Sermon 511: The Tower (Genesis 11:1-9)

Today’s Bulletin

OUTLINE

I. Humanistic Hubris (v.1-4)
II. The Lord Knows (v.5)
III. Ya Basic! (v.6-7)
IV. You’re Dispersed (v.8-9)


Genesis 11:1-9

“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.” And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth.”



Chiastic Structure of Genesis 11

Ziggurat

Most likely the tower was what the Babylonians called a Ziggurat Temple like the example below.


Sermon Discussion questions
The Tower: Genesis 11:1-9

Ice Breaker: What foreign languages can you speak or understand? Or What’s the highest thing you’ve ever climbed?

This Week Specific

  1. The sermon mentions pride and the desire to "make a name for ourselves" as the main sin displayed at the Tower of Babel. In what areas of your life do you struggle with pride or the desire for personal recognition/achievement over glorifying God?

  2. What "towers" or sources of identity/purpose apart from God are you tempted to build your life around (career, relationships, hobbies, etc.)? How can we reorient our lives to find meaning and purpose solely in knowing and glorifying God?

  3. How does the gospel unite diverse peoples and languages, reversing the scattering and division that occurred at Babel? How can we as a church better reflect the beauty of people from every tribe and tongue being brought together in Christ?

  4. The sermon states: "You don't need to be great in this life, you need to know the Lord. That's all." Discuss what it looks like practically to have this mindset and find your identity and worth in Christ alone rather than achievements.

  5. How can we encourage one another to pursue excellence and technological/cultural advancement, but do so for God's glory rather than human pride and self-exaltation?

  6. The final charge is: "Stop thinking strictly in terms of what you will accomplish...and start thinking about what God is doing in and through you for His glory." What are some ways God may want to use you and our group for His purposes?

Weekly Questions

  1. What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?

  2. What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?

  3. How can this group pray for you this week?