Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10.5)

Disciplines
Conversation
If we are ever to recover a more consistent witness for the Lord Jesus, our generation of believers needs to rediscover the art of conversation. We need to learn how to initiate, sustain, enjoy, and guide conversations with others, because it is in conversations – Jesus with Andrew and John, Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and so on – that we are most likely to encounter an open door for sharing the Good News of Jesus.

So we need all the help we can get in learning to become better and more consistent conversationalists, even if that help comes from beyond the pale of faith.

In her weekly review, Brain Pickings, critic Maria Popova reviews Krista Tippett’s Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living.

Ms. Tippett has carved a niche for herself by interviewing luminaries from the sciences and religion in an effort to discover true virtue, faith, and hope. According to Ms. Popova, her success lies in her skill as an asker of questions. Ms. Popova quotes Ms. Tippett: “If I’ve learned nothing else, I’ve learned this: a question is a powerful thing, a mighty use of words. Questions elicit answers in their likeness. Answers mirror the questions they rise, or fall, to meet. So while a simple question can be precisely what’s needed to drive to the heart of the matter, it’s hard to meet a simplistic question with anything but a simplistic answer.”

Learning to ask good questions, so that we promote good conversations, is something we can all do. If we’re really interested in people, and want to get to know and understand them, we won’t ask questions that put them on the spot or on the defensive. Ms. Tippett explains, “It’s hard to transcend a combative question. But it’s hard to resist a generous question. We all have it in us to formulate questions that invite honesty, dignity, and revelation. There is something redemptive and life-giving about asking better questions.”

Asking questions merely for the sake of asking questions is trite and boring. In asking questions we should want to learn – about others, what they think and believe, how they see the world, what we can gain from them in the way of insight and understanding.

Ms. Tippett uses questions in her interviews to discover the roots, meaning, and practice of love. She explains, “Love is something we only master in moments.” Brief moments of conversation, salted with “better questions”, can be powerful moments of loving our neighbors. While Ms. Tippett’s definition of love does not comport fully with a Biblical teaching – especially with respect to married love – her insight as to its human importance, and her approach to seeking and practicing it by virtue-seeking questions is excellent advice for all believers.

Love is kindness, Ms. Tippett explains, and we can agree. And one kindness we can all learn to extend to others is the willingness to be curious and to listen, and to ask the kind of questions that take others seriously and invite them to join us in the adventure of discovering the mystery and art of living, especially as this can be known in Jesus.

For reflection
1.  Make a list of some questions you might like someone to ask you. Then, look for someone to ask one or two of those questions with today.

2.  Why do you think Christians today have become so reticent about sharing their faith?

3.  Do you agree that, if we could become better conversationalists, and learn to ask better questions, we might be more consistent and effective at sharing our faith? Explain.

Next steps: Download the free study, Seasoned with Graceby clicking here. Work through it on your own, then find a friend to go through it with you.

We depend on the Lord for the needs of The Fellowship of Ailbe. This means we come to Him daily, asking for His help in giving us wisdom to know His will, strength and skill to do it, and the resources we require for each day. As for this last, we understand that God intends to support our ministry from within the ranks of those who are served by it (Ps. 20.1-3; Rom. 15.26, 27; Gal. 6.6).

If this ministry is important to you, we ask you please prayerfully to consider becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe. It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.