Thayer Thursday – Questions
Chris Thayer is the Director of Discipleship at Good Shepherd Church in Charlotte, NC where he oversees adult life groups and Biblical education. On Thursdays I share his weekly “Thayer’s Thoughts” for small group leaders, which are based on the previous Sunday’s sermon. Click HERE to watch or listen to the accompanying sermon.
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It’s remarkable how powerful questions are. They expose lies, search for truth, force people to recognize their biases, and are behind the most significant technological and biological breakthroughs throughout human history. We learn about the world with one simple question as a child: “why?”
We are confronted with our own actions as a police officer walks up to our car window and asks: “Do you know how fast you were going?”
Scientists make incredible discoveries simply by asking the question: “what if…?”
And one of the most famous Greek Philosophers of all time got his notoriety from the way he caused people to think and come to conclusions: asking them questions (The Socratic Method).
It’s no surprise, then, that Jesus asked people questions at pivotal points in his interactions with them. For instance, in Matthew chapter 21, the religious leaders of the temple are indignant with Jesus. He had overturned tables and benches and drove out all who were buying and selling there. Then the next day He goes back into the city and starts teaching at the temple. So the religious leaders ask Jesus by who’s authority He was doing all of this.
Rather than answer their question—he exposes their own fear and capitulation by asking them a question: “By who’s authority did John Baptize?” As readers we’re given an ear to their private conversation which shows that they were both scared of the people and unwilling to believe in John’s message.
Much of the strength in questions is derived from the participation of the person being questioned. Rather than being given an answer, they have to arrive at it themselves. They have to say it. Had Jesus instead said that He was acting the way He was at the temple because He was acting on God’s authority given to Him, the religious leaders could have simply called Him a liar. However, in asking them about John the Baptist (who prepared the way for Jesus and pointed to Him!) – Jesus puts them in the position of having to give the answer themselves.
As we think about how we talk with people about the Christian faith, we should never undervalue the power of a simple question. When you ask somebody a question you’re inviting them into a conversation. Your asking them to participate in the search for truth.
Anybody can make dogmatic statements about what they believe. Questions dig deeper than that. Questions, when asked appropriately, simultaneously value others and spur them on to seek the truth.
When I was in high school I had many questions about God, but I was terrified to ask them. Part of the reason I was terrified to ask these questions is because I didn’t know what I would find. I now know that when I asked these questions I didn’t simply acquire answers, but encountered the source of all truth. How can you ask one question to one person to take them closer to Christ—the source of all truth?
Chris Thayer
Categories: Blog, Ministry, New Testament, Thayer Thursday