Genesis 11 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward,[a] they found a plain in Shinar[b] and settled there.
3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel[c]—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
When I look around the world today we see multiple Ziggurats/skyscrapers in large cities all around the Earth. What made this Tower a problem with their relationship with God?
Genesis 11:4 “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
Why did they want to build the tower? They took their eyes off of God, their creator, and wanted to make a name for themselves. What kind of name are you making of yourself? Are you cool, compassionate, athletic, health nut, couch potato, kind, ruler, slave, etc…? None of these expresses the most important name. The name I want people to say about me is Christ Follower! Lift high the name of Jesus!!!
Now imagine with me the scene at the Tower of Babel. How did God scatter the people? We know he changed their languages and they couldn’t communicate with each other. Did they wander off in different directions after they realize they couldn’t communicate? OR Did God physically move them around the world. I know it’s not a popular thought that God moved them. But in asking this question I’m really asking how big is your God? Do you believe that God is big enough that he could move people around the globe? Is He all powerful? I believe that God could do anything that doesn’t go against His nature.
Interestingly, you will find in all ancient civilizations around the world a creation story, a flood story and ziggurats built by them. (Not every bible scholar thinks that the Tower of Babel is connected to the Ziggurats found around the world.) How does an ancient civilization in the Middle East have the same stories as one in South America? Keep asking questions!!!
Worship
Deuteronomy 32:3
I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
Supplies:
- TV or a music account and a speaker
- worship scarves
- instruments
Everyone needs to be up, standing on their feet, including teachers and helpers. Children naturally look to the adults in the room and mimic their behavior. Place the bucket of instruments and scarves in the middle of the room and have the children and adults pick an instrument. Start the music and encourage the children to worship the Lord with dance, instruments and song.
NOTE: Sometimes the pink scarves can cause trouble with the girls in your class. Lots of tears 😦 trying to keep a worship filled environment is difficult at this point. Either hide the offensive pink scarf or buy enough pick scarfs for each little girl.
Here are songs that your children will enjoy!
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
Crafts
Construction Paper Tower
Supplies:
- Markers, Crayons, or Colored Pencils
- Yellow and Brown Construction Paper
- Glue
- Tower of Babel worksheet, here
Directions:
- Print 1 Tower of Babel worksheet for each child, here.
- Cut a circle out of the yellow construction paper to fit the sun on the worksheet.
- Cut the brown construction paper into trips 1 1/2″ high with lengths of 4″, 5″, 6″, and 7″
- Have the children color their worksheets and glue on the sun and the layers of the Tower of Babel.
Tower of Babel, Origami
Supplies:
- Markers, Crayons or Colored Pencils
- Scissors
- Glue
- Tower of Babel worksheet, here.
Directions:
- Print on cardstock the Tower of Babel worksheet, here.
- Color the Tower of Babel worksheet.
- Fold on the center dotted line.
- Cut each solid line that crosses the center dotted line.
- Fold worksheet right sides together.
- Gently pull each layer of the tower forward.
Little Steps 