Day 2: Right Questions

We often search for answers to our questions about life. We can do better than that, by drilling down to “right” questions. But how do you and I drill down to the right questions for us?

Peter Drucker, management expert and eventual Christ-follower, wrote: “The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong questions.”

Wrong questions lead us in wrong directions. So if we ask wrong questions, then today’s answers will become tomorrow’s problems.

If you’re a church or ministry leader, you may be asking some of Timothy’s questions such as:

• Should we be known as a church primarily for our preaching, our music, our children’s ministries, our outreach, or what?
• What’s the difference between marketing a church and a superstore? Both seem to major on smiles, handshakes, ads, access, and service. . . .
• What were the early Christians in Acts known for? How many attended the church in Rome? Corinth? Ephesus? What were their budgets? What buildings did they have?

Or, if you’re a Christian who wants to grow personally or disciple others, other questions arise:

• On what should I focus primarily, and/or in what order: Bible study? Prayer? Devotions? Witnessing? Memorization?
• Which discipling method is best: Small groups? Mentoring? Informal conversations?
• How can I know that I am, or am not, doing well in discipling myself and/or others?

How can you and I avoid wrong questions and “solutions”? We can patiently and relentlessly uncover the right questions by questioning our questions.

Examine you assumptions. Ponder what unintended consequences may come. Identify your expectations. Right questions often begin with words like, “what,” “how,” and especially “why.”

Uncovering Right Questions

1. Of the questions above, which – if any – do you consider the right questions?
2. What right questions can you ask that enable your church or other ministry to focus on its primary outcome?
3. What right questions can you ask that help you or a disciple understand the primary purpose of discipling?

Read about Solomon’s “right” question and answer in 1 Kings 3:3–15. Key verse: 1 Kings 3:9.

Prayer: O Lord of true wisdom, please give me an understanding heart and mind to lead and discern right and wrong.