| In a teenage Bible class one day, was a girl who | | | | 3. Questions are Good Feedback |
| had never been to class before. I had just begun | | | | The questions of children may be feedback that is |
| the lesson when she started asking questions that | | | | valuable for the greatest teachers. Feedback |
| seemed to disrupt the message, but captured the | | | | shows the areas that are of interest to the |
| attention of the entire class. Within a month that | | | | student. These questions should be kept in mind |
| girl had died and was in eternity. How glad I was | | | | or recorded for more thought and prayer, to be |
| that she found the answers to her questions and | | | | taught in future lessons. Though a child's question |
| that she found THE answer in Jesus Christ! | | | | may sound trivial, in reality he may be revealing |
| 1. Questions are a Great Opportunity for Learning | | | | deeper thoughts of his heart, the background and |
| Although difficult to believe, questions are healthy. | | | | troubles in his life, or even pleading for the |
| But it's terribly sad when children don't ask | | | | attention he desires! Matthew 20:22 is a question |
| questions. I hope your students continue to ask | | | | to which the Lord answered, "ye know not what |
| questions. Children stop asking if they are ignored | | | | ye ask!" and went on to deepen their thinking and |
| you don't show care toward the asker. The | | | | teach about himself more fully. May we imitate |
| person asking is more important than the | | | | the teaching of Jesus Christ. |
| question. The question may only be a call for help. | | | | 4. Questions Used as a Teaching Tool |
| A student's questions are just as great as an | | | | The Lord Jesus Christ asked questions in a way |
| adult's. Their problems are many in a world out of | | | | to INTEREST, ILLUMINATE and INSTRUCT his |
| order. Don't assume you know why they want to | | | | hearers. So the teacher can use well-thought-out |
| ask the question. Give them time, and answer as | | | | questions to his advantage. Notice however, that |
| well as you can. Showing understanding will | | | | the Lord did not use this tool every time he |
| strengthen the relationship with the child and | | | | taught. We are not in need of "cookie cutter" |
| increase your effectiveness. Sad to say, some | | | | methods but in search of the best way to reach |
| leave Sunday School for other places because | | | | the audience. |
| their questions were not addressed well. | | | | 5. Questions are a Good way to Review |
| 2. Questions and their Answers | | | | Review questions are a good check on the |
| "They found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst | | | | teacher and the teaching. The answers or |
| of the doctors, both hearing them and asking | | | | absence of them will help correct points in |
| them questions." Luke 2:46. Are we giving "stones | | | | previously misunderstood teaching. Some review |
| in answer to a request for "bread?" or "serpents" | | | | is necessary each week, but a special quiz-time |
| for "fish?" Matthew 7:9-10. The lack of an | | | | should be set aside periodically in the class. |
| understanding leader has turned many away to | | | | Possibly this could take the form of a competition, |
| fall back on the standards of their peers or upon | | | | or "Question Bee", or game to review verses and |
| the habits of ungodly or unfaithful parents. | | | | previous lessons. This has several advantages: A. |
| Questions are seen in scripture as asking help, | | | | To find out how much the child retains; B. To |
| Hosea 4:12, Judges 20:18, asking for information, | | | | encourage participation; and C. To learn if some |
| Luke 18:36, and to inquire, Luke 18:18. All need | | | | have thought more deeply than others. |
| answers. | | | | |