Weekly Bible Study | May 19 & 20, 2026

Axe UMCBible Study

This week we prepare for Pentecost Sunday and, in the process, compare and contrast two passages: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost. 

Babel and Pentecost are mirror stories. 

Babel reveals humanity’s tendency toward fear, control, and division. 

Pentecost reveals the Spirit’s power to create understanding, connection, and beloved community across differences.

ZOOM Session

Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

IN PERSON Session

Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Conference Room, McGee Building.

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 626 688 7263

Passcode: DEVOTIONAL

Opening Prayer

Holy Spirit, move among us today. Open our hearts to your wisdom and your truth. Where fear has hardened us, soften us. Where division has wounded us, heal us. Where we struggle to listen, teach us compassion. Help us hear your voice through scripture and through one another. Amen.

Scripture Readings

Genesis 11:1–9

Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2And as they migrated from the east, they came upon a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. 4Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise we shall be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.”

5The Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which mortals had built. 6And the Lord said, “Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7Come, let us go down, and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9Therefore it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Reflecting on the Passages

1. What similarities do you notice between Babel and Pentecost?

2. What important differences stand out?

3. What emotions or motivations seem to drive the people in Genesis 11?

4. What emotions or transformations do you see in Acts 2?

Discussion Questions

1. In Genesis, the people say: “Let us make a name for ourselves.” What do you think motivates them? What “towers” do people or societies build today?

2. In Acts, people hear the disciples speaking in many languages. Why is it important that diversity is preserved rather than erased?

3. What does Pentecost teach us about: community, belonging, and difference?

4. Fear and separation distort human life, while the Spirit draws us toward compassion, connection, and transformation. Where do you see fear shaping individuals, communities, or society today?

5. Individuals tend to focus on lives centered in fear and ego, while we are called toward a life centered in God. What does that movement look like practically? Have you experienced moments where fear gave way to deeper trust or connection?

6. Where do you notice “Babel” tendencies in your own life?

  • needing control,
  • fear of difference,
  • defensiveness,
  • difficulty listening,
  • building walls?

7. Where might the Spirit be inviting you toward greater openness or compassion?

8. What divisions most concern you in the world today?

9. How might the church become a more “Pentecost-shaped” community?

10. What would beloved community look like in practice:

  • in families,
  • churches,
  • neighborhoods,
  • or society?

Spiritual Practices for the Week

1. Practice Holy Listening

A. This week, intentionally listen to someone without interrupting or preparing your response. As you do so practice, curiosity, openness, compassion.

Afterward reflect: “What did I learn by listening?”

B. Using these holy listening skills, stretch yourself this week and reach out to someone outside your usual circle:

  • socially,
  • politically,
  • culturally,
  • generationally,
  • or spiritually.

Hard as it may be, the goal in this dialogue is not to debate—but to connect.

Afterward reflect: “What did I learn by listening?”

2. Notice Fear and Love

Each evening ask:

  • What fears shaped my reactions today?
  • Where did fear create distance?
  • Where did love create connection?

Pray: “Spirit of God move me from fear toward love.”    

Closing Prayer

Holy Spirit, you speak across every barrier we create. Teach us to listen deeply, love generously, and live courageously. Break down the walls fear has built within us. Lead us from division into understanding, from isolation into community, and from suspicion into compassion. Make us people of Pentecost — alive with your grace and open to your transforming presence. Amen.