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Faithful Recovery's avatar

As a mom, I was often floored by the questions my kids asked me, especially when they were little. As a student, I asked questions all the time. Not always out loud, but often enough to develop good research skills. As a teacher, I encouraged my students to ask questions. But, just as you pointed out, somewhere along the way I began asking fewer and fewer.

I truly love how you explain the importance of questions. I was not aware how often Jesus asked questions. But now that I am I cannot help but see it! He didn’t ask because He didn’t already know the answer. He asked so that we might grow in faith. I love how you put that.

Brandon Robinson's avatar

Thank you so much! Kids are question machines! Mine particularly loved to ask them before bedtime so they could prolong going to sleep.

I thought of how Jesus said Unless we become like little children we will never enter the kingdom. More questions asked may mean we are becoming like children again,

Gracey's avatar

I enjoyed this post a lot. The life of every student of Scripture, every seeker of truth, revolves around questions. It reminds me of a line from the song "Could it Be" by Michael Card, which says

"Could it be that questions tell us more than answers ever do?"

Brandon Robinson's avatar

Thank you! Love that

GEORGE W. ENGELHARD's avatar

HOLY TRINITY, YOU SIT ON YOUR THRONE IN THE HOLY OF HOLIES IN MY HEART

AT MY BAPTISM, HOLY TRINITY

Twelve times, in your heart, pray these acknowledgements to the Fullness of the HOLY TRINITY in your heart.

At my baptism, HOLY TRINITY, YOU established YOUR THRONE ROOM, THE HOLY OF HOLIES, in my heart. HOLY TRINITY, YOU sit on YOUR THRONE in the HOLY OF HOLIES in my heart.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Three times through, pray this series of acknowledgements and inquiries to the Fullness of the HOLY TRINITY in the HOLY OF HOLIES in your heart.

HOLY TRINITY, YOU sit on YOUR throne in the HOLY OF HOLIES in my heart. What does that mean to YOU?

HOLY TRINITY, YOU sit on YOUR throne in the HOLY OF HOLIES in my heart. What does that mean to me?

HOLY TRINITY, YOU sit on YOUR throne in the HOLY OF HOLIES in my heart. What does that mean to YOUR creation?

HOLY TRINITY, YOU sit on YOUR throne in the HOLY OF HOLIES in my heart. What does that mean to humanity, to every human being, to every person I encounter?

HOLY SPIRIT, WITH YOUR GIFTS OF GRACE, YOU ARE GRACING MY HEART

AT MY CHISMATION, HOLY SPIRIT

Twelve times, pray these acknowledgements to the HOLY SPIRIT in the HOLY OF HOLIES in your heart.

At my chrismation, HOLY SPIRIT, with YOUR GIFTS OF GRACE, YOU were given to my heart. HOLY SPIRIT, with YOUR GIFTS OF GRACE, YOU ARE GRACING my heart.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Three times through, pray this series of acknowledgements and inquiries to the HOLY SPIRIT in the HOLY OF HOLIES in your heart.

HOLY SPIRIT, with YOUR GIFTS OF GRACE, YOU ARE GRACING my heart. What does that mean to YOU?

HOLY SPIRIT, with YOUR GIFTS OF GRACE, YOU ARE GRACING my heart. What does that mean to me?

HOLY SPIRIT, in YOUR GIFTS OF GRACE, YOU ARE GRACING my heart. What does that mean to YOUR creation?

HOLY SPIRIT, with YOUR GIFTS OF GRACE, YOU ARE GRACING my heart. What does that mean to humanity, to every human being, to every person I encounter?

LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU SUBSTANTIALLY ABIDE IN MY HEART

THROUGH MY CONSUMPTION OF YOUR BODY AND BLOOD, LORD JESUS CHRIST

Twelve times, pray this acknowledgement to the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the HOLY OF HOLIES in your heart.

Through my consumption of YOUR BODY AND BLOOD, LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU substantially abide in my heart.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Three times through, pray this series of acknowledgements and inquiries to the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the HOLY OF HOLIES in your heart.

LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU substantially abide in my heart. What does that mean to YOU?

LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU substantially abide in my heart. What does that mean to me?

LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU substantially abide in my heart. What does that mean to YOUR creation?

LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU substantially abide in my heart. What does that mean to humanity, to every human being, to every person I encounter?

HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU ARE EVERYWHERE PRESENT, INCLUDING MY HEART

HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU FILL ALL THINGS, INCLUDING MY HEART

Twelve times, pray this acknowledgement to your HEAVENLY FATHER in all things, including your heart.

HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU are everywhere present, and YOU fill all things, including my heart.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Three times through, pray this series of acknowledgements and inquiries to your HEAVENLY FATHER in all things, including your heart.

HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU fill all things, including in my heart. What does that mean to YOU?

HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU fill all things, including in my heart. What does that mean to me?

HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU fill all things, including in my heart. What does that mean to YOUR creation?

HEAVENLY FATHER, YOU fill all things, including in my heart. What does that mean to humanity, to every human being, to every person I encounter?

GEORGE W. ENGELHARD's avatar

From my book THE SOVEREIGNTY PRAYERS. Amazon books

So young's avatar

Did you mean a cassette tape?

Yes, Jesus asked the best questions. Questions that made us stop, and think. Thanks for the post.

Brandon Robinson's avatar

Yes, I did.

Thank you!

Christy's avatar

The whole post was enlightening and useful, but I sure enjoyed your comment:

"a tape was basically a podcast that only worked if you had a pencil nearby."

Brandon Robinson's avatar

My tapes were always a mess!

Bob Bednar's avatar

As a classroom teacher, questions create the lesson to be learned. As a therapist, questions begin the process of discovery and lead to a deeper identity. As a disciple maker, questions lead to understanding. As an apprentice of Jesus, questions create curiosity to learn.

Janice's avatar

So well written. I have a lot of thoughts and questions swirling around in my mind after reading and rereading this.

I've often told young homeschooling moms that the most important thing they can do is to teach their children to love learning and to ask questions. How well that transfers to our walk with the Lord. We are never to old to ask questions that He has the answers to.

Alecia Pehr Schmuhl's avatar

Very thought provoking.

Grutza Ken's avatar

I remember many years ago reading a book entitled; “The Teaching Techniques of Jesus” where the author explained this concept.

I was in a library and saw a sign on the librarians desk: “The Only Stupid Question is the One not Asked” which completely opened up education for me from that moment on.

Excellent article.

Jordan's avatar

It is so true, Brandon. Questions are central to the faith.

Sometimes we have to be OK with having uncomfortable questions, because there is great revelation on the other side.