Ask Questions… Then Ask More Questions

I was sitting on the wrong plane.  I had lost my aisle seat and was packed in like a sardine in a middle seat.  I was getting ready to fly to the wrong country.  Because of an ice storm in Chicago, I was routed to London when I was supposed to be flying to Ireland. It was after midnight and to be honest, I was tired and a bit cranky.  A young woman sat next to me and she was energetic, extroverted, and ready for a conversation.  

I was ready to go to sleep!

I said a quick prayer, asking the Lord to give me kindness and grace.  Then, I started asking questions.  I asked her (Gretchen) if she was heading home or leaving home.  She let me know she was headed to Berlin where she lived and ran an organization for youth.  I asked what she had come to the States for, and she joyfully let me know that she had come for a really powerful and helpful conference.  When I asked what it was about, she told me it was an atheist conference.  

It turns out Gretchen was a communist, an atheist, and a humanist.  She ran an organization to keep young people from becoming Christians.  I was fascinated!  I asked her questions for about an hour and a half.  I learned about her views on communism, atheism, and humanism.  I also asked about her view of Christians and she did not hold back.  It was not pretty.  I had never met anyone quite like her!

Eventually Gretchen realized that she hadn’t asked anything about me.  So, she said, “I have been dominating our conversation, what do you do for work?”  I said, “Well, you know those hate-filled, awful Christians you were telling me about?”  “Yes, she said.”  “I’m not only one of them, I am a Christian pastor.”  

“No, you are not!”  “Yes, I am!”  “You are not!” “I really am!”

Finally, Gretchen asked this revealing question, “If you are a Christian, why didn’t you tell me I am going to hell and stop talking with me?”  I realized, that is what she expected.

I told her, “Gretchen, you are one of the most fascinating people I have ever met.” I said, “When you were telling me about how you believe every human being is valuable and worthwhile, do you know who you sounded like?  She had no idea.  I said, “You sounded a lot like Jesus!”  I asked if she had ever read the words of Jesus.  She had not!  I offered to get my Bible out of my bag and read some of the words of Jesus that sounded like she and Jesus agreed on some things.  With tenderness in her eyes Gretchen said, “You would do that for me?”  

After a study of the words of Jesus, I asked Gretchen, “You are really seeking truth, aren’t you?”  She said, “I am!” I offered to pray that she would find the truth.  She was delighted, let me pray, and thanked me.

What am I trying to say?  When it comes to having spiritual conversations, begin with questions.  Then ask more questions.  Ask lots of questions and listen well.  Jesus asked more questions than He answered.  We need to learn from our Savior.  Don’t start with a religious speech or pre-packaged presentation.  Don’t go into an encounter with a non-believer looking to debate or prove them wrong.  Begin with questions and keep asking more questions.  Listen with an open heart.  As you learn their story and grow to care for them, God will open doors for you to share your story and the story of Jesus.