Listen | Connect | HelpSample

Longing to Be Known

Listen. Connect. Help. Three words that you use countless times every day. By themselves, they are powerful words with individual meanings. But when used together they become a guiding principle for interacting with others. They are a way to make your life count. This study will look at each word for two days. We begin with "listen."

Everyone wants to be known. We love sharing our stories. But what kind of listener are you? As explained in the following video, asking good questions is a great way to start.

When it comes to asking questions, Jesus is an excellent example to follow. The record of Jesus' words in the Gospel shows that He asked around 300 questions of people He encountered. Some were very direct, like asking a sick man if he wants to get well (John 5:6). Others were more subtle, like when He asked whose image is on a coin (Mark 12:16). Following His example, we need to listen to people in a way that helps us get to know them. To do this, we must ask questions like Jesus did. You must peel back the layers to reveal a person's heart and provide a pathway that will allow you to better connect and help.

Apply

• Why do some people have a hard time asking questions in a conversation?
• What question would you like someone to ask you?