ASK AWAY

Good questions serve as the hinges that open the door to people’s deepest thoughts about their faith. The right questions asked in the right spirit can force that door to swing even wider to a broader, deeper faith. And questions can keep that door from slamming shut—sometimes for months or years.
• How do you keep a heart desperate to know God and be like him?
• What makes you hate sin?
• What do you do that motivates others?
• If someone other than God could’ve heard you pray today, what would he or she find that is important to you?

• What are one or two things you know now that you wish you had known when you first started following God?
• What did God use in your life to make you a leader? Was it your background? other people? your gifts?
• What do you most desire to learn in the future?
• What aspects of living for God are the most difficult for you?
• If I could look at the markings in your Bible, which Scriptures would I find have consistently mattered to you?
• What are some areas you wish you’d received more help with in your spiritual growth?
• What’s your picture of who Jesus is?
• Could you describe for me the God you believe in?
• What is the best imaginable thing you could do to make God smile (that is, if God has teeth)?
• Why did Jesus often contrast fear and faith?
• When you think of Jesus, do you think of furniture (because he was a carpenter)? What do you think of?
The key to asking faith questions is patience. I’m learning I must be patient while my questions echo in people’s hearts. I’ll only know their deeper, holier, stronger, better thoughts if I wait for them. And unless I respect and listen to their changing perceptions, I contribute to the silence of their spiritual growth. A question goes a long way when it comes to helping people express their faith.

By Carolyn Teague. Previously published in Group Magazine.