Great Questions

 Michael Sprague

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

My life was deeply touched by an Epic Fail Conference the J. R. Briggs put on a few years back. Yes, a failure conference! It was significant since at a time I was figuring out what biblical success was and how to navigate real or perceived failure. J. R. has just published a book, “The Art of Asking Better Questions”. It too, made be think deeply.

Do we have a shortage of wisdom, curiosity, and wonder? Has asking questions become a lost art? Do we yearn to go deeper with God, friends, family and colleagues?

Great questions can change lives and even history:

1. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” JFK

2. “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” Reagan 

3. “Do you want to sell sugar water the rest of your life, or do you want to come with me and change the world?” Jobs

4. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” Serpent 

5. “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” David 

6. “ What do you want me to do?”Jesus 

There is something redemptive and life-giving about asking significant questions. Here are a few good ones you might want to think about or ask others .

1. What kind of old man or woman do I want to be?

2. What is God’s invitation to me in this crazy situation?

3. In three adjectives, how would you describe your month? The state of your soul?

4. What’s your story?

5. What is the best part about where you grew up?

6. Where do I need to extend grace and mercy to others? To myself?

7. What risks do I need to take this year?

8. Where do I long for God to work in my life? My community?

9. What parts of me need correction?

10. Am I ready to face death?

11. How do I prioritize the demands being made on my life?

12. Who was I as a child, and what powers back then influenced the person I am today?

13. What are the things you’re excited or intrigued about currently?

14. For churches- Are we striving to grow a spiritual organism or build a religious machine? How do we help people fall more in love with Jesus?

Did one of these questions strike a nerve with you? 

Do you want to try and answer it here?

What is a thoughtful question you have been asking yourself or others?