Asking good questions.
The pastor Bob Grahmann once wrote:
"But the One who seemed to love questions the most was Jesus. He commended His disciples and 'those with them' for asking Him about the meaning of His parables, even saying that the questioners had found the secret of the Kingdom of God! (Mark 4:10-11). He got angry at the Pharisees when they stopped asking questions and were silent (Mark 3:5). He often answered a question with a question, to keep the question mode going (Mark 2:18-19; 24-25; John 1:48-50). Jesus summarized His view of questions when He told His disciples specifically to 'ask, and you will receive, seek, and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you, for whoever asks receives...' (Matt. 7:7-8). Jesus could not have been more clear in sharing the priority of asking questions and seeking."
In other words, God loves it when we ask him questions. Think of how compassionately Jesus responded to the skepticism of Thomas (John 20:24-29).
But Jesus is also an example for us to imitate. And he asked lots of people lots of questions!
**Good missionaries ask questions.**
We ask God questions. We ask ourselves questions. We ask other people questions.
When we ask questions, we are admitting we don't know it all (which is true). We're opening ourselves up to the influence of another person. We're building relationships. And we're learning how we could most effectively communicate the gospel to someone else.
What's one question you could ask one friend this week?
But Thomas (called "Twin"), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, "We've seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "If I don't see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe." A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don't be faithless, but believe." Thomas responded to him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said, "Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe."
What questions do you need to ask God right now?
What questions do you need to ask yourself about your participation in God's mission?
What's one question you could ask a friend this week that might open a spiritual conversation?
Write down three questions you want to ask God. Bring them to him in prayer and listen for his response.
This week, ask someone a thoughtful question about their beliefs, hopes, or struggles. Listen more than you talk.
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