Ask Questions

[John Dobbs]

Missional Preaching,as is commonly acknowledged, has to move beyond asserting basic truths to helping people see themselves in the story.

I admire so much the people who have the ability to dig fascinating stories out of our culture from so many sources, and then tell it in a spellbinding way. I'm sure we can all improve in that art, but it doesn't come naturally to all of us. 

Another method for moving beyond sermonics and into the heart is through the device of a question. 

When  you ask a question, you invite participation - even if only mentally.

When you ask a question, each person answers it on their own, making applications you could never make.

When you ask a question sometimes people start thinking and never come back to you. That's ok.

When you ask a question, you allow a barrier between you and the audience to be broken. A question that is well timed and followed by a pause, brings a new intimacy to the teaching time. 

And every question is answered. Sometimes the answer is a yawn, sometimes a tear. Sometimes a resolution to do better, and sometimes an answer to the Savior.

Don't give up on stories (if you're like me and find it a struggle) ... but learn to use a question.

Would you share your thoughts about using questions in sermons?

Thanks! John

[STEPHEN L DUNN]

I like questions as a sermonic technique because they actually invite people to tell their story. Few people fill in the blanks of a question with general thoughts. They quickly personalize the answer even if they don't verbalize the answer. The key, I suggest, is to have a single question or a sermon can also lose its focus.

[John Dobbs]

Good point Stephen! Thanks for that thought about having a single question.

[James Nored]

Questions are great in a sermon message. It engages the audience and makes them think!