How leaders can grow in the skill of asking the heart questions

Good leaders are skilled in asking questions that challenge perceptions, reveals attitudes and tests hearts. Lead in truth and clarity.

Scripture

Daniel 7:13-14

13  “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. 14  Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.”

Matthew 16:13-17

13  Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14  And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven…”

Observation and reflection questions

Context of Matthew 16: Caesarea Philippi was located at the base of Mt Hermon, next to a natural spring that gushed from the mountain – a place of pagan worship and rituals.  In Jesus’ day this city was renowned for animistic pagan worship at the natural spring, Greek worship of Pan, Roman emperor worship of Caesar and even veneration of Philip himself.  

The Greek god Pan – half-man, half-goat, playing the flute. Several images and inscriptions of this god was found in Philippi Caesarea.

 

Current excavation site of Philippi Caesarea with artist rendition of how it probably looked in the days of Jesus. Note the various pagan temples – especially the temple of Pan at the mouth of the cave – the source of ancient the Jordan River.

1. It is generally accepted that Jesus’ many references to the “Son of Man” (as in Matthew 16:13) is who Daniel wrote of in his vision (Daniel 7:13-14). With this in mind, what was Jesus asking in his first question?
2. Picture Jesus walking in this town with religious tourists coming to pay homage to their gods. How do you think Jesus’s two questions were perceived in this environment?
3. Look at the two questions which Jesus asked his disciples. Compare the two questions in these ways:
   1. Does it ask a general or personal opinion?
   2. Does it cause general reflection or introspection?
   3. Does it discern fact or conviction?
   4. How does the first questions influence the context of the second question?

Personal reflection and application:

Jesus was a master at asking questions that challenged perceptions, revealed attitudes and tested hearts.

1. Imagine telling Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son to a group of men in prison. Write down three progressive questions that will reveal and challenge their perception and relationship with God the Father.

Prayer

Thank the God for the gift and presence of the Holy Spirit, our Teacher.  Ask the Spirit to teach you to discern your own beliefs, attitudes and motives – and also to lead others in truth and love.

Note: Images sourced from Wikipedia – public domain.

How leaders can grow in teaching grace

Leaders lead people into the discovery of the truth – about God, the world, their purpose and themselves.  It is therefore critical for leaders to wait on the Lord for direction and instruction.

Look at this short inspirational video by Andre Kruger on growing in the prophetic anointing. For more on his teachings and to obtain a copy of his book Increasing Heaven’s Flow in 40 days go to www.heavensflow.org

Scripture

Matthew 16:13-21

13  Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14  And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17  And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  18  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  19  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Observations

Context: Caesarea Philippi was located at the base of Mt Hermon, next to a natural spring that gushed from the mountain – a place of pagan worship and rituals.  In the city was a statue with temple of the Greek god Pan (see excavation site below).  The city was rebuilt and renamed in 3BC by Philip II, son of Herod the Great, renamed the city Caesarea Philippi in honour of Caesar Augustus (14AD) and later he pressed his own coins with his face on in 30AD – considered an act of idolatry by the Jews.   Thus, in Jesus’ day this city was renowned for animistic pagan worship at the natural spring, Greek worship of Pan, Roman emperor worship of Caesar and even veneration of Philip himself.   

Current excavation site of Philippi Caesarea with artist rendition of how it probably looked in the days of Jesus. Note the various pagan temples – especially the temple of Pan at the mouth of the cave – the source of ancient the Jordan River.

The Greek god Pan – half-man, half-goat, playing the flute. Several images and inscriptions of this god was found in Philippi Caesarea.

 

1. Considering the background knowledge of the city mentioned above, what depth does it add to Jesus posing the question of his identity in this specific city?
2. What did Jesus do that lead to Peter’s revelation of Jesus’ identity?
3. Unpack Peter’s confession of Jesus (verse 16) – what do the parts of the confession mean?
4. What did Jesus say about the source of Peter’s revelation?
5. Jesus said that “on this rock I will build my church”. What does that “rock” refer to? [hint: ‘Peter’ means little stone or small rock, so it does not refer to Peter himself, but it is a clever play of words!]
6. Directly after Peter’s confession of Jesus, Jesus said things to Peter (verse 18-19). What did Jesus do with these sayings? What can we learn from that? [hint: identity]

Personal reflection and application:

While walking with his disciples Jesus was an anointed and skillful teacher who knew that true revelation and conviction is deep and personal revelation that comes from the Father, and therefore requires reflection and discovery – and the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  For that reason Jesus skillfully used questions, parables, illustrations and his surroundings in his teachings – relying and creating space for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and convict hearts.

1. In which ways have you experienced the revelation and conviction of the Holy Spirit (a) when you listened to a message, (b) when you did Bible Study alone, and (c) when you taught someone else. Write down what you discovered.
2. How do you tend to teach or explain things? Are you prone to state and explain everything you know, or are you prone to ask leading questions or use illustrations?
3. In the study How do leaders grow in apostolic grace the application involved the preparation of a 10 minutes teaching on the Kingdom of God. Review your teaching in the light of today’s devotional study.  How will you adjust your teaching? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth!

Payer

Earnestly desire and ask the Lord for help to grow in His anointing to teach and lead people in truth and personal conviction.  Ask for the grace of the teacher!

Note: Images sourced from Wikipedia – public domain.