LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

Improving Our Skills in the Ministry—Using Questions Effectively

WHY IMPORTANT: If “the thoughts of a man’s heart are like deep waters,” then questions are like a bucket to draw them out. (Pr 20:5) Questions help us to involve our listeners. Answers to well-chosen questions often provide valuable feedback. Jesus used questions effectively. How can we imitate him?

Jesus asks one of his disciples a question

HOW TO DO IT:

Ask viewpoint questions. Jesus asked a series of questions to determine his disciples’ point of view. (Mt 16:13-16; be 238 ¶3-5) What viewpoint questions might you ask?
Ask leading questions. To correct Peter’s thinking, Jesus asked questions and provided possible answers that led Peter to the right conclusion. (Mt 17:24-26) What leading questions might you ask to help someone reach the right conclusion?
Commend your listener. After a scribe “answered intelligently,” Jesus commended him. (Mr 12:34) How might you commend someone who gives an answer to a question?

WATCH THE FIRST PART OF THE VIDEO DO THE WORK THAT JESUS DID—TEACH, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

Why is this an example of poor teaching, even though the information is accurate?
Why must we do more than just explain the information?

WATCH THE SECOND PART OF THE VIDEO, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

How did the brother use questions effectively?
What other aspects of his teaching can we imitate?

A man is overwhelmed when he is taught poorly; a man sees the truth clearly when he is taught effectively — What effect does our teaching have on others? (Lu 24:32)