Are you ready to grow as a disciplemaker who asks good questions, like Jesus? This blog takes a look at a number of questions Jesus asked and invites you to investigate further. (This can also be a great resource to do with the person you are discipling.)
In his book Curious, Tom Hughes points out that in the Gospels, Jesus is asked 183 questions. Do you know how many He answers? Only four. The other questions He responds to with another question, a parable, or a cryptic remark. Do you know how many questions Jesus Himself asks? 307! Hughes goes on to point out that “we can slide into thinking that Jesus is interested in always and only ensuring that we have the right answers. The reality turns out to be somewhat different. He seems more interested in ensuring that we are considering the right questions.”
Jesus was a Master at asking great questions – the kind of questions people answered; the kind of questions that prompted self-awareness; the kind of questions that led to repentance, forgiveness, and abundant Life. So, how can we be more like Jesus as we lead and disciple? How – instead of jumping in with opinions and ‘right answers’ – can we begin to ask great questions that lead to the Way, the Truth, and the Life?
Here is a simple, short Bible Study you can do to grow as a disciplemaker who asks good questions, like Jesus. This can also be a great resource to do with the person you are discipling to develop them and prepare them to be a disciple who makes disciples.
Instructions:
- Choose a question from the below list.
- Consider: do you have any emotional response to the question before you do any study on it? Why do you respond this way? How would you answer?
- Read its surrounding context (the verses before and after the question).
- Note: Who is Jesus talking to? Where are they talking? What prompted their conversation?
- Consider: What prompted Jesus asking His question? Was there an “obvious” answer He could have given instead? Why do you think He chose this question to ask?
- Consider: How does the person respond to Jesus’ question? What deeper thinking about faith/God’s character/the person’s identity does His question encourage?
- Explore: Is there a situation similar to this one somewhere else in the Bible? Where else does Jesus ask a similar question, or give an answer to the question He asks? Is there somewhere else in the Bible that answers the question Jesus asks? Maybe look up the provided “Cross-references to consider.”
- Consider: After taking time to study this question, now how would you answer?
- Pray: Is there a specific situation Jesus wants to ask this question to you? Is there a place you can apply what you’ve learned to your own life, either in the way you think of God’s character, the way you think of your identity as a child of God, or in the way you act towards others?
Jesus’ Questions (in no particular order):
We’ve given suggested cross-references for the first five questions to help you get started!
“What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41)
- Cross-references to consider: Isaiah 7:10-13, Matthew 7:7-12, James 1:5, 1 John 5:14-15
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?” (Matthew 9:28)
- Cross-references to consider: Mark 9:23-25, James 1:6, Hebrews 11:1
“Why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:26)
- Cross-references to consider: 1 John 4:18, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9
“Do you love me?” (John 21:17)
- Cross-references to consider: John 14:21, John 15:9-17, 1 John 3:16
“Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29)
- Cross-references to consider: Hebrews 11:1, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 Timothy 2:5
“Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)
“Who touched me?” (Mark 5:30)
“Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
“Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes by fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember…?” (Mark 8:17-18)
“Are you also going to leave?” (John 6:66-67)
“Do not the unbelievers do the same?” (Matthew 5:47)
“Why are you anxious about clothes?” (Matthew 6:28)
“Why do you notice the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)
“How many loaves do you have?” (Matthew 15:34)
“Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign?” (Mark 8:12)
“Do you see anything?” (Mark 8:23)
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “Who do you read it?” (Luke 10:26)
“…who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11)
