LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Genesis 11:1-9, the people of the earth, still united after the flood, began building a tower to make a name for themselves rather than honor God. Though God had instructed Noah’s descendants to spread out and repopulate the earth, they stayed together and tried to show off their own greatness by constructing a tower that reached the sky. This act of defiance and pride showed their desire to rely on themselves rather than submit to God’s plan.
God intervened by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another. This halted the construction of the tower and forced them to scatter across the world, fulfilling God’s original command. This lesson helps children understand the difference between healthy pride and the kind of pride that leads us away from God. It also reinforces that only God is worthy of our worship and praise.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00–6:15 | Build the Tallest Tower
Items Needed
- Large Jenga Blocks or Duplos
Let the kids work together to build the tallest tower possible. When it falls, talk about why we can’t always do things on our own.
SONG 6:20–6:30
Listen to the song once, then repeat it and have kids try to do the motions.
PRAYER 6:30–6:40
- Sing “Whisper a Prayer”
- Form a prayer circle.
- Sample Prayer: “Dear God, help us remember that You are the greatest. Help us to do things for You, not just for ourselves. Thank You for loving us. Amen.”
BIBLE STORY 6:40–6:50
- Question 1: What book of the Bible is this in? (Genesis)
- Question 2: Is Genesis in the Old or New Testament? (Old Testament)
Story:
After the great flood, Noah’s family grew and filled the earth with people. But instead of spreading out like God asked, the people stayed in one place. They said, “Let’s build a big city and a tower so tall it touches the sky! Then everyone will know how great we are!”
God saw what they were doing. They were only thinking about themselves and not about Him. They were using their own strength and not asking God for help. So God mixed up their language. Suddenly, people couldn’t understand each other. It was very confusing! They had to stop building. The place was called “Babel” because everyone was babbling in different words. The people moved away to different places, just like God wanted.
Theological Questions:
- Who is the only one worthy of our praise? (God)
- Why did God stop the people from building the tower? (Because they were being prideful and disobedient)
Life Application Questions:
- Have you ever tried to do something all by yourself and it didn’t work?
- What can you do to remember God when you’re proud of something?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, help us remember to do everything with You in mind. We want to worship You and not ourselves. Amen.”
BIBLE CRAFT 6:50–7:00 | Eraser Stamp the Tower of Babel
Items Needed
- Erasers (1 per child)
- Printout of Tower on cardstock
- Paint
Have children dip their erasers in different color paint to create the their own “brick” colorful Tower of Babel.
SNACK TIME & CENTERS 7:00–7:15
Items Needed
- Coloring Page
- Crayons
- Snack
Children enjoy a snack while coloring a printable related to the story. Quiet music can play as kids reflect on the lesson.
BONUS ACTIVITY 7:15-7:30 | Tower Building Relay
Items Needed
- Large Jenga Blocks
Divide the kids into two teams. Kids will run down to the end of the room and grab one block and put it on the tower. Then they will run back and tag the next person in line. That person will run down and grab a block and put it on the tower. They will repeat until all of the blocks have been used.
If the tower falls over, they have to start over building. The first team to complete building the tower wins.
IF TIME ALLOWS, THEY CAN ALSO WATCH THIS VIDEO AT THE END OF CLASS.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE | Genesis 11:1-9 (KJV)
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
- Today’s Key Takeaway: God deserves praise
- What I Learned Today:
- People wanted to be more important than God.
- God stopped them by confusing their language.
- God wants us to praise Him, not ourselves.
- Questions to Ask Me:
Theological- Who should we worship? (God)
- What did the people try to build? (A tower to the sky)
- Why did God stop the tower? (People were prideful)
- What happened to their language? (It was confused)
- What does God want us to do? (Follow His plan)
- Have you ever felt proud? (Yes)
- Is it okay to feel proud sometimes? (Yes, if we thank God)
- What should you do when you do something great? (Thank God)
- How can you show humility? (Put others first)
- What can you say to remind yourself God is best? (“God is the greatest!”)
