HCBC Sunday School - “Friends” Class
Scattered! (Genesis 11:1-9)

1) First Thoughts
a. Within a few generations after the flood, humanity had already lost sight of the judgment against sin. People continued to disobey God and instead stubbornly determined to do things their own way. Our sinful nature delights in self-centered pursuits. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. ~ I Samuel 15:23a
2) Understand the Context
a. While God intended for Noah’s descendants to spread across the earth and repopulate the planet, they tried to circumvent God’s plan by staying in one place. The tower of Babel was a symbol of their arrogance and rebellion against God.
3) Explore the Text
a. United by a sinful purpose (11:1-4)
i. Only humans use spoken words. Differences in language can create separation. Nimrod means “we shall rebel”.
ii. Notice the sinful nature – a city, a tower, and a name.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. ~ Romans 12:3
iii. “Go to, let us” – wrong way to build anything (home, church, a nation):
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. ~ Psalm 127:1
…, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18
b. Reviewed by God (11:5)
i. When we lose sight of how big God is, it becomes easier for us to see our own accomplishments as bigger than they actually are. Our pride always grows in direct proportion to the distance between us and God.
c. Scattered by confusion (11:6-9)
i. Filled with pride, they were intent on building a civilization that did not acknowledge God.
ii. God was not interested in destroying the people but in keeping the people from destroying themselves by establishing a way of life that excluded Him.
4) In My Context/Memory Verse:
a. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. ~ Romans 14:12