Questions Matter
Questions have been on my mind recently. Let me clarify: it’s not that I have questions that have been plaguing my mind or anything…rather, it’s the idea and importance of questions that have been on my mind.
Questions matter.
I mean, take today’s bible plan reading of Matthew 21. The entire chapter is practically propelled forward by people asking questions about Jesus or directly to Jesus, or by Jesus posing questions back. When you read the Gospels, what you see is that a lot of Jesus’ ministry is propelled forward by questions. He loved to ask questions, and people seemed to love to ask him questions. A lot of times, like in today’s reading, he even answers questions with questions of his own. Read for yourself and find out…seriously.
Questions matter.
In the men’s bible study, we’re going through Romans – and it is a book filled with questions. Paul (the author) asks himself questions that set up the argument he’s making, and if you’ve ever read Romans (as we’re seeing!), WE have A LOT of questions for Paul in return. It’s not easy to understand. And what I love about the men’s bible study is that some of the guys ask great questions. They genuinely want to learn more, want to understand better, want to see how it works out in our lives today. And questions are the vehicle for going deeper in all of that.
Questions matter.
Sometimes people apologize for their questions, as if they feel ashamed that they’re asking “basic” questions. Sometime people don’t ask questions because they think they shouldn’t have questions at this point in their lives. Different people said those exact things to me this week, in fact. I want to tell you what I’ve told them before:
If you have that question, there’s a really great chance someone else has it too – and they’re too afraid to ask it.
Questions matter.
Questions get to the heart of the issues. Questions help everyone understand better. Questions help teachers teach and learners learn. Questions open up the hood so that we can understand how the engine works. Questions get to the “basic” that everyone pretends they get already – or just gloss over! – so that we can have a stronger foundation. Questions bring up answers that cause more questions, which cause more depths of knowledge, wisdom, and faith. Questions help clarify what should clarified. Questions save misunderstandings, conflicts, and relationships.
Questions matter.
We should never be afraid to ask questions – of our faith, of scripture, of our theology – of me – but especially of God.
This week, someone told me that they are going through a hard time and are now questioning God, but “know that they shouldn’t.”
To that, I say “nonsense, God can take it”.
The Psalms are filled with people questioning God in the midst of their suffering (read Psalms 10, 13, or 22 to name a few). Heck, even Jesus famously questions God in the midst of his (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – which is taken from a Psalm)!
God is big enough for our questions. God can handle them.
And God wants to.
Because questions lead us deeper into the truth, and that’s what God wants for us.
Questions matter.
Please don’t ever feel nervous to ask questions, or be ashamed of your questions, or hesitate to ask them. Without them, we’ll never learn, go deeper, or grow!