Introduction: Why This Matters
Have you ever tried to do something your way without asking for help? Sometimes, we think we know best, but God has a greater plan. The story of the Tower of Babel shows us what happens when people rely on their own power instead of trusting God.
Today, we’ll learn how pride can lead us away from God and how we can seek His plan instead of our own.
1. Bible Reading: Genesis 11:1-9
“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’ But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’ So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.”
Explanation For Teenagers
The people of Babel wanted to build something great—but for their own glory, not God’s.
God saw their pride and stopped their plans because they were seeking power instead of seeking Him.
True success comes from following God’s plan, not from trying to elevate ourselves above Him.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the people wanted to build the tower?
- What are some ways people today try to “build their own towers” instead of trusting God?
- How can we make sure we are seeking God’s glory instead of our own?
2. Bible Reading: Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Explanation For Teenagers
Pride can make us think we don’t need God, but that leads to failure.
When we put our trust in ourselves instead of God, we end up making mistakes.
God wants us to depend on Him, not our own achievements or abilities.
Youth Group Discussion Questions
- Why do you think pride can be dangerous?
- Can you think of a time when pride got in the way of doing what was right?
- How can we stay humble and trust God’s plan instead of our own?
Youth Group Game: “Lost in Translation”
What You’ll Need:
- Simple phrases written in different languages (Google Translate can help)
- Paper and pens
How to Play:
- Divide the group into teams.
- Each team receives a phrase in a foreign language and must figure out what it means using teamwork.
- Afterward, discuss how confusing languages at Babel showed people that they needed to rely on God, not themselves.
Debrief
- What was the hardest part about trying to understand a different language?
- How does this relate to what happened at the Tower of Babel?
- How can we make sure we’re listening to God instead of just making our own plans?
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for teaching us through the story of Babel that Your plan is always better than ours. Help us to stay humble and seek Your will instead of chasing our own pride. Teach us to trust You in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.