Ridiculously Practical Ways to Grow in Asking Great, Incisive Questions-J.R. Biggs

What questions are rolling around after the session?

Jesus grew up in rabbinical system that asked a lot of questions. 
Why does he ask so many questions? That’s what rabbis do.

I learned more about the passage by asking 100 questions than trying to have the answers. (Story of Abraham and Isaac)
Chuvruta-Hebrew process of asking questions

To Ask Great Questions
  • You have to be curious
  • You need Wisdom (Holy Spirit, Emotional IQ)
  • You need Compassion
  • You need Courage
There are four levels of questions.
  • Level 1-Simple Facts
  • Level 2-Feelings, Emotions, Motivations
  • Level 3-Desires, Passions
  • Level 4-Vulnerability, Intimacy
How to get better at asking questions:
  • Preparation
    • What type of question am I about to ask?  Motivation? Is it worth it to ask this question?
      • What have you done this week that has made you feel alive? Tell me your story.
      • Does this person want to be asked questions? Right time, Right place
      • How can I ask this question in an unbiased way?
    • Write down great questions.
    • Develop a list of 5-10 great questions that you can use at any time with anyone.
    • Study people who ask great questions. (Journalists, Nurses, Lawyers)
    • When studying the gospels, in red letter Bible, circle all the question marks.
      • Look at Paul, see God’s questions in OT, notice questions in Psalms
  • Practice
    • Don’t ask closed questions. Those questions that cannot be answered with one word.
    • Ask people about their hopes, dreams, desires, concerns, passions
    • Think about tone in your questions.  How matters. 
    • Think about talking time percentage.  How often are you speaking?
      • The best questions are often the shortest.
    • Write questions in the margins of the books you read.
    • When someone has responded to your question, how can you follow up with more questions?  Tell me more. Why is that?
    • When reading or studying the Bible, ask these 5 questions:
      • What is happening in the passage?
      • What do I like about this passage?
      • What do I not like about this passage?
      • What does this tell us about the nature of God? Who Jesus is?
        • What was Jesus posture and tone in this passage?
      • What are going to do with what you have learned in next 7 days?
    • Ask question and then shut up.
  • Reflection
    • Ask feedback questions for personal growth and development. Ask people you trust who will give honest feedback.
      • Only appropriate response: thank you. Don’t get defensive
    • Latch onto a grand question that you stick with for 6 months.
    • Pray that God will help you be a better question asker.
      • I believe God helps people become closer to God as I ask the best questions with the right motives to honor Jesus.
Don’t try to be interesting.  Be interested.
Jesus was fantastic noticer. Notice the invisibles around you.
How can we become like children in our asking questions?
Instead of  what is Jesus saying, maybe instead what is Jesus asking?
Like fire, have a reverence for questions (4 levels, wisdom, curious, compassion, courage)
Ministry of Presence-Henri Nouwen 

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