Relationships, communities, societies move in the direction of the questions being asked. Curiosity is what drives people to explore uncharted territory, question the status quo, deepen friendships, and expand understanding!

The vastness and mystery of God cultivate a curious people because there is always more to discover! Think of your human relationships as microcosmic experiences of God - with always more to discover. In your relationships, you commit to learning people and God, in addition to learning alongside people and God.

Questions help process unique life experiences, unlock personal stories, and deepen meaningful relationships. Powerful questions create space for people to practice vulnerability, offer availability, and foster community. Here are seven types of questions to explore:

Closed questions are yes or no questions that characterize introductory conversation and quick feedback.
Open questions create relational space for people to reflect and express their thoughts with better understanding.
Directive questions guide the other person in a specific direction to evaluate a specific solution with discernment and clarification.
Emotions questions acknowledge that feelings and emotions can give the other person insights into their behaviors, motivations, and plans, therefore building better relationships and trust.
Facts questions gather concrete and contextual details through who, what, where, when questions.
Why questions often place people on the defense and risk coming off judgmental or negative, rather than motivating and inspiring.
Permission questions give the other person a choice before asking, eliminating assumptions, breaking down boundaries, creating a safe space for vulnerability.

Reflect on the kinds of questions that have marked your relationships. How will you practice asking powerful questions in your conversations?

7 Types of Powerful Questions