J. R. Briggs | The Power of Questions for the Spiritual Life

“Good questions can change the trajectory of peoples’ futures.”—J.R. Briggs

People are asking deep and difficult questions in their lives and there is an inclination in our culture to fixate on easy or quick-fix answers. What does it look like to sit with questions, ask better questions, and how can a focus on questions help us in our walk with Christ?

Episode 51 of Spirituality for Ordinary people features an interview with J.R. Briggs, author, pastor, and founder of Kairos Partnerships. J.R. brings thoughtful reflection, study, wisdom, and encouragement in the area of question asking.

Key Learning

We often seek guidance and direction from God just wanting “the answer.” But God’s invitation to us is full of delight, wonder, and the unknown.

Curiosity and wonder can be central to journeying with Jesus. We engage in wonder with a mindset of questions rather than only wanting answers.

We study the parables of Jesus, the miracles of Jesus, but rarely do we study Jesus’ questions. The gospels record Jesus as asking 325 questions. People asked him 183 questions and he only answered 5-8 of them directly.

Things to Think About

What big question are you living with right now?

What question is God asking you right now?

Spiritual Practices Discussed in this Episode

J.R. uses the Moravian Daily Text  followed by a simple prayer. He journals every day and records five things he is grateful for. He focuses on simple things, giving examples like warmer weather, the taste of the coffee, etc. He also practices Sabbath and finds it helps to guardrail against burnout, reminding him that God doesn’t need him.