Some Questions for our Friends

Jesus was a master of questions.

There are at least 188 unique questions that Jesus asked in all kinds of settings. Here are some categories and samples:

Authority/Truth:

But what does the Scripture say?

Consequences:

What reward will you get?

Curiosity:

What did you go out to see?

Value:

Will you give him a snake?

Reason/Common Sense:

Which proved to be a neighbor?

Circumstances/Observation:

How many loaves do you have?

Opinion:

Who do you say I am?

Description/Comparisons:

What is the Kingdom of God like?

Issues of the Heart:

Why are you so afraid?

Simple Rhetorical:

Have I not chosen you the 12?

Confrontation:

Why did you strike me?

One of the skills we can learn from Jesus is the skill of asking good questions. Here are some sample questions to consider asking our friends… but not all at once.

What are some questions you like to ask?

30 Questions for our Friends:

1. What are your thoughts about faith or spirituality?
2. Were you raised within a religious tradition? What was that like for you? How does it influence your life today?
3. What for you are some of the deeper questions in life? Do you think about them very much?
4. Do you think there is such a thing as spiritual truth? Are some spiritual ideas “truer” than others? How would we know?
5. What do you think about God? Do you think God exists? Why or why not?
6. Is God personal (with a mind & will) or impersonal (a force)?
7. Have you ever had a “divine encounter” where there was a mysterious sense of the presence of God?
8. What questions would you ask God if you could?
9. Why do people think favorably about Jesus? Why unfavorably?
10. What do you think about Jesus?
11. What do you think Jesus came to do? What was His purpose? Do you think He was raised from the dead?
12. What do you think about Christians? Are there any you admire?
13. What is the positive influence of Christianity in the world? The negative influence?
14. If there is one thing you could say to Christians (or to the Church) what would it be?
15. What do you think about the Bible? Have you ever explored it? Do you have any favorite verses or stories?
16. What do you think it means to be truly human? Is there an ideal we should strive for?
17. What do you think about meaning, purpose, and happiness? How do we achieve them?
18. How do we make moral choices? How do we decide between what is good and not good? Why do we have a conscience?
19. Do you think evil exists in the world today? If so, how would you define it? What are some questions you have about evil?
20. What’s your view of justice? Are there wrong-doers in society? If so, why do you think they do wrong? Should they be punished? Should systemic injustice be confronted? If so, how?
21. How do you decide what you value?
22. What is the most successful thing you have ever done? Why do you view it as “success?”
23. What significant things do you want to do with your life?
24. Who are some of your role models? Why do you admire them?
25. What is love? Why do people love?
26. Why is the world so divided today? Is there anything that can be done about it?
27. Are there things worth sacrificing or dying for?
28. What do you want people to say about you at your funeral?
29. What kind of legacy would you like to leave after you die?
30. What do you think happens after we die?