Christ Community Olathe
Let Us Make a Name for Ourselves - 9:00 & 10:30am
Week 7 || Genesis: Let Us Make a Name for Ourselves
Date: 5.19.19
Text: Genesis 11:1-32
Conversation Starters help us dig deeper, connecting Sunday’s sermons with our everyday lives. These prompts have been designed to help Community Groups grow in their relationship with God, with one another, and with their neighbors.
In Genesis 11, things fall apart when humans once again try to put themselves in God’s place, just as Adam and Eve did. Instead of depending upon the Lord in humility and obedience, these humans sought independence from Him. Their disobedience, fueled by a desire for fame and glory, caused them to face grave consequences. They tried to create paradise without God, and in so doing, found themselves more isolated, less connected, and increasingly at odds with their Creator.
Think of a person or group that is primarily driven by a desire for fame, glory, and achievement. What makes you nervous about their approach to life?
READ Genesis 11:1-9. This passage has the marks of an ancient story. Yet in many ways, it’s not that ancient at all. Think about parallels between the actions of those in this narrative and the actions of men and women today. What similarities do you observe?
What are a few ways in which you are led by pride to ‘make a name for yourself’ (11:4)?
Instead of creating a name for ourselves, God invites us to make His name great through service, sacrifice, work, and creativity. What does it look like to for us contribute to the good of our city without falling prey to the temptation to make our names great?
Respond to this quote by John Stott in light of the passage and your discussion so far: “For the essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices himself for man and puts himself where only man deserves to be.”
PRAY. Ask the Lord to give you eyes to see where you live into the spirit of the world and are led by your pride. Praise Jesus for modeling perfect obedience and ask the Lord for courage to image Him in this midst of a world.
Genesis 11:1-32 ESV
Title: Let Us Make a Name for Ourselves
Scripture: Genesis 11:1-32
Speaker: Nathan Miller, NathanM@ChristCommunityKC.org
>> You can’t have Eden without God
>> We keep building the tower
>> We want our name not God’s
>> We need God to come down again
>> Identify the towers you’re building
>> Compare your accomplishments with God’s
>> Long for a better City