The Lord's Prayer
Daily Bible Studies for the Week of August 3, 2009
This Week’s Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9 NLT
1At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.
3They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”
5But the LORD came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. 6“Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”
8In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for a new week in which to live, and move and have my being in You! I praise You for Your written word and ask that as I read and study it this week that You will open it to my understanding and fill me with the Holy Spirit that I may live it and express it to others. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
1At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. Genesis 11:1-2 NLT
What would be the advantage to all the people in the world speaking the same language?
Why do you think they “migrated to the east” together?
Today’s Challenge: I will use my ability to communicate with others to share the Good News of Jesus with those I meet!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that I may always use the gifts and abilities You have given me to glorify and honor You! Keep me from any plan that would elevate me and put You down in my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may both hear and do Your will! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
3They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” Genesis 11:3-4 NLT
What was the purpose of the people’s “building project”?
Do you think this purpose honored God? Why or why not?
Today’s Challenge: I will live to glorify God and not myself!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I invite You to “come down” and examine my life. I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that all that I am and all that I do will glorify You. This I pray in Jesus’ name, and for the sake of His coming Kingdom. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
5But the LORD came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. Genesis 11:5 NLT
Why do you think the Lord “came down” to look at the city and the tower the people were building?
Do you think the Lord “comes down” and looks at what we’re building in our lives today? Why or why not?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that whatever I build will glorify God!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You have given us many gifts and abilities, and even when we live on our own, You tell us that we can do amazing things. I pray that we will NOT live on our own, but that our goal will to be live in and for You. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
6“Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! Genesis 11:6 NLT
Do you think the Lord saw it as a good thing that nothing people set out to do would be impossible for them? Why or why not?
What does this say about the human potential movement and those that say there is no need for God in our lives?
Today’s Challenge: I will set my heart on the things of God!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You once confused the languages of all the people, but that You sent Jesus to undo the consequences of Babel in our lives. I pray that You will give me the ability to interpret Your good news to those around me so that they, too, may become part of Your eternal Kingdom. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
7Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.” Genesis 11:7 NLT
Why do you think God confused the people’s language?
What consequences would there be from people not being able to understand one another?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that I may draw people together instead of causing them to separate!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You again for sending Jesus into the world to gather us from the four corners of the earth to follow You! I pray that today as I reflect on Your presence and power in my life, that You will also use me to draw others to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
8In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. Genesis 11:8-9 NLT
What are some of the consequences of God’s action at “Babel” that still exist to this day?
How did Jesus’ coming to the earth start to reverse the situation that began when God confused our language at “Babel”?
Today’s Challenge: I will live in the power of the Holy Spirit and thus help “undo” Babel in my own life!