Asking Better Questions
Questions are so important! In fact, I think one of the greatest skills in life to develop is the ability to ask questions. The questions you ask determine the answers you find. Questions that are left unasked become the answers left unknown and the stories that remain untold. Questions can lead to self-discovery, self-reflection and ultimately self-awareness.
Andy Stanley says: “There’s a difference between asking God a question and questioning God.” This speaks to the notion that asking questions is only for skeptics, doubters, or hard-hearted people. In fact, when you read the firsthand gospel accounts of the New Testament, Jesus is shown asking 307 questions. In addition, Jesus was asked over 180 questions – only a few of which he actually point blank answered. It would appear that asking intentional questions was important to Jesus – so it should matter to us as well!
So, whether you’re loaded with questions of your own; or asking better questions is a skill you’d like to hone, this article is designed to share three of my favorite questions I’ve personally come across and wrestled with:
1. Jesus asked: “What do you want me to do for you?” (See Mark 10:51 as well as Luke 18:41)
I already mentioned that Jesus was known for asking questions. This appears to be a highly effective teaching method. Out of all the questions Jesus asks – this one stands out to me.
In this case, both gospel writers (Mark and Luke) each found this question important enough to document in their accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth. In both cases, Jesus asks this question to a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. The blind beggar called out repeatedly and emphatically to Jesus (whom he obviously could not see) yet had somehow heard had the ability to heal diseases, infirmities, and illnesses of many kinds.
Initially, Bartimaeus’ response to Jesus might not surprise you. A blind man who wants to receive healing and be given the ability to see seems to make sense. Jesus does heal this man and also makes a statement about his faith which made him well.
As A.W. Tozer has said: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” I believe similarly to that, the questions we ask Jesus and the answers we give to Jesus’ own questions tells us a lot about ourselves and ultimately our faith (or lack thereof).
Jesus is still on His throne seated at the right hand next to God the father in heaven – and I believe His posture remains the same today extending you and I that same offer through prayer. What is it that you want God to do? Your answer to that question reveals your theology about God and who you believe Him to be (or not) and demonstrates how powerful (or not) your faith is.
Do you think God is a cosmic type of vending machine? A genie of the sorts? A search engine? Or a loving father who loves spending time with you, desires to give you good gifts, and simply adores hearing your voice in prayer and worship?
2. Ryan Leak asked me “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?”
I have to be honest that this question stopped me in my tracks. Why? Because the fear of failure has held me back so many times. My guess is, it’s held you back a time or two as well. I remember hearing Doug Clay (The General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God) share at a pastoral leadership conference that “The fear of failure has killed more ministries that moral failures have.” Not only does this apply to ministry leaders, but it applies to humans. It’s normal and natural to fear failing. Failing isn’t exactly fun or exhilarating if you ask me.
The key though here is dreaming bigger. If failure could not happen, if it weren’t on the table as even a remote possibility, self-confidence goes up! More importantly, faith rises. So what holds us back? Maybe you’ve tried before and failed and that feeling has held you back from ever trying again. Maybe perfectionism runs in your family history or in your enneagram/personality type or just in your blood and peace needs to be made with imperfection.
Whatever aspect of fearing failure has held you back, here are a few power thoughts that can boost your faith:
God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
God cannot fail! (Matthew 19:26)
God has created you to be more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus, His son! (Romans 8:37)
God can do immeasurably more than we can ask, think or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)
3. Jim Stovall once asked Micah and I on an episode of the youngadults.today podcast: “What would you do if you were amazing?”
Jim’s story is super important when we look at this question. He is actually amazing - his story has been a source of inspiration and encouragement to me. He was a star athlete and olympic weightlifter when as a young adult, he lost his sight and went blind. His pain and confusion has lead him to create a technology for the 13+ million visually impaired individuals in America to be able to listen to and understand movies through subtitle reading. He has written dozens of books with 50+ million copies sold and many of them have been turned into motion picture films such as The Ultimate Gift.
If I were amazing, I would do amazing things! I want to be amazing, and so do you! Guess what? God says you are amazing! In Ephesians 2:10 He calls you His masterpiece. In 1 Peter 2:9 God says this about you: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Go be amazing! Do whatever amazing might look like. In both the mundane moments as well as the major moments. Maybe amazing looks like launching that new dream of a book, podcast, non-profit, or business into the world. Maybe amazing is buying a friend a cup of coffee. The important thing to recognize is that when you realize that God is the way-maker in your life, it empowers you to be a day-maker in the lives of others. That is AMAZING!
Let’s be amazing!
Maybe even the thought of asking questions intimidates you. I can relate pretty well with this. I went through a season of life I thought asking questions showed a sign of weakness. At the time I was thinking about becoming a financial advisor and had an internship in that field. In a meeting with one of the wealthiest and most powerful people I think I’ve met with. I watched him trade millions of dollars in stock casually during our meeting. He told me never to be afraid of asking a question. I would leave you with that. Don’t be afraid of asking or answering difficult questions!
What about you?
What questions have you been asked that have stopped you in your tracks?
How about what questions do you have about life, faith, purpose, meaning, existence?