So how is this goal accomplished?  One way to lead the learners to engage the lesson is by asking good questions to draw them into the discussion.  Asking questions, rather than just sharing information, will help lead class members to discover for themselves what the text is saying and will lead to a more dynamic class.  Asking good questions will not only lead the class members to learn new things, but live what they learn.  There are four types of questions that will aid in the journey of discovery for your class members: Icebreaker/Launching questions, Observation/Informational questions, Interpretation questions, and Application questions.

Icebreaker/Launching Questions

Icebreaker or Launching questions are fun, informal questions for the purpose of getting discussion started.  Once people get started talking, they are far more likely to remain engaged.  These questions will enhance the fellowship of the class and can also reveal a lot about the class members.  Here are some examples of launching questions to get a class talking.

1. Would you rather be a part of the Bonanza family or the Munster family?
2. Would you rather know you only have one year to live or die unexpectedly?
3. If you could have one superhuman power, what would it be?
4. What would you do if you saw a miracle take place?

All of these questions can range from the silly to the serious depending on the direction of the lesson. Youth Specialties has published four books that have great discussion starter questions/situations written for teenagers, but could be used for any age group.

Observation/Informational Questions

These questions are used for the purpose of class members’ drawing out facts from scripture.  Anyone can answer these questions because the answers are found directly in the text.  Observation questions are who, what, when, and where questions that will help better understand the facts of the biblical story.  The class member should be able to look at the text and find the answer simply by reading the text.  What does the text say?

Interpretation Questions

Interpretation questions seek to get at the meaning of the text.  These questions are the “how,” “why,” and the “what does this mean” questions.  In Phil. 2:7 it says that Jesus “emptied himself.”  To say that Jesus emptied himself would be an observation from the text.  To determine what Jesus “emptying himself” means would be an interpretation question.  The interpretation questions lead the class member to move beyond simple observations to grappling with what the text actually means.  This interpretation will eventually lead to more understanding of who Jesus is and what he has done for us, which will in turn affect how we live and apply scripture.

Application Questions

Application questions move the class member beyond gleaning information from the biblical text and beyond what the text actually means to how the text affects how we live.  Jesus said in Matthew 5:13 that we are the salt of the earth.  How does being the salt of the earth change how we live and influence/impact this world?  What things need to happen in our lives to enable us to influence this earth rather than be influenced by it?  These questions tend to be more personal in nature and will cause the class members to do personal reflection and evaluation.  These application questions will tend to either end up in lively discussion or silent personal reflection.  Either response is a good response if it produces change.

Look for ways to liven up discussion in your class by engaging your members in dialogue.  Help them to discover truth and feed themselves rather than feeding them all the time.  The more engaged they become the more dynamic the class will be and the more life change will occur.

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it on the ABSC Evangelism & Church Growth team for more helps for teaching adults and youth in Sunday School.

John Caddy serves as a member of the ABSC Evangelism and Church Growth team in the area of Adult Sunday School and Small Group ministry. He served nine years as Associate Pastor of Students at Wynne Baptist Church and four years as Pastor of Church Growth and Evangelism at the Indian Springs Baptist in Bryant. It is his passion to serve Arkansas churches and their staff. He and his wife Lana, along with their four children, reside in Bryant, Arkansas.