Confused Language
What are you even saying?
What do you think it sounded like when the people were building and talking? Genesis 11:1-9 tells a story that feels a little familiar for these days.
What do you think it sounded like when their words were confused?
Try this little mindfulness exercise with your grownup or kid. Sometimes, the way people speak with each other these days might make us feel like our language is confused, too. People we used to understand now say things we can’t believe they said
What is important to remember as we communicate with our neighbors?
Listen to this episode on the Sacred Sparks Podcast?
Consider
Let’s see how well we do at some language. Look around you and pick three items you can see - maybe a tree, a bike, an apple? Next, get a partner.
One of you will be the word receiver and one of you will be the word teller. But, you are not going to say the word, you are going to spell the word on your partner’s back. Then, they have to guess the word. Try not to giggle too much. Okay, ready. Try it! (This idea is similar to a practice from this site. Check out more!)
Did anyone feel confused about the words?
Today, we have a story about communication and people and confusion. That’s a lot to put into one story from Genesis. But let’s go.
Read Genesis 11:1-9 with your grownup.
This story is a story of beginnings. It’s not a history book. Notice there’s no date listed (like, the third Wednesday in September or something) for when the Tower of Babel fell down.
Consider, more.
The story is told in a way that describes a time, and explains something that is now different from that time. Once, the people spoke in a way in which they could all communicate well. But now they don’t. Scholars have done some thinking about why this story in the Bible says God changed the language. There are different thoughts on that.
But I want us to think about something: the intention of the builders in this story.
Why did they want to build the most gigantic tower, anyway? Did they intend to build something for the good of the community? For the peace and wholeness of everyone? Um, no. It says they build the biggest tower “to make a name for themselves” We don’t know exactly why God disrupts what they are building. But we do see that God notices the people, and their intentions. Let’s wonder a little.
Wonder:
What do you think it sounded like when the people were building and talking? What do you think it sounded like when their words were confused?
Confusing the language sounds really wild. Imagine that people you had once spoken to, who understood you, did not seem to understand you anymore. And, you did not understand them one bit! What would that kind of confusion do to a group of people?
What feelings do you think the people in this story had when their language was confused? When people are not understood well, sometimes they act out of their fear or frustration. What does it look like for someone to act out of their fear? Their frustration?
Understanding each other is very important to being able to build something together. What do you think the people had to do to understand each other when they no longer spoke the same language?
Sometimes, the way people speak with each other these days makes me think our language is confused. People I used to understand, even if I disagreed with about church or politics, now say things I can’t believe they said. And I have felt like they don’t understand the things I say or believe either. Has this happened to you?
What is important to remember as we communicate with these neighbors?
Assurance of Belovedness:
Grown ups, look your kid in their eyes. Offer these words to them. Kids, look your grown up in the eyes, and offer these words to them: “I know you want to be heard and understood. When language is confusing, love is the thing that connects us, always.”
Ignite
Hearing, learning and speaking different languages is beautiful! What is one language you would like to learn to speak fluently?
Some scholars like to things of Babel as a moment of separating people into diverse groups and Pentecost as a moment of connecting people. It’s an interesting parallel in the story of the Bible. Do a little search on that, or ask a leader in your faith community - see what you think!
What are five ways we can communicate well with people who speak differently or think differently than we do? Use your most fun pens or markers and make a list!
Thank you!
I am so grateful you have taken the time to experience Sacred Sparks. This work is done with intention and a lot of heart.
Gratefully,
Erin Robinson Hall
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