THE POWER OF A GOOD QUESTION
©2003 by Gene Brooks. All Rights Reserved. Home

Luke 9:18-20; Matthew 21:31; 22:42; John 5:6; Luke 18:41

Jesus’ Questions: Simple, Clear, Never condescending, Always provocative, Aware of audience

In a small group, the question is everything.

What do you think?

What feelings does Jesus’ statement provoke in you?

With which character do you most identify in this passage?

What contrasts do you note in this story?

HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS IN A SMALL GROUP

1- This is not a test. It is a discussion.

a. Sometimes we ask questions like we are administering a test.

b. POOR: “What five key features of the sanctified mind are found in Romans 8?”

c. You are not searching Scripture. You are searching questioner’s mind for the right answer!

d. POOR:“Why do you say that?”

2- This is not a courtroom. Don’t ask leading questions.

a. “Don’t you think bingo is included under God’s prohibition of gambling?”

b. “Why do you think that we should build a new church building?”

c. “In what ways are you like the Pharisees in this passage?”

d. “On the basis of 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, tell us why you think tongues has ceased.”

3- This is not twenty questions. One question at a time.

a. “How does the lack of forgiveness affect the one who has done harm, the one who has been harmed, and each person’s relationship with God?”

b. “From 1 Corinthians 15, do you think Paul is writing about bodily resurrection, spiritual resurrection, both, or none of the above? Why or why not? Please give Biblical references and tell us how you arrived at that conclusion, along with your belief in whether there is such a thing as bodily resurrection. Also discuss whether you think we will be bodily or spiritually resurrected and your Scriptural basis for that as well.”

c. “Let’s go around the room. Please tell us your name, your city and state, your occupation, your spiritual gifts, how you have used them in the last five years, and the type of toothpaste you most use. Please get in the group with those who use your brand of toothpaste.”

4- This is not an SAT. Use Simple language.

a. “In 1 Corinthians 7, how does Paul apply an eschatological hermeneutic to our process of decision-making about relationships?”

b. “How do you think prophetic intercession and warfare worship intersect to bring ethnic reconciliation?”

c. “Please describe identificational repentance through the lens of a proper exegetical exposition.”

d. Unlce Versey on Battle of the Bulge: “When our armies regroups, and they cut off standersby and other enemy protagernists, and they re-progest on their war supplies, I am extemporaneously yet completely confidenced that they will reliver an overwhelming semanual.”

5- Use open-ended questions.

a. “Do you identify with any of the characters in this story?” à “In what ways do you identify with the characters in this story?”

b. “Are there seven key words here?” à “What key words do you notice?”

c. “In Genesis 1:1, who created the heavens and the earth?”

6- Help people talk to each other.  Not all to the leader, but interaction among the whole group.

7- Keep the big picture in mind to guide discussion.

a. Don’t let things get out on rabbit trails. Stick to what you are there for.

b. “It is intriguing to wonder about Iraq’s place in Bible prophecy. Thanks for telling us about SCUD spelled backwards in this passage, Ben. Could you or someone else help us understand why Gideon persevered in the face of fear and tore down the altar in this passage?”

c. Mother’s prayer group: “What can we pray for you?” à “What two things can we pray for your children?”

Page created July 23, 2003.
Updated November 29, 2003.

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