Better Questions, Better Teaching

Kevin Thomas

Every Bible preacher and teacher wants to be relevant. But many do not know what questions to ask during the prayer and Bible study time. Following are a list of questions I often use when preparing to preach or teach God’s word. 
 

I. What does it mean or what do I need to explain? 

            Ask yourself this question during your preparation and study time, when you think your congregation might say, “What are you talking about?”
            When main point is:
                        Abstract, new or difficult concepts (such as doctrine of justification)
            Preacher’s Assignment: Explain.
 

II. Do they see the connection or the cause-effect relationship? 

            Ask yourself this question during your preparation and study time, when you think your congregation might say, “I don’t see it. What’s the connection?”
            When main point is:
                        Root causes
            Preacher’s Assignment: Convince.
 

III. Do they believe the your statement is contrary to life’s experience? 

            “Ask yourself this question during your preparation and study time, when you think your congregation might say, “Yes that’s true, but I am the exception; it doesn’t apply to me. or I believe you, but isn’t that the exception?)”
            When main point is:
                        Propositions/Biblical Statement
            Preacher’s Assignment: Convince.
 

IV. Do they believe something else more than your biblical statements? 

            Ask yourself this question during your preparation and study time, when you think your congregation might say, “Pastor, can you show me how I say one thing and do another due to competing values?”
            When main point is:
                        Display Choices
            Preacher’s Assignment: Convince.
 

V. So what difference does it make? What does it mean to me? 

            Ask yourself this question during your preparation and study time, when you think your congregation might say, “True Pastor, but what does it look like in daily life?”
            When main point is:
                        Applications (commands)
            Preacher’s Assignment: Apply.

 

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