The Art of Asking Questions

“You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.” Naguib Mahfouz

by Christie Ballmann

How can we maximize our potential for learning and leadership? One way is to cultivate the art of asking questions. Some of the brightest, most inspiring men and women I know, past and present, are also the most inquisitive. Good questions show mental sharpness, as well as a determined interest in other people. Answers to good questions are windows to the heart and soul.

 

The Starting Place

Asking questions of ourselves is the place lifelong learning begins! Honest self-evaluation puts a spotlight on personal responsibility (which is essential for learning). I’ll be the first to admit, however, that it’s sometimes easier to turn up the music, fill in the calendar, make phone calls, or compose an email, rather than face myself. It’s one of the hardest sorts of conversations to have; I am the asker, answerer, and listener all in one.

Following the example of leaders like George Whitefield or Jonathan Edwards, good questions to daily ask ourselves might deal specifically with study habits, family relationships, money handling, or how we spend our time: Am I getting in the habit of wasting time in a particular area of my life? How should I respond? What is my responsibility in this relationship? How can I do this next job in a way that reflects my love for God?

Questions like these stir us to think deeply about our purpose in the light of eternity. The Life Purpose Planning workbook used by CollegePlus! students is a tremendous resource for thought-provoking questions that expand the heart and mind.

 

Active Intake

Another way you implement lifelong learning is by persistently asking questions of what you read and hear. Deliberate learners take personal ownership of their education, rather than placing responsibility on the book or teacher. They go through their books continually asking:

What evidence is there to support this claim?
What difference does this make in my life?
How might God being using this event, law, person, or scientific fact to reveal Himself?
What should I as a Christian do with this information?

By determinedly asking questions like these and personalizing your books (putting question marks next to statements that lack evidence or writing one-sentence responses next to concepts or events that stand out) you’re guaranteed to take your learning to an entirely new level. By making notes about the text, subjects you previously considered boring are transform ed into positive challenges with long term information retention.

The poet John Milton said, “The end of learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love Him and to imitate Him.” Working towards a college degree is so much bigger than passing tests and earning a piece of paper for accreditation. The larger vision is redeeming everything we read and hear in such a way that we know God more intimately and can communicate for Him more clearly at the end than at the beginning.

 

Wells of Deep Water

Asking questions of ourselves and the things we read and hear creates a backdrop for sparkling conversation with people we meet. It turns ordinary, stuffy conversations into poignant exchanges that inspire and enlighten.

We read in Proverbs, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Prov. 20:5, KJV). Most often we participate in shallow conversations because we simply don’t know what to ask. Here’s a drill. If you could have lunch with your state representative, what 5 questions would you ask? What about a missionary from Brazil? An orthopedic surgeon you sit next to on an airplane?

 

Be Prepared to Ask the Right Questions

I’ve found that asking great questions is a whole lot easier if you’re prepared. Years back, collecting questions became one of my personal hobbies; it’s kind of like collecting stamps, baseballs cards, or old Dr. Pepper bottles, except they are free, lightweight, and extremely practical. There are hundreds of fabulous questions you can glean by reading and listening—why not start your own list?

I’d like to hear your story, how did you get into your field?
What people have personally influenced you to success?
What are the most important lessons you have learned along the way?
If you could write a book on any subject this year, what would it be?

Questions like these cultivate humility. They expand our horizons. They save us from wasted resources and misplaced energy. In addition, asking communicates genuine interest and creates relational bridges. Probably most significantly, questions allow us opportunities to be mentored by men and women of faith and experience.

Asking questions is not an end in itself, it’s a tool. Like any skill, it has to be deliberately practiced before it becomes natural, but the long term impact is transforming!

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