Why Asking Better Questions Changes Everything With Dr. J.R. Briggs

What if one of the most important skills for following Jesus is something we rarely study: asking good questions? Michael Easley sits down with J.R. Briggs, author of The Art of Asking Better Questions, to explore how our questions shape our relationships, spiritual maturity, and conversations with others. J.R. explains why thoughtful questions are an expression of hospitality, how “shift responses” can turn conversations back toward ourselves, and why curiosity, wisdom, humility, and courage are essential for asking better questions. The conversation also moves into a deeper question: What do we ask God when life hurts? J.R. shares a framework for moving from “Why did this happen?” toward asking what God may be forming in us through difficulty. Most importantly, Michael and J.R. examine the questions of Jesus. Jesus asked more than 300 questions, often using questions to invite people into deeper reflection rather than simply giving them answers. If you want to become a better listener, deepen your relationships, grow in spiritual maturity, or learn to engage people with greater curiosity and humility, this conversation will give you practical ways to start. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Why We Should Study Jesus’ Questions 01:44 — Meet J.R. Briggs 03:56 — Living With Your Arrows Pointing Out 05:18 — Stop Asking Lazy Questions 06:48 — Shift Responses vs. Support Responses 08:46 — The Quality of Your Questions 09:59 — Asking Better Questions at Church 13:52 — Questions as Hospitality 15:04 — “Tell Me Your Story” 16:08 — The Connection Between Questions and Listening 17:16 — How Questions Engage the Brain 19:16 — The Questions God Asks 21:43 — Asking Better Questions in Pain 22:51 — From “Why?” to “What Is God Forming?” 25:44 — Does Spiritual Maturity Come With Age? 27:03 — What Do You Need to Unlearn? 30:21 — Wisdom Revealed Through Questions 31:20 — Studying the Questions of Jesus 34:01 — Questions That Keep Working After the Conversation 34:41 — The Art of Asking Better Questions KEY TOPICS • Asking better questions • Jesus’ questions • Listening well • Curiosity, wisdom, humility, and courage • Questions and spiritual maturity • Faith in seasons of suffering • Discipleship and community • Hospitality through conversation • Learning, unlearning, and relearning • Loving others by keeping our “arrows pointing out” Links Mentioned: The Art of Asking Better Questions by Dr. J.R. Briggs Dr. Briggs’ website Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.