Questions That Transform
OPENING PRAYER:
God, thank You for the gift of curiosity and honest questions. Help me come today with an open, teachable heart. Amen.
“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: ‘Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus replied, ‘What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?’ The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘Right!’ Jesus told him. ‘Do this and you will live!’ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied with a story: ‘A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, “Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.” Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?’ Jesus asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’” Luke 10:25-37 (NLT)
REFLECT:
Which do you think is more powerful: having all the right answers, or asking the right questions? Throughout the Gospels, Jesus was asked 183 questions—yet He directly answered only three of them. Instead, He asked 307 questions of His own. It's been said that Jesus didn't hold Q&A sessions. He had Q&Q sessions.
In today's reading, a religious expert asks Jesus a pointed question. But instead of giving a quick answer, Jesus responds with His own: "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" Jesus knew the real issue wasn't the man's question—it was what lay beneath it. Through a series of questions and a powerful story about a Good Samaritan, Jesus led the man to confront his assumptions and see love in a whole new way.
Questions aren't just tools for gathering information—they're gateways to revelation and relationship. When you ask a good question and listen with real attention, you say something powerful: You matter. Your thoughts matter. Your story matters.
Holly Ordway was a professor of English who considered herself "too smart" to ever become a Christian. When she raised objections to her fencing coach, Josh, he didn't argue or preach. He asked genuine, thoughtful questions: "What makes you so certain that material reality is all there is?" These weren't traps. They were invitations. Slowly, brick by brick, the intellectual walls she had built began to crumble.
This week, try it. When you feel the urge to give an answer, pause—and ask a question instead. The goal isn't to win an argument. The goal is to invite a real conversation. People cannot hear the answers to questions they haven't yet asked. Good questions help people discover what they're truly seeking.
APPLY:
PRAY FOR YOUR ONE
- 1. Ask God to give you one thoughtful question you could ask your One this week—one that shows genuine interest in their story and opens the door for deeper conversation.
- Pray for the ability to resist the urge to immediately defend or explain your faith, and instead to ask and listen first.
- . Ask God to help you hear not just the words your One speaks, but the deeper longings beneath them.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will pray and share my life with my One
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, through whom You showed how powerful questions can open hearts. Give me courage to let go of needing all the answers and the patience to truly hear others. When I'm tempted to defend or explain, remind me to ask questions that honor and invite. Make me a better listener. Let me hear not just words, but the longings beneath them. Holy Spirit, guide my conversations. Show me where questions can open doors to faith. In Jesus' name, amen.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Share your prayer request and pray for others.