7.16.23 - The Tower of Babel (Kenny Camacho)

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 11:1-9 & 12:1-3

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Have you heard the story of the Tower of Babel before? In what context? What did you take away from it?

Why do you think God disapproves of the builders’ plans? What does the text say the “problems” are?

Kenny suggests that the deeper issues are clarified when we think about “ziggurats.” What did you learn about these other structures in the Ancient Near East? How does this knowledge inform our understanding of Biblical story?

How might we, as a church, be prone to “transactional models” for our relationship with God? What might this look like?

How might we, in our personal lives, be prone to these same sorts of models? What might this look like?

Is it possible that there is purpose in scattering the people? How might it serve God’s ultimate plans? What does it enable?

What does the story of The Tower of Babel teach us about our motivations in our relationship with God and worship?

How does the story of Pentecost–where God chooses to dwell in the hearts of His followers–interact with the story of the Tower of Babel?

What do you think we can learn from this story about who God is, who we are, and how we might best relate to Him?