Asking Beautiful Questions: Evangelism Through Childlike Curiosity

Jun 14, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: A Child’s Curiosity in a Hot Tub Moment

A father and daughter soak in warm water when she asks, “Do they shoot cows?” Her question isn’t random—it’s a four-year-old’s hunger to understand her world. God designed humans to seek, wonder, and voice the mysteries stirring in their hearts. Yet by middle school, most stop asking aloud, burying curiosity under self-doubt. What if faith begins not with having answers, but with reclaiming the courage to ask? Jesus said the kingdom belongs to those who come like children—unafraid to voice their “why?” [38:45]

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4, NIV)

Reflection: What simple question about God or life have you been hesitant to voice? How might asking it—even in childlike words—draw you closer to Jesus?

Day 2: When Self-Consciousness Drowns Out Curiosity

By age twelve, imaginary audiences mock our questions before they leave our lips. We trade wonder for social safety, silencing the “silly” thoughts that once flowed freely. Yet God still hears every unspoken “why” rattling in our minds—the 4,000 internal words per minute questioning our worth, purpose, and place. What if the path back to holy curiosity starts by dismantling the lie that our questions annoy God? [45:01]

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

Reflection: Where has fear of judgment (from others or yourself) stifled your ability to ask spiritual questions? How might Psalm 139:23-4 reframe this?

Day 3: God’s First Response: “Where Are You?”

After Eden’s disaster, God doesn’t lead with condemnation but a question. He asks Adam, Eve, Hagar, and Moses not because He lacks answers, but to create space for raw honesty. Divine questions are invitations: “Let’s walk through this together.” When Job demands answers, God responds with deeper mysteries about stars and sea creatures—not to shame, but to expand Job’s vision of divine majesty. [56:12]

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid… But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9, NIV)

Reflection: When has God’s gentle question (“Where are you?”) exposed your hiding places? How might His questions heal more than your answers could?

Day 4: Jesus Asks Before He Answers

The Messiah could’ve led with bullet points. Instead, 40% of His recorded words are questions. “Who do you say I am?” isn’t a theology quiz—it’s a relational doorway. Even post-resurrection, He asks Mary, “Why are you crying?” not because He’s confused, but because her tears matter. Our culture demands tweet-length answers, but Christ models patient inquiry that dignifies the asker. [01:01:43]

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, ‘Who do people say I am?’… Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’” (Mark 8:27-29, NIV)

Reflection: How might asking someone “Who is Jesus to you?” open deeper conversations than reciting doctrinal facts?

Day 5: Burning Answers vs. Beautiful Questions

We stockpile “right responses” for hot-button issues, ready to defend truth. Yet Jesus often answered questions with better questions, prioritizing connection over conquest. When a teen asked Coffee Oasis baristas, “Do you think I’m a sinner because I’m gay?”, the most Christlike reply wasn’t a thesis on sexuality—but “What does ‘sinner’ mean to you?” Truth matters, but questions build bridges truth alone can’t. [01:12:37]

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6, NIV)

Reflection: Where are you tempted to lead with “burning answers” instead of listening? How could Philippians 2:3-4 shape your next spiritual conversation?

Sermon Summary

Evangelism gets un-weird when it trades burning answers for beautiful questions. Childlike curiosity sets the tone, because four-year-olds are world champs at asking why and how, and their questions invite beautiful answers that take their wonder seriously. Self-consciousness, schooling for answers, and a noisy inner monologue choke that curiosity, turning living questions into “zero questions” like “Why am I so stupid?” that only deepen shame. The way back is the way of a child, because Jesus says the kingdom belongs to those who humble themselves enough to ask, not to those who posture as if they already know.

God’s own pattern makes space for this. The Bible is not an FAQ sheet. Most of it comes as story and poetry that pull people into a relationship, not a data dump. Genesis 3 shows God asking, “Where are you?” and “What is this you have done?” not for information, but to invite Adam and Eve closer. Job floods heaven with questions, only to meet a God who answers with more and deeper questions that expand his horizon until he can finally say, “Now I see.” C. S. Lewis puts it as coming face to face “till we have faces.” In the end, God himself stands as the answer.

