Today we are talking about asking others intentional questions! Maybe for some of you this comes easier than others. Maybe you can’t stand small talk and the somewhat mundane conversations that seem to always stay surface level and have no depth. Or maybe you find yourself getting uncomfortable when tough questions or topics are brought up. Perhaps you don’t mind others asking these questions but you find it hard to be the one that initiates these conversations?

These questions are meant to help not only your group go deeper and have more meaningful conversations but your individual relationships. These intentional questions might happen in the group setting or they might happen during one on one conversations during times of fellowship or activity outside of group times. While we want conversation to be organic, we also want it to be intentional and not neglect the opportunity to really connect with others on a deeper level. When first getting to know your group the intentional questions start off more broad, but become more specific and challenging as you build deeper relationships.

Asking intentional questions opens up the opportunity for others to share something they might not freely offer unless they were asked.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Some people might never open up or ask for help unless they have someone showing up in their life consistently who will ask them deeper questions and check on how they are doing. This is particularly true of the spiritual and mental battles others face, while everything on the outside appears to be fine, it’s a different story internally.

These intentional questions can help remind us to look for opportunities to speak life and bring encouragement to others. Instead of just hoping this happens naturally or the opportunity comes up, we pursue leading the way into deeper and more meaningful times spent together as believers. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Again, as you grow deeper in your relationships, you will gain greater access to people and be able to ask these questions in a meaningful context. As long as you are not trying to push relationships to a depth you have not reached yet, leaving others feeling as if you are overstepping. These conversations will become significant and life-giving as you go past surface level conversations and grow deeper with others. These questions begin to reveal and help others realise what their “one step forward” in this season is

Example Questions:

What is happening in your life this week?

Who has had a great impact on your life and why?

Can you tell me about how you became saved?

Do you have a favorite bible verse or story from the Bible?

What are some goals you currently have? Career, Marriage, Personal?

How would you describe your relationship with God?

What is something God is speaking to you about currently? What are you currently learning about God?

Are you happy in your marriage?

Do you feel you are being successful as a parent?

If you could do anything right now without the restraint of money or time, what would you do?

Do you see your job as your ministry and mission?

Do you have any passions or gifts right now that you want to use more?

Do you feel like you are walking in the calling God has for your life?