MS Bible Fri

Intro and Review

This week we have learned about three major stories from the Old Testament.

Who can tell me what they are?

Creation

The Fall

Noah and the Flood

So tell me:

What did creation tell us about God?

What did the Fall teach us about human choices?

What did Noah’s story teach us about obedience and God’s promises?

Today we are going to look at a story that explains why the world has different languages and cultures, and what happens when humans trust themselves instead of God.

Setting the Context

So after the flood, people began to multiply again.

Read Genesis 11:1–4 “Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.””

We see that:

The people were united

They all spoke one language

Their goal was to serve the self and get famous for their tower.

Let me ask, do you think unity is always a good thing?

Can people unite for the wrong reasons?

The Problem: Pride and Self-Sufficiency

The issue was not that the people were building a tower, the issue was why they were building it.

The people built the tower because they wanted to be independent from God

They wanted fame, recognition, and security without trusting God

Their pride replaced their obedience.

Pride often shows up when we start to believe that we do not need God.

Discussion

Why do you think people wanted to make a name for themselves with the tower?

Do people still struggle with pride today?

What are some ways that pride can affect your friendships or teamwork?

God’s Response

Read Genesis 11:5-9

We read that God confused the people’s languages

He then scattered them across the earth

God stopped their plan.

It is important to know that God was not punishing the unity of the people, He was simply correcting the pride of man.

Activity

Alright, lets do something fun today. Who likes watching court shows on T.V.?

We are going to play a game called story court.

In this game we will put each story we have covered so far on trial.

We aren’t trying to figure out if God acted right or wrong,

But what went wrong?

Why God acted?

What does the story teach?

Divide into three groups.

Group 1: Creation and Fall, Group 2: Noah & Flood, Group 3: Tower of Babel.

In your groups there are 4 roles to figure out. The roles are:

Narrator: Who will briefly explain the story

Human Perspective: Explain what people did wrong

God’s response: Explain why God acted

Lesson Giver: Explain what we learn from the story.

In your groups, you must answer:

What choice did humans make?

What was the consequence?

What does this show about God?

What lesson should we learn today?

Each group will discuss for a bit and then I will give you 2-3 minutes to present.

I will act as the judge.

Go.

***After the game ask***

Do you think that God’s response in these stories was fair? Why or Why not?

What warning or hope can these stories give us?

What patterns do we notice in these stories?

Do humans tend to change on their own?

What stays consistent about God?

See,

God is not quick to act, He is patient.

God is just, He dislikes injustice.

No matter the human objection, God continues His plan.

Connecting the Story to the Grand Narrative

These early stories teach us an important lesson:

They show that

Humans often misuse freedom

God steps in to guide history

God’s plan continues, even when we resist it.

God spreading people across the earth sets the stage for the Nations, cultures, and languages present today.

Eventually God has a way to reach all.

Later in Scripture, we see God bringing people together again, not through pride, but through obedience.

Later we will see examples of unity that are good, and we will also see God give His spirit so that we can avoid confusion.

Unity comes through God, not human efforts.

Reflection and Preview

Think about these questions before answering.

What does this story teach us about pride?

Why do you think that God wants us to depend on Him?

How can we practice humility in everyday life?

Depending on God is not a weakness—its wisdom.

Next week we will look at Abraham and God’s promise, where we will see how God begins to build a people for Himself, and why faith matters.

PRAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding humanity even when we make poor choices. Help us recognize pride in our hearts and choose humility instead. Teach us to trust You and depend on Your wisdom. Thank you for loving us and continuing Your plan. In Jesus name, Amen.