Question the question: Some new/old expert advice

I remember reading a story a few years back about a time when the great West Indian cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers (perhaps the second greatest cricketer of all time) gave a one-off coaching session to a junior cricket team in Sydney. Afterwards, a journalist asked one of the lucky young boys what he had learned from the great Mr Sobers.

“Not much,” came the casual reply! The story is more a critique of the young boy than of Mr Sobers.

Most of us really appreciate the insights and advice of experts—particularly if the person is an expert in an area in which we have an interest. To that end, I decided about a year ago to ask three experts—one in Australia, one in England and one in the US—to give me their recommendations on what were the ‘cutting edge’ books on the topic of evangelism.

Of the various books recommended, two featured twice. John Chapman’s Know and Tell the Gospel, which I knew well, and Randy Newman’s Questioning Evangelism, which I’d never heard of. Since my English and American experts were recommending Newman’s book, I made a point of reading it closely. 

Amongst many stimulating ideas in the book, one of Newman’s chief recommendations is that we should consider responding to questions with questions in evangelistic encounters. This is somewhat counterintuitive for someone like myself. If I am in an evangelistic discussion and someone asks me a question, my immediate response is to supply an answer. If the question is about the gospel, I can usually offer clarification. If the question is of an apologetic nature, I can usually give a response. And, after all, questions want answers, don’t they?

Well, the problem with answering questions is that they can often simply close down the discussion. But if we respond to a question by bouncing back a question to the original asker, we can:

• often work out what they really want to know
• possibly arouse their interest
• get them to assess their own position
• perhaps facilitate an extended discussion.

For example, on pages 84–87 of his book, Newman set out some scenarios. Imagine someone says: “Why are Christians so intolerant as to say that Christianity is the only way to God?” Newman then suggests various questioning responses along the lines of:

• “What’s so bad about intolerance?”
• “Why do you think Jesus said such a narrow-minded thing?”
• “Well, I think it’s a voice of humility in an age of arrogance.” (Okay, that’s not a question, but it’s as good as one!)

He then sketches out how the conversation for each might unfold. That really got me thinking!

Now, we may not all be as sharp or experienced as Randy Newman, but one simple response to almost any question we may be asked and, which might lead to a prolonged productive discussion (rather than close the discussion down), is: “That is a very good question. Do you mind if I ask you why you are asking it?” This may then get the questioner to explain why they are concerned about the issue, perhaps clarify what they mean, potentially create a discussion, and help us to respond more wisely.

I was talking about Newman’s ideas to a group from church, and the following week one of the men informed me he had tried it out. It had, he told me, led to a productive conversation!

Is this just some trendy new approach? Well, actually, as I thought about it, this is what Jesus regularly did!

• Expert in the law: Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
  Jesus: What is written in the Law? How do you read it? (Luke 10:25–26)
• Rich ruler: Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
  Jesus: Why do you call me good? (Luke 18:18–19)
• Jewish leaders: Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.
  Jesus: I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? (Luke 20:2–4)

It seems like this new expert advice is, in fact, old expert advice! Questioning the question is something we could all benefit from by adding it to our repertoire.