Asking Questions

The habit of asking questions is one or the most valuable that one can acquire. A person who is always asking "How did this happen?" or "Why did he say that?" will never find life dull and what is more important, will be continually adding to his store of knowledge. This desire to get to the bottom of things has led to all the inventions of modern science. Probably the first man who invented the wheel saw some stones rolling down a slope, and asked himself some such questions as "Why does that particular stone keep on rolling when these others have stopped?" Such questions are at the back of all our knowledge.

We all know how children are always asking questions, awkward ones sometimes, like the pick-pocket's son who piped up loud and clear "Why did you put your hand into that gentleman's pocket, Father?" Children want to know: Jesus was no exception, for at the age of twelve He was found in the temple asking questions of the teachers. What questions we ask will depend on where our interests lie. Yet even in the things dearest to us, there is danger when we stop asking questions. There is the risk of taking things for granted. Familiarity, it is said, breeds contempt, and this can apply to the words of Scripture, which may become so well known to us that we fail to get the best out of them. It is here that the art of asking questions can be of real value.

Questions are of help to others besides those who ask them. Consider how much of Jesus' teaching we should have lost if His disciples hadn't always been saying "Master, explain this parable to us . . . When will this be? …..Then who can be saved?" The great thing about the disciples was that they were humble. They were not afraid to admit their ignorance, and as a result they became less ignorant. Those who were puzzled at Jesus' miracles and teaching asked "What does this mean?" (Mark. 1. 27) and were far more likely to profit from His ministry than those who had a ready-made explanation—"He has a devil" and were ready out of their wisdom to pass judgment on Him and His works. We have no need to be ashamed or afraid of asking questions, for we do not yet know fully as we are fully known. The time has not yet come when, with the first disciples, we need ask no questions (John. 16. 23).

Not all questions are asked by those who seek knowledge: questions can also be used to pass it on to others. Often we are well aware of certain facts but have not realised what they imply, and then a question may help us. For example, in the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand, the disciples had helped distribute the food, and were astonished at the number it had fed. But the next moment they were worrying because they had forgotten to bring any bread with them, and Jesus used questions to remind them of the miracle He had just performed. "Don't you understand?" He asked. They had failed to realise that what He could do for others, He could do for them, and they had no cause for worrying about so small a matter. And then again, they had seen His miracles, had heard His teaching and yet they had not fully grasped who He was and what He was. So He asked them pointedly, "Who do you say that I am?" It was Peter who came out with the answer, but by answering in their own minds they were all strengthened. It was to Peter also that Jesus, when He was risen put the question "Simon . . . do you love me?" It gave Peter the opportunity humbly to affirm his love: but Jesus' thrice repeated question was followed each time by the reminder that loving Him means serving His flock. Jesus certainly knew that He was dear to Peter, yet He asked the question for Peter's sake.

There were others besides His disciples who asked Jesus questions. "Is it lawful to pay taxes?" they asked and "What is the greatest commandment?" and the story about the wife of the seven brothers in the resurrection, were put in a very different spirit from that of the disciples. The questioners tried to catch this new teacher out, yet though their desire was to discredit Jesus, their questions did elicit answers of real value, and He came successfully through their examination, so that they asked Him no more questions. In a way their conduct was very proper. Jesus set Himself up as a teacher, and before accepting Him they were justified in trying His worth with teasing problems. So with us; if we ever take it upon ourselves to examine a preacher or his doctrine, we should do so humbly: but there is nothing wrong with making the test.

It is in studying the Bible that the gift of asking questions is especially valuable. The one who before a Bible study reads through the passage to be considered, and comes prepared to ask about points he or she cannot understand, does as much to make the study profitable as those who 'know all the answers'. For a study is something in which all should share and often the simplest points open up a whole field of discussion. On the other hand, the leaders in a group might do well on occasion not to expound a passage at length, but to imitate their Master and ask such simple questions as will gently draw their brethren to a fuller understanding.

But it is not always easy to ask the right questions. There is a limit to our knowledge, and to some questions we cannot know the answers. Yet many questions can often be answered by reference to other passages of Scriptures or to commentaries, or simply by reference to what is said in the next verse or the next chapter. The Bible was not written in a vacuum, it was written by and for believers in a particular time and place. Neither is it a collection of texts, for much of it is connected argument or narrative. Knowledge of customs, of history, of botany even, will help us first to understand what was written before we start looking for a lesson for ourselves.

It can be helpful both for public and for private study to pose questions methodically concerning any passage. First one might consider who wrote it and to whom and what was the particular need that it met. Next it is often profitable to read through the passage as a whole, noting the divisions of thought, how it falls into paragraphs. Verse by verse study is good in its place but it is probably better to pay attention to detail only after such questions as "What is the writer's message?" and "How does this thought lead on to the next?", or "What inspired this remark, or this parable?" have been considered. Then is the time to pick through the passage, getting the meaning of difficult words and verses. Concordance references have two values, firstly in leading to other scriptures where the same topic occurs, and secondly because they help in the understanding of particular words. Finally, when the meaning and context of a scripture is grasped, one begins to wonder "Is there a lesson here for me or for our group?" or "What is the reason for this exhortation? Do we really need to follow this course?" or "What place did this event have in God's purposes?" or "Surely in another scripture it says exactly the opposite?" These are but a few of the questions that one can ask. Of course, this is far from being the only method of study. Yet questions, whether asked in a desire for enlightenment or judiciously pointed to bring out a particular thought, can be of real help in bringing a passage to life.

Questions are the sign of a lively mind and of mental watchfulness. But it is not enough for our minds to be awake, our hearts too must be open and our consciences alive. At times we may be sleepy or lazy in our attitude to life and the study of the Bible. This should not be so and asking questions is one way in which we may provoke one another to good works. Above all, through prayer we can draw upon God's spiritual storehouse: and if Bible study does not come easily, or if any man lacks wisdom, "let him ask God for it, who gives with open hand to all men without upbraiding; and it will be given him."