The Haver Way 4: Questions Create Ownership
Jesus did not ask questions because he lacked answers or needed a clever teaching technique. His questions invited participation, created ownership, honored people, and made room for the Spirit’s work in them.
Key thought
Borrowed convictions rarely survive pressure; owned convictions shape a life.
Listen.
The Haver Way 4: Questions Create OwnershipDave Garda with Bill Allison
From the book
One of the things that first captured our attention was how often Jesus asked questions—hundreds of them. That immediately raises another question. Why? Jesus already knew the answers. He wasn’t gathering information. Conducting surveys. Checking attendance. Or simply filling time. He certainly wasn’t using questions as a technique to make His teaching feel interactive. So why ask? Because people rarely argue with what they discover for themselves. Think about Peter. Jesus could have announced, “I am the Messiah.” Instead He asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s answer became Peter’s conviction. Jesus didn’t simply hand it to him. Peter owned it. The Father revealed it. That matters. Borrowed convictions rarely survive pressure. Owned convictions shape a life. Questions invite participation. Participation creates ownership. Ownership grows into conviction. Conviction changes lives. Questions are not educational tricks. There’s something deeply theological happening every time Jesus asks a question. Respect. Questions communicate respect. Questions make room for another person’s voice. Questions say, “I believe God may already be at work in you.”
The challenge
In your next spiritual conversation, replace one piece of advice with a sincere, non-leading question—and listen without rushing.
Paying Attention to God Together:
The Haver Way is available in Audio, as a Digital Book and Printed Format.
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