous would change you?

Q. Would you rather be famous or not? Why?

Not sinful

But tricky

Its all about motive

Seen in Scripture

Building God’s Kingdom rather than our own

Main Point: God will always accomplish His will for His glory.

Sin Lures us into rebellion

Read Genesis 11:1-4.

11:1:

Chapter 10: Noah’s sons settling according to their different languages (11 happens before)

11:2-4:

“Come, let’s...”

This will be important later

“A city and a tower”

Not to reach into Heaven

Pride and independence

Q. What motivated the people to build the tower?

Didn’t want to “fill the earth”

To not be scattered

But God’s will will be accomplished!

Fame and security

Power independent of God

The Garden 2.0

“Make a name” = God provoked

Reputation/fame

Q. It never says God immediately destroyed the tower. Why do you think that is?

A reminder about obedience

Q. What are the “towers” in your life? In other words, are there areas in which you’re rebelling against God?

Tower = rebellion

Moments of rebellion

Invest in what lasts

Our rebellion can’t stop God’s will

Read Genesis 11:5-9.

11:5:

“Came down”

From Heaven

11:6

“… Nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.”

In terms of their rebellion against God

11:7

“Come, let’s...”

Does this remind you of anything?

Hindsight: Mankind mimicking God

Only God can say “come, let’s...”

Also, plural (Trinity)

11:8

God “scatters” them

The very thing they were trying to prevent!

11:9

Babylon

Sounds like the Hebrew words for “confuse”

Q. What does this story teach us about trying to do anything apart from God?

Vine, branches (John 15:4-5)

Q. How do you see God’s mercy even in his judgement at Babel?

Flood

Mercy

Not destroyed

Spared from further disobedience

Q. What do you learn about God’s authority in this story?

Authority > rebellion

Christ Connection: God confused the language of humanity to scatter the people over the face of the earth. But through the gospel of Jesus Christ, God saves people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to form one people united in Christ forever

Wrap Up: This week, how can you live in a way that makes God’s name great instead of your own?

Check your motives

If motive is pride, you’re building a tower