Wouldn't it be easier if every question had a simple "yes" or "no?" Or if "True" and "False" could tell the whole story? There are some absolute truths. There are some absolutely false answers, wrong answers, and lies.
There are bad questions, too. These kinds of questions show up on pop quizzes, health questionnaires, and in courtrooms during witness examinations. They can be trick questions. At times they are leading questions, and there is no door to open for important details to tell the rest of the story.
My friend, Don, has had me thinking about "better questions." He has started a trend by asking a question of the day. I have always been a fan of open-ended questions. Raising boys, the answer to "How was your day at school?" was almost always going to be "Fine." if you were not creative with your questions. Don has asked some great ones, and we look forward to it daily. He has used it as a powerful culture and climate impacting tool.
The right questions can open doors, provide insight, and help us communicate more effectively. Don has been intentional in asking questions in ways that can be answered in fun ways or thoughtful ways. Hearing the answers around me has been a true delight.
People are talking about Don's questions in the kitchen, in the halls, and at the door. He wrote about his experiences and insights on his Substack, and he perfectly captured the power of better questions. He has caused me to be more intentional to not comment on the weather, unless it is positive.
My sweet friend Cleve, did not enjoy "The Wagon Wheel" ice breaker game. We did it with every new class of students at Peoria Alternative High School. It was a new open-ended question... with a new person... every move of the wheel. Cleve was one of the best humans I have ever walked with daily, and it made me sad he did not enjoy it. The other team members knew he disliked it too, but sweet Cleve saw the value and did it for the kids... and for me if you hear the other team members tell the story. The students found things in common at their first meeting, and learned some unique things too.
Open-ended questions are the ones you cannot answer with a yes, no, true, or false.
There are many important and powerful questions in the Bible, but there is one that changes everything. It has implications for our souls that echo into eternity.
"Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”" -Matthew 16:15
Better questions take practice and effort, but the rewards are bountiful.
Today, I am grateful for better questions.
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