Top Ten Principles, Great Questions
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  1. Ask first about what the Scripture passage says.

    This is our "Book" section of a study -- we are asking 
    the "WHAT?"

    Prompt learners to listen for a specific "what" as you read a passage

    Ask learners to look for contrasts in a passage

    Ask, "What did Paul say was the source of his ...?

  2. Ask learners about what they think a passage means

    This is the "Look" or the "SO WHAT" section of a study

    "When Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life" what do 
    you think He was trying to convey?

    "What concept was Jesus trying to communicate in the 
    parable ...?"

    "What did the prophet mean when he said ...?"

  3. Ask one question at a time

    This keeps learners' thoughts centered

    They will not be confused

  4. Address everyone with your question

    This does not put any one person on the spot

    The questions are not meant to be a test of Bible knowledge

  5. Provide feedback to responses

    Thank you

    That's interesting

    That fits with what someone said earlier

    Ok, let's write that down

    I hadn't thought of that

  6. Follow some questions with questions

    Why do you think the prophet meant that?

    Could you elaborate, expand on your answer?

    What would you/Jesus/Paul .. have done in that situation?

    Can you think of other examples in scripture?

  7. Challenge learners to answer their own questions

    Good question ...  what do you think?

    Class, how would you answer this?

    Who can help us out on this one?

  8. Accept (almost) any answer

    This continues to encourage responses

    No one is put down for a "wrong" answer

    Variety in responses stimulates thinking in broader applications, interpretations

    Really off the wall answers might be set aside politely (see previous slide)

  9. Ask open ended questions, not dead end questions

Open Ended

Dead End

Why did Jesus say

How can we apply

What is the sequence of events

What is the meaning of

Did Jesus say ...?

Should we tithe?

Which verse tells us to ...?

Who said ...?

 

  1. Wait for answers.

    Don't be afraid of silence

    Answers to good questions require a bit of thought

    It takes about 10 seconds to ...

    Think of an answer or comment

    Formulate the sentence

    Do one last check, "Is this a dumb response ?"

    Get your hand in the air

 

 

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