Are you involved in leading a small group? You know how frustrating it can be to try and get the group to open up and talk about things that really matter. This is especially true if you find yourself working with teenagers. One "key" that can unlock this mystery is learning the art of asking great questions. Small groups fail not because they are not discussing valid or important material, but because of how the leader introduces the material.
Here are 10 reminders of how to ask amazing questions.
The Ten C’s of Quality Questions
1. Concise – Good questions cove only one idea at a time.
2. Complete – Make sure participants have all the information they need to answer a question.
3. Clear – Keep it understandable. Be sure that questions are not over the heads of group members.
4. Connected – Don’t ask questions that will lead your group chasing “rabbit trails.”
5. Conversational – The aim is not just to ask questions and have the group answer them, it is to encourage conversation and sharing among everyone.
6. Contestable – The best questions do not have one right answer. They are open ended, which forces people to think.
7. Challenging – Ask questions that make people stretch their minds and crack open their lives. Silence after a question may mean that people are really thinking about their answer.
8. Creative – Get group members to look at an issue from a side they may not have thought of before. Example: Tell a story containing an unresolved issue and ask participants to solve it. The only bad question is the one you use all the time.
9. Controversial – Make a controversial statement and see how the group responds. Just remember to use this method sparingly and with discernment.
10. Considerate - Try not to embarrass or get too personal too soon. Particularly in new groups, questions that dig too deep may keep participants from coming next week.
