Jump Start # 1187 

Luke 5:22 “But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them,’ Why are you reasoning in your hearts?’”

This week we are going to focus upon the questions of Jesus. Our Lord was a master teacher. He knew exactly how and what to say. He used many different teaching methods. Jesus, who never went to a university, read any research papers, knew how to reach, teach and change millions of lives. He did this without using Zig Zigler, Max Lucado or John Maxwell.

The most common word for Jesus in the New Testament is teacher. People called Him teacher more than they said His name, Jesus. Our Lord even referred to Himself as “teacher.” When He told the disciples to go prepare the Passover, He instructed them, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The TEACHER says…’” The teacher. In John 13:13 He said, “You call me TEACHER and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.’” As a teacher, Jesus accomplished three things:

(1) He made people think and see themselves as God sees them

(2) He challenged them, often putting them on the horns of dilemma

(3) He made it possible for them to change. He painted a picture that they could see and wanted for themselves.

One of the many methods that Jesus used to teach was questions. The Greek expression, ‘to ask’ or ‘inquire’ is used nearly 100 times in the Gospels. Someone counted one hundred questions that Jesus asked. Asking questions is a great way to teach. It allows the teacher to know if the student understands. Asking a question invites interaction. It makes the student find applications to the principles taught. It is a great way to defuse a hostile accusation.

Many of the parables come to a conclusion with a question. The parable of the good Samaritan shows Jesus asking, “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor?” At the end of the parable of the two sons, both asked to do things, but only one obeyed, Jesus asked, “Which of these two did the will of the father?”

We are told that at the age of twelve Jesus was in the temple asking questions (Lk 2:46-49). The questions of Jesus were not simplistic nor impersonal. They had such an impact that Matthew says, “…no one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question” (22:46). Mark says, “They did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him” (9:32).

The use of questions is a phenomenal way of teaching. We can learn from Jesus. Too often, class books, and teachers ask shallow questions that no one answers because the answer is so obvious. In some cases, teachers fear questions. Peter said that we need to be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. Be ready he said. When Philip approached the Ethiopian reading Isaiah in his chariot, he asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Great question.

Our verse today illustrates one of the times Jesus was digging into the way people thought. He asked, ‘Why are you reasoning in your heart?’ Great question. Why are you thinking this way? What do you plan to do about it? How did you get to that conclusion? What are you thinking?

Sometimes we are so quick to give answers, that people do not have to think. Parents, what Jesus asked, is a powerful way to instruct your children. They will come to you with a problem. It’s huge in their world. What are we to do? Before you quickly give out an answer, ask them, “What do you think we ought to do?” Work those minds and hearts. Get them thinking. Get them digging.

The same works well when talking to those who are not Christians. Ask them questions. Get them thinking.  Folks aren’t thinking much these days. People aren’t asking many questions. Preachers are busy answering things that are not on people’s mind.

Teaching with questions takes patience. Sometimes the wrong answer will be given and you must show what the right answer is. Always use the Bible. Show them the answer with the Bible. Sometimes people give shallow answers without thinking things through. Ask them why? Get them to lower the nets and get deeper in their thinking. Sometimes they just repeat what they have always heard. They haven’t thought about the implications of the answer. They have simply repeated what they were told. Questions can remove years and years of wrong thinking. It can change the way they see things.

Don’t be afraid of questions nor be afraid to use questions. Some are afraid to ask for fear that they will get a lecture. That is a terrible atmosphere and relationship to have. Build trust. Be assessable. Be open. When asked something you don’t know, say, “I don’t know.” Better that, than fishing for something that you are not certain about. When that happens, go and find the answer. Do your home work. Then come back with the correct answer. A church that will not allow questions is a church that is in trouble. Don’t be that way.

If you could have a few private moments with Jesus, what would you ask Him? Would your questions be about Him or you? Have you asked that question in a prayer? Does that thought scare you? Does it make you realize that what you thought was so important isn’t if asked to Jesus?

Questions—we will continue our look tomorrow.

Roger