Sunday Children’s Services 9 and 10:45am
This week’s lesson
KNOW THIS
This new series is all about CHALLENGES!
Have you ever been on a really tall roller coaster or a really tall building? Have you ever thought about how it was built? It can be a pretty amazing thing!
THIS SNEAK PEEK HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND
READ WITH US HERE
THINK ABOUT THIS
This is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. It is the tallest building in the world. How tall do you think it is?
It is 828 meters, which is 2,717 feet. It has more than 2,000 rooms, has an observation deck at the top, and takes only two minutes to get to the top floor using the elevator.
This is a really tall tower that really exists today. Do you think we could build anything taller?
How high do you think people could build a tower?
Let’s understand: Is building a tall tower a bad thing? Although there may be some danger in building something this tall, God didn’t stop the building of the Burj Khalifa.
These tower builders lived on earth just after the flood cleansed the earth of terrible wickedness. But still the people decided not to follow God. They did not put God first in their lives. Instead, they had an idea to build a really tall tower to reach Heaven.
Wait–do you think they could have built all the way to Heaven? Not even close.
So why was this such a big deal?
The people directly disobeyed the command God gave to them in Genesis 9:1, to “multiply and fill the earth.” God wanted His people to spread out and inhabit the entire earth, enjoying what He had made and living for Him.
Instead, the people lived together in one city, and decided they could do great things without God. In Genesis 11:4, the people said they wanted to build a magnificent city with a tower that reached the heavens so they “wouldn’t be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” That is the direct opposite of what God commanded Noah, his three sons, and their descendants.
They were not putting God first, they were looking to themselves. They lifted themselves in pride and looked for ways to “make a name for themselves.”
That is sin: going our own way instead of looking to God, living for God, and obeying His word is a sin.
Is sin such a big deal? YES.
God knew that was not the best way for His people to live, and He loved them too much to let it continue. God did not punish the people for this sin–in His mercy, He only confused their languages. Imagine the frustration the people felt when they could no longer understand each other! Without the ability to communicate properly, the big building project could no longer continue.
“So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”
Families that could understand each other set off, away from the city, to settle in their own area with their own language. That is how the nations of the earth were separated.
And as a result, God’s perfect plan for people to multiply and fill the earth was fulfilled.
Try THIS
Did you ever see a cup speed stacking competition? It requires skill, focus and lots of practice. Watch this champion speed stacker!
God gave us many incredible abilities–many ways that we can build things, design things, find faster and smarter ways of doing things!
Here is another cup stacking challenge you can try at home. Let’s watch Faith and Ms. Tammy try to build a tall tower!
As you go through your life, you will gain even more abilities. Do you think it is important to keep God as the foundation of your life?
How high do you think you could build a tower?
Do you think you could build it higher with the help of another person? Another person could help you with an extra pair of hands, or you could hold it steady while the other person adds more levels. You can share ideas with another person and come up with great new ways of constructing a taller tower. By working together, people can accomplish more.
SAY "HELLO" IN 18 languages
French
Formal: Bonjour
Informal: Salut
Italian
Formal: Salve
Informal: Ciao
German
Formal: Guten Tag
Informal: Hallo, Hi
Korean
Formal: Anyoung haseyo
Informal: Anyoung
Danish
Formal: Goddag
Informal: Hej, Halloj
Hindi
Formal: Namaste, Namaskar
Informal: Hai, Helo
Spanish
Formal: Hola
Informal: Que tal? (What’s up?)
Japanese
Formal: Konnichiwa
Informal: Ya, Yo
Portuguese
Formal: Ola
Informal: Oi
Swahili
Formal: Shikamoo
Informal: Habari, Hujambo
Dutch
Formal: Goedendag
Informal: Hoi, Hallo
Indonesian
Formal: Selamat siang
Informal: Halo
Russian
Formal: Zdravstvuyte
Informal: Privet
Chinese
Formal: Nin hao
Informal: Ni hao
Arabic
Formal: Asalaam alaikum (Peace be upon you)
Informal: Ahlan
Greek
Formal: Yassas
Informal: Yassou
Polish
Formal: Dzien dobry
Informal: Czesc, Witaj
Hebrew
Formal: Shalom
Informal: Hey
There are more than 6,500 known spoken languages in the world. Most have only a small number of people speaking them.
Just like every person is unique and different, each nation and language is different. But we’re all created by the same God. Learning to speak other languages helps us connect with God’s people all over the world.
THESE KIDS CAN SPEAK MANY LANGUAGES!
If you could learn a new language right now, which one would you want to learn?
It’s easy to see that it would be much easier to travel around the world and work together with people of other nations if everyone spoke and understood the same language. But what might happen then?
He must become greater, I must become less. The one who comes from above is above all. John 3:30-31
This statement was spoken by John the Baptist. God gave John the responsibility to prepare the hearts of the people to meet Jesus by teaching people about Jesus and asking them to turn away from their sin.
John was someone who knew that living for God was way more important than living for himself, and this gave him a lot of joy. By choosing to follow God, you allow Him to be greater than yourself in your life. This can bring you a lot of joy, too!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
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What did God command the people to do?
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Why do you think the people disobeyed God?
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Why do you think God didn’t want the people to build the tower?
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What made it difficult for the people to keep working on their tower?
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How do you think the people in this Bible story felt when God put a stop to them building their tower?
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What are some things God commands us to do?
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Why is it important to put God first?
Remember THIS
God didn’t want the people He loved to continue to disobey Him. He cared about them and found a way to stop them from sinning–and to accomplish HIS purposes.
God doesn’t want us to live for ourselves, either.
It’s time for our Double Dog Dare challenge of the week! Your challenge this week is to put God first.
- Give thanks before every meal for at least one whole day!
- Pray first thing in the morning one day.
- Read your Bible before you watch TV one day.
- Memorize a new Scripture verse before you play outside or play a video game.
- If you receive something new or receive some money, thank God and find a way to give back to Him before you use it or spend it.
- Ask Mom or Dad, a grandparent or a neighbor if there is something you could help with before you enjoy your next free afternoon.
Here’s a playlist for you to praise God all week!
I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1
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MEMORY VERSE
