ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS!

 

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

 

ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS!

 

Matt 16:13-17

13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

KJV

 

           As a Bible teacher, I have often seen my audience smile and nod their approval of my passionate delivery of what I thought was a well researched and well delivered lesson or sermon. It is personally gratifying to see this response but afterward there is a lingering doubt as to whether anything significant has been taught. This is why teachers give pop quizzes and final exams. The truly important things must be transferred to the minds of the listeners.

 

           The question often guides the answer. If all you want is affirmation, then you don’t really have to teach anything. You only have to thrill with the delivery of already known information. You must be creative and even entertaining in your use of nouns and verbs. The listeners depart for lunch with a warm and fuzzy feeling regarding a familiar truth comforted but not challenged.

 

           Thought provoking questions are essential to academia. Soul searching questions are essential to spiritual growth. Both are difficult and neither is appreciated but without them there is no progress.

 

           Observe your culture. Who is Jesus? Search your own heart. Who is Jesus? The answers make all the difference in society and in the soul.

 

Isa 30:9-10

9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:

10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: KJV

 

Dear Lord, let me enjoy such an intimacy with you that I can give an appropriate answer to the important questions of life. AMEN