Jesus carries this pattern to its peak. He asks far more questions than he gives direct answers, not because he is unsure, but because he is drawing people within reach. “Who do you say that I am?” “Why are you crying?” “Do you love me?” Still, Jesus gives clarity when needed. “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” then follows with a probing question, “Have I been with you so long and you still do not know me?” That question exposes how answers can be right while hearts remain unknown.

The call to share good news takes this same shape. Questions that reduce people to a yes or no shut the door. Beautiful questions open it. Instead of rushing to win the point on hot-button issues, love leads with questions that dignify a person’s story and draw them into God’s larger story about creation, sin, and redemption in Christ. Practically, that means studying real people, crafting three specific questions that fit their lives, and inviting them into a conversation where Jesus is not a debate topic, but the living answer who saves, not condemns.

Key Takeaways

1. Evangelism begins with beautiful questions Beautiful questions open relational space where the gospel can be heard as good news rather than a verdict. They slow down the rush to win and make room for a person’s story. That space is where trust grows and Jesus can be seen, not just stated. [36:59]
2. Childlike humility keeps curiosity alive Humility risks looking small so truth can become clear. Childlikeness does not trade conviction for confusion; it trades pretense for honesty. That posture keeps the heart soft enough to learn and the mouth free enough to ask. [48:47]
3. God draws close by questioning God’s first move after the fall is not a lecture but “Where are you?” His questions are invitations to step out of hiding and into relationship. Answering them forms the soul far more deeply than memorizing replies. [55:05]
4. Jesus prioritizes questions over answers Jesus’ questions are not evasions but instruments of love that locate the heart. He grants clarity, then presses closer so that knowledge becomes knowing him. That pattern turns discipleship into a conversation, not a checklist. [62:43]
5. Ask specific, loving questions this week Study real people and prepare three questions that fit their lives. Trade “What’s up?” for “Last time you sounded worn out, how are you holding up?” The Spirit often walks through doors that careful questions quietly open. [69:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:34] - Not sharing the good news is weird
[36:59] - Evangelism week three: ask questions
[37:24] - Whidbey hot tub and curiosity
[39:18] - How children form the world with questions
[40:50] - The “beautiful question” and the who
[45:01] - How self-consciousness silences curiosity
[46:38] - Zero questions and inner noise
[48:47] - Become like children to enter
[55:05] - God’s questions invite closeness
[57:10] - Job, more questions than answers
[61:17] - Jesus’ questions up close
[63:47] - Way, truth, life, and knowing him
[65:26] - From burning answers to beautiful questions
[69:46] - Practicing specific, loving questions
[74:50] - Communion: trust over answers

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Genesis 3:9-13 (ESV)
But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?”

John 14:6-9 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?”

Matthew 18:3-4 (ESV)
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Observation Questions

In Genesis 3:9-13, what do God’s questions (“Where are you?” and “What is this you have done?”) reveal about His purpose in asking them, even though He already knew the answers?
How does Jesus’ question to Philip in John 14:9 (“Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me?”) contrast with His earlier statement in John 14:6 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”)?
What examples from the sermon illustrate how “beautiful questions” create space for trust and relationship rather than debate? [36:59]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God use questions (like in Genesis 3) to address brokenness instead of immediately offering solutions or corrections?
Jesus asks far more questions than He gives direct answers. How do His questions in John 14:6-9 deepen Philip’s understanding of who Jesus is, rather than just providing information?
The sermon mentions that “zero questions” (e.g., “Why am I so stupid?”) shut down curiosity. How do these internal questions hinder humility and relational openness, as described in Matthew 18:3-4? [48:29]

Application Questions

Identify one “zero question” you’ve asked yourself recently (e.g., “Why do I always fail?”). How could you reframe it as a “beautiful question” that invites God or others into your struggle?
Think of someone in your life who is far from God. What are three specific, loving questions you could ask them this week to learn their story (e.g., “You mentioned feeling overwhelmed last time we talked—how are you holding up now?”)? [01:09:46]
Reflect on a time you rushed to give an answer instead of listening. How could approaching that conversation with childlike curiosity have changed the outcome?
Jesus’ question, “Have I been with you so long and you still do not know me?” challenges familiarity with Him. What practical step could you take this week to move from knowing about Jesus to knowing Him in relationship?
When faced with a cultural “hot-button” issue, how can you shift from debating “right vs. wrong” to asking questions that honor the person’s dignity and point them toward God’s story of redemption? [01:05:26]

