Questions that guide the hart
By Georg Lindhoud (missionary worker)
Which is more important: the question or the answer? Breathing in or breathing out? Of course, one cannot exist without the other. Yet asking good questions is an important tool in Biblical teaching. A good question is not just a key or an open door opener to the mind, but also, and perhaps more importantly, a guide to the heart.
Guides to the heart - the Bible is full of them. And why should we not make use of them? That is how the idea arose to focus on one Biblical question – one guide to the heart – each Friday afternoon. And that has been a wonderful thing to do. Let me share two examples from recent weeks.
First question
The Lord Jesus asks His disciples the question, “Will ye also go away?” Peter responds with a question of his own, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.”
By asking these questions during a Bible class, you and your listeners naturally arrive at the motives of the heart. Why are we here? What does our heart long for? Or rather: Who does our heart long for? People here recognize these questions. You can follow Jesus for bread (a food package) or to witness a miracle (just as many here in South Africa long to see ‘miracles’). But who truly hungers and thirsts for the words of eternal life?
You hope that such people are here as well! Sometimes we get a response after a Bible class. No grand stories - just small clouds on the horizon. “Today I heard exactly what is in my heart.” Or: “I prayed for an answer this week, and I received it this afternoon.” That gives courage. There are those who hunger for instruction, for answers, for the words of Life.
Second question
And so, a week later, I guided the group toward a new question. Easter had just passed. Together with those attending the Bible class we stood, as it were, by the tomb in the Garden. “Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?” it sounded. A question to a mourning and searching soul.
Mourning and searching souls - these are the ones the Lord seeks out through His Word and Spirit, calling them by name as the Good Shepherd. And the sheep know His voice and follow Him. So there is also hope for those attending the Bible classes who are still mourning and searching, even though they do not yet see it themselves. But blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
