Throughout my years as a young Christian, I’ve learned to my value questions. Questions, in their purest form, are a sign of humility and a desire to learn. Questions lead to answers, and where would we be without answers??
It’s this same appreciation for honest questions that I’d like to instill in my students, because questions are a HUGE part of faith development. So, it’s my challenge, whether with High School or Junior High students, to create an environment and an attitude of questioning.
Ideas for creating a Questioning Environment…
1. Develop simple and truthful messages.
We all panic and use “christian-ese” sometimes. We feel like we need to fill our message time with fluff and seminary words. Students, unlike adults, are not impressed by this. In all actuality, they are turned off by this. Speak from the heart. Talk about what you know. Anecdotes and analogies seem to convey complicated spiritual truths in an easily attainable manner.
2. Include discussion sheets, or follow up cards.
Try not to speak for a llooonnnggg time. A student’s attention span is much small than an adult’s. Providing time to discuss or reflect can deepen the impact of the message greatly and give the students a sense of responsibility with own faith questions. It may also open the door for more questions.
3. Save time for questions.
Maybe find time to sit in on a break out group or hold a question and answer time during your programming. This will validate the importance of their questions and prove to them that their agenda is important to you.
4. Equip them (and their family) to keep digging.**
Start an email list to parents that provide an outline or set of questions so they can remain in the loop. Hopefully this will equip the parents open dialogue with their students and encourage the students to discuss their faith with their family. When the entire family is involved in spiritual growth, big things can happen.
**this is an idea that is still in the development phase.
