Babel's Confusion

Unit 5 – Changes

Lesson 12 – The Tower of Babel – Genesis 11:1-11

For the Teacher’s Preparation

1. Aim: To lead the people to understand that people may make selfish plans, but the Sovereign God maintains control over everything.

2. Explanation of the Aim: In our lesson the people displayed egotistical and proud desires that displeased God by building an elaborate tower. Before anyone begins a project they should first discover God’s will and then seek to fit their activities into His kingdom’s priority purposes. Sadly, the people who erected the tower of Babel had to be taught a lesson by God. The Bible says, “That is why it is called the tower of Babel-because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.” (Gen. 11:9) When mankind seeks their own selfish interests ahead of God’s plans there will always be confusion. Help the people learn how to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness purposes first and then He will take care of their essential needs.

3. Study the Scriptures: (Genesis 11:1-11) Human beings who proudly think they know how to run their affairs without consulting God they will always fail. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” God is the Sovereign controller of all things in life. The Lord is the one who gives us the ability to accomplish anything of eternal worth. Man centered efforts that are motivated and operated by the flesh oppose those activities that are directed by the Spirit. Paul, the apostle wrote, “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Gal. 5:17,18) Only when we allow the Holy Spirit of God to control us under the directing of the Bible are we able to accomplish the will of God.

4. Prepare to Teach: The INTRODUCTION helps the people consider the reasons why God was forced to scattered the people after creating 18,800 different languages in the world. Ask the people how many different languages are spoken within this church? What are some of the effects that having different languages within our communities? What are some of complications and confusions that result when people are not able to communicate clearly with one another? The BIBLE STORY teaches us how the Lord became angry with proud, selfish and personally ambitious people. When God saw that the rebellious people tried to build the first city for their own name’s sake, He decided to confuse them with the creation of thousands of different languages. The Lord works against anyone who seeks to revolt against His corporate or individual plans for our life. The Lord told Jeremiah, “Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster where you go.” (Jer. 45:5) The Lord has the power to overthrow, uproot and frustrate the plans of the wisest people. God’s Sovereign power behooves us to fear Him and to keep all of His commandments. The MEANING FOR OUR LIVES helps the people explore how they might be seeking their own interests ahead of God’s plan for their life. Give some examples of people who have met with frustration when they tried to put their own plans ahead of God’s will for their life.

CLASS TIME (Begin With Prayer)

INTRODUCTION

Ask the people how many different languages are spoken within this church? What are some of the effects of having different languages spoken within our communities? What are some of complications and confusions that result when people are not able to communicate clearly with one another? Ask the people to why they think God created so many languages (18,800) throughout the world? How should this remind us that the Sovereign Lord has the power to confuse anyone who seeks to put their own selfish interest ahead of God’s kingdom purposes?

THE BIBLE STORY (Genesis 11:1-11)

Our Bible lesson is a demonstration of how God’s sovereign control is greater than any person, group or scheme. The tower of Babel was a selfish attempt on the part of mankind to make a boastful reputation for themselves. When the people of the earth constructed a tower they undertook a united and godless effort to establish their own titanic enterprise. In effect, prideful human beings wanted to be able to rule over their own kingdom apart from God’s interference. The Lord frustrates the plans of nations and rulers that are not submissive to His control in all aspects of life. Let no one think that they can become independent of God’s rulership. He created us and to Him we will one day have to give an account for everything before the great white throne of judgement.