To say that I love questions is an understatement of gargantuan proportions. I’m not too sure that I don’t live apart from the questions. I do know that I have said, countless times, that I never met a question I didn’t like. Granted, I didn’t always love the answer that I discovered from the question – but that’s a different discussion. I also remember times that I was asked if I had any questions (typically when I hadn’t already asked some). My immediate reply was always that if I hadn’t asked any questions then I didn’t know enough to have any questions… yet.
To me, questions are way of looking at the world, of discovering. ‘What if’ has always been a good mate. And ‘I’ve been thinking’ or ‘I wonder if…’ aren’t far behind. Why? Partially because a question essentially is value-less. Though admittedly, questions can be used to help others begin looking at (fill in the blank) differently. It can be a teaching tool that directs without protolyzing. Unfortunately, it can also be used to force others in one’s own particular preferences.
How do you view questions? As an interference? As only rabbit trails? We all have experienced the reply to our – may I ask a question? Especially if we qualify our question with a disclaimer of stupid. The answer we receive is that there is never a dumb question. True…. and not. Depends on the questioner’s motivation. Why are they asking the question – and do not assume their answer. However, never dismiss a question as irrelevant.
It is true that questions can lead to rabbit trails but sometimes those trails can lead to new understandings – just don’t dismiss out of hand. Actually… if we’re interested in communicating, having a clear message. promote understanding and refine all that then questions can be a terrific aid. Sadly, there are people who don’t know how to ask questions – that don’t ‘test’ the teaching, their understanding and this can lead to disastrous results. Have you ever considered that encouraging questions, not just allowing them, can increase and encourage that person and others?
And… if you are wondering if questions are found in scripture – the answer is a resounding – YES. Jesus’ primary way of speaking to large groups of people was to speak in parables. However, He also used it as a teaching tool for His disciples. And when you look at the interactions between Jesus and His disciples – they were always asking Him questions.
Knowing ‘how’ to ask questions should be a primary goal of every teacher regardless of setting. Questions are a way to discover. And discovering is always an adventure.
