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ADULT MINISTRY
Is Anyone Out There?
by Mark McElroy
Silence is more musical than any song.
Christina Rossetti—nineteenth century English poet
While regarded as an influential and important poet, I’m not sure if Christina Rossetti ever taught an adult Sunday school class. Perhaps there’s nothing more frustrating or intimidating than leading an adult Bible study and you ask what you think is a great question and you hear nothing but silence. It is likely as uncomfortable for the learners as it is for you the teacher. The blank stares are enough to make us as teachers want to run and hide. How can we ask better questions?
What are the different kinds of questions?
First, there are information-based questions. These are the questions that have a known and undeniable correct answer. They require no judgment on behalf of the learner. They ask the learner to recall information. Who wrote the Book of Acts? How many letters did Paul write? Where in the Bible to we learn about Abraham and Sarah? Information based questions allow the learner to hold the answer at arm’s length. The response to information-based questions requires the learner to make no judgments. They are non-threatening and can be confirmed by a trusted source. They have a role in Bible study teaching. It is often helpful to ask such questions to rekindle learner’s familiarity with the Bible. Learners who are unfamiliar with whatever information is being called for can learn valuable details. Information based questions have a place in Bible study teaching, but they shouldn’t be the only kind of question. The goal of Bible study is to enrich the learners’ faith by discerning how the truth of Scripture can be applied to their daily living. Bible based information is important but learners’ need help in seeing how the sacred text is speaking to them and their lives, in their own life struggles.
Second, there are perspective-based questions. These are the questions that help describe a particular way of hearing the Bible text. Often the answer is embedded in the question. Why was Paul frustrated with the church at Ephesus? How can the Psalms be a healing word for those struggling with life’s difficulties? These questions help learners consider the general truth of Scripture for all people. They, like information based questions, are usually not very threatening but can require a bit more interpretation.
Third, there are reflection-based questions. Reflection based questions ask the learner to consider his or her own life experience when wrestling with the meaning of a Bible text. The answer to these questions can’t be held at arms length. They are more threatening because they ask learners to see how the Scripture intersect not with life in general, but their life in particular. When was a Psalm a word of healing for you? After reading Paul’s words in 1 Timothy regarding the problems at Ephesus, what might Paul say to our church? When have you ever offered excuses to God like Moses did when God called him out? These are usually the questions that create the most silence for a variety of reasons. The silence that follows reflection-based questions could signal that the learners aren’t necessarily eager to be that transparent in that setting or with that group. The silence could mean that the learners have never considered the text in that way and need time to think about it. Sometimes, learners simply don’t like being asked such things. I once received a letter from a Sunday school teacher who simply said her class didn’t like uncomfortable questions and requested that we not include those in our lesson plans. Sunday school can be a great place to wrestle with uncomfortable questions. But, a lesson plan shouldn’t be based solely on such gut wrenching questions.
How do I prepare good questions for my Sunday school lesson?
First, plan to use a variety of questions. Try to incorporate all three kinds. Information based questions can help set the setting or context of the Scripture to be studied. What book of the Bible tells about the beginnings of the Church? Perspective based questions can help point to the theme of your lesson. How was the early church empowered at Pentecost? Reflection based questions can help go deeper. How has the Holy Spirit empowered you?
Second, remember that people learn in different ways. Some folks in your class may likely never respond to a question regardless of how insightful it is. They may prefer to talk about it with a friend or family member on the drive home from church or days later even. Verbal learners often must speak out for that’s how God created them. They don’t often know what they think until they say it. It is often helpful to remember that not everybody learns in the same manner that you do. A question that rocked your world may not rock everyone’s.
Third, try your questions out on a family member or trusted friend before you teach. If your spouse or friend looks at you with a blank stare, that’s a good indication that someone in your class will likely have the same kind of response.
Fourth, be prepared with a handful of what you think are good questions for each lesson. Write them down or underline them in your Teaching Guide. Your Teaching Guide has lots of questions of each of the three varieties. Find the ones that you think will work well with your group and see what works.
So, what do I do when the question simply doesn’t work?
• Don’t be completely afraid of the silence. It is okay. Tough questions require some soul searching. It often doesn’t happen quickly.
• Ask the group why they are quiet. It could be that the question simply needs to be reworded. Or, simply name the silence and follow up by saying something like “That’s a tough question isn’t it. Why do you think it is difficult?”
• Answer the question yourself. Showing your willingness to be honest and reflective of your own life can help make others feel comfortable doing likewise.
When you can hear the crickets chirping at what seems a great question, don’t loose heart. It happens to all of us. Most of all don’t let it discourage you or rob you of the joy of teaching Bible study.
Mark McElroy is senior editor with Smyth & Helwys Publishing. He has written, edited, and taught adult Sunday school for over a decade and is still learning how to best do so.
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