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?

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?