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Genesis 11 1. Verse 1 gives a brief description of the world as it existed after Noah. What does it say about the world?
What do you think the world would be like today if we all spoke the same tongue?
Find the land of Shinar on a map? In what present day country is it located?
What did the people decide to do?
What were their building materials?
2. Many people have heard of the tower of Babel. However, in verse 4, what are the people building?
What do you think they meant when they said they wanted to build a “tower that reaches to the heavens”?
Might this have anything to do with the flood? Please explain.
All through the Bible, God tells us that the heart is the key. Now let’s look at these people’s hearts. Why did they want to build the city and the tower?
Let’s look more carefully at their reasons. First, they said they wanted to make a name for themselves. Is there anything wrong with this? If so, please explain. (Look at Psalm 73:6 and Proverbs 16:18.)
Are people still trying to make names for themselves through their own accomplishments? Please give some examples.
Have you tried or are you trying to build a name for yourself?
How can we keep human achievements from becoming monuments to man? For example, how can we keep this church building from becoming a source of pride and a monument to ourselves?
Now look at Matthew 7:24-27. What do Jesus’ words have to do with this story of Babel?
Their second reason for building the city was to keep them from being “scattered over the face of the whole earth”. What is wrong with this reason? (Look at Genesis 9:7).
3. Verse 5 is very interesting. What does it mean to you that God came down to see what the city was like?
To whom is the LORD speaking when He says “us” in verse 6?
Does God still come down to “look” at what we are doing? Please explain.
What does God say about the people?
4. What does it mean for people to abide in unity?
Read Psalm 133. What does this Psalm mean to you?
Read Matthew 17:20-23. Why do you believe Jesus prayed this prayer?
How important was it to Jesus that we be unified?
Read Romans 15:5-6. How do these scriptures tie to the story of Babel?
What can we do to work together in unity so that nothing would be impossible for us through Christ Jesus?
What can you do?
5. This passage shows us that man’s attempts to achieve unity will not succeed. Yet, God wants us to dwell together in unity. How can we achieve unity in Christ without becoming prideful?
6. What does God decide to do to prevent them from accomplishing their objective?
What does it mean to you that God confused their language?
Why would this cause the people to scatter?
7. Look at verse 6. How does this verse relate to God’s instructions to Adam and Eve and to Noah and his family?
8. The city was thereafter called “Babel”. What does “Babel” mean?
Again, where is the present-day location of Babel?
In what way or ways are we still seeing men building monuments to themselves that they might be like God?
In what way or ways are we still seeing confusion reign in this area?
How can this area be changed or can it? Please explain.
What does it meant to you that events thousands of years ago are still affecting us today?
9. Beginning with verse 10, we see a shift from the families of the earth to one family. Whose family?
Why do you believe God has moved from all the families of the earth to this one family?
Read vv. 10-26. Trace the lineage of Shem.
Before we leave this genealogy, let’s look at a few interesting things. At about what age did people have children?
What do you notice about the lifespan of Shem’s descendents?
10. This genealogy ends with Terah. Who was he?
Do you notice anything different about him? If so, please explain.
Verse 26 lists his three sons. Usually, sons are listed from the oldest to the youngest, but not in this case. (Let’s do a little math.)
How old was Terah when he became a father for the first time?
How old was Terah when he died? (See verse 32.)
Later, we read that Abram was 75 when Terah died and Abram left for Canaan. Therefore, how old was Terah when Abram was born?
If Abram was not the oldest, why do you believe he is mentioned first?
11. In verse 28, we learn that Terah was from what land?
Where is the modern day location of Ur?
What can you learn about the worship practices of the people in Ur?
According to verse 31, where was Terah taking his family?
Whom did Terah take with him?
Where did Terah stop and settle down?
Why do you believe he did not continue his journey to Canaan?
12. Who was Abram’s wife?
These verses say very little about Abram’s wife with one exception. What do we learn about her in verse 30?
How do you think this made Sarai feel? (Look again at God’s instructions to Adam and Eve and to Noah.)
Why do you think God included this piece of information?
What can we learn about Abram from this?
13. Can you think of a reason why the place Terah settled would be named Haran? |