Sermon Clips

31s

#GodsInvitingQuestions

“You know? What does god do? Well, he doesn't come down and give them a fiery point. He begins asking them questions. Isn't that fascinating? What is the first thing God says? Where are you? Does God not know where they are? is well aware of where they are. And then to Adam again, who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat? He knows the answer to that.”

39s

#AskBiggerQuestions

“There's an invitation to that. Why is it that after the ages of two and three that we just want yes or no answers, we keep, as Christians, oftentimes trying to jam in answers as yes or no when God's giving us a fuller explanation? The fuller explanation is this, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We are all broken because of the fall, and the great story of redemption is God wants to restore us in relationship with himself. That's a good story. That's a beautiful answer that comes from a more beautiful question, which is, who am I? How was I made? How am I meant to live?”

35s

#RelationshipOverChecklist

“Jesus comes to save it, not to drive us further into sin, rescue us from sin, to remind us what it means to be created in his image, not because we don't have an opinion about all the things. Tell you what, if we were to talk about all the things that are sin, we'd be here all day long. But that's a that's a bad question. What's a sin? Let's just get a whiteboard out. Right? What's a what's a better thing to talk about? Who a holy god is and why he's invited us back into relationship with himself. And that's the story that the Bible is telling.”

30s

#ReflectBeforeYouAnswer

“What does it mean though for me to interact with that question? The question that isn't beautiful because it leads just to separation. How do I actually respond to that? Maybe a more beautiful question is, well, if I told you yes, what would you do with that? What what does a sin mean to you? Can you can you describe for me what it what it means to be a sinner? I can tell you that because tell you what, all of us have sinned. I have lived my life sinning as well.”

38s

#GodIsTheAnswer

“What what is going on here is Ariuel finally comes before the gods and recognizes, I thought I had questions that I was posing to you because I felt answered in my own sense of justice. But when I stand before God, I recognize that I am the one only full of questions. I don't have a solidness from which to ask these questions. Job would say this, I had heard of you by hearing with my ears, but now I see you. And in this book, RUL says this, now we know, Lord, that you utter no answer because you yourself are the answer.”

38s

#AskGodBeAvailable

“Research them, come up with questions. That's step three along the way of not being weird, learning how to share the best news ever, which is the news that Jesus does love us. But his love is is showing us where we do sin, but inviting us to be restored again to relationship with himself. That's the best story of all time. With that, I invite you to pray with me. And maybe God's already put some people on your mind that you wanna be praying for, do that. But in in these moments, I wanna offer you two questions that you can consider. first is, is there something that you need to ask God?”

39s

#QuestionTheQuestions

“That's what's happening in our psyche. That's what's happening in our brains. And so while this is happening, this what we could probably call a civil war in our own heads is happening, educators and parents often trying to coax out questions again will say a very unhelpful thing, which is, thing, which is, well, guess what? There's no questions. And they're telling that to someone whose questions might primarily sound something like this. Why am I so stupid? What's wrong with me? Why do I screw everything up?”

29s

#StartWithTheirName

“we can be challenged oftentimes by the bible in this way, That the Bible, while it leans in and says what is true and what's wrong, it doesn't deliver it in the way we oftentimes want it to. The Bible says with clarity, what is real? Who am I? What's man? What's woman? The Bible talks about those things, but 43% of the bible is narrative and story. It's a little more complex when you're reading it in a story.”

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Asking Beautiful Questions: Evangelism Through Childlike Curiosity

Devotional

Day 1: A Child’s Curiosity in a Hot Tub Moment

Day 2: When Self-Consciousness Drowns Out Curiosity

Day 3: God’s First Response: “Where Are You?”

Day 4: Jesus Asks Before He Answers

Day 5: Burning Answers vs. Beautiful Questions

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Asking Beautiful Questions: Evangelism Through Childlike Curiosity

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