Teaching In The Savior's Way -- Questions

Questions

Discovering the types of questions asked by Jesus as an example of questions we should ask when teaching was an enlightening experience for me. As I went through all the questions asked by the Savior in the Old and New Testament, and the Book of Mormon, it became apparent that some class members may take offense if asked some of these questions. For example if someone asked me a question and, like Christ, I answered with a question like--How is it that ye do not understand? or Have ye not read the scriptures?--wouldn't some be offended? This is the norm of His questions and not the exception. 

This is the third in a series of articles on Teaching in the Savior's way, and one that was precipitated by the outline (really another manual disguised as an outline because it is used as such) on Teaching in the Savior's way. The heading "Ask Inspired Questions" led me to write every question I could find asked by Jesus. I did not include duplicate questions found in the New Testament and 3rd Nephi, opting to use the ones found in the New Testament. 

I don't know what "Ask Inspired Questions" means but I do know now what kinds of questions Jesus asked. I did discover that each of these questions was designed to cause the person(s) being asked to look at themselves and no one else. I have italicized His 'Have ye not...? questions.

How many of these questions would you ask? How many can you answer?

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? (Matt. 5:13)

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? (5:46)

Is not life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (6:25)

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? (6:26)

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (6:27)

And why take ye thought for raiment? (6:28)

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little of faith? (6:30)

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considereth not the beam that is thine own eye? (7:3-4)

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if ye ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (7:9-11)

Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (7:16)

Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? (8:26)

Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, arise, and walk? (9:4-5)

Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with thee? (9:15)

Believe ye that I am able to do this? (9:28)

If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? (10:25)

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? (10:29)

Concerning John, What went ye out to see? (11:7-9)

He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. But whereunto shall I liken this generation? (11:15-16)

Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were within him, but only for the priests? (12:3-4)

Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? (12:5) But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. (12:6)

What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold of it, and lift it out? (12:11)

How much then is a man better than a sheep? (12:12)

And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? (12:26-27)

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? (12:29)

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? (12:34)

Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? (12:48)

Have ye understood all these things? (13:51)

O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (14:31)

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? (15:3)

Are ye also yet without understanding? (15:16)

O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (16:3)

O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves...? (16:8)

Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves...neither the seven loaves...? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? (16:9-11) (leaven of Pharisees and Sadducees is the doctrine they taught)

Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (16:13) But whom say ye that I am? (16:15)

O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? (17:17)

What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? (17:25)

How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? (18:12)

Have ye not read...? (19:4-5)

Why callest thou me good? (19:17) (there is none good but one, that is, God)

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? (20:15)

Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? (20:22)

What will ye that I shall do unto you? (20:32)

Have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? (21:16)

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? (21:25)

Did ye never read in the scriptures...? (21:42)

Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (22:29)

Have ye not read that which was spoken unto by God...? (22:31)

What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? (22:42)

If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? (22:43-45)

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the alter that sanctifieth the gift? (23:19)

See ye not all these things? (24:2)

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? (24:45)

What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (26:40)

Why reason ye these things in your hearts? (Mark 2:8)

Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? (2:19)

Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungered, he, and they that were with him? (2:25)

Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? (3:4)

How can Satan cast out Satan? (3:23)

Know ye not this parable (sower)? How then will ye know all parables? (4:13)

Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? (4:21)

Whereunto shall we like the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? (4:30)

Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? (4:40)

Who touched my clothes? (5:30)

Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive...? (7:18)

Why doth this generation seek after a sign? (8:12)

Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? (8:17-18)

How is it that ye do not understand? (8:21)

Whom do men say that I am? But whom say ye that I am? (8:28-29)

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (8:36)

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his own soul? (8:37)

Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? (9:11)

What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? (9:33)

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? (9:50)

What did Moses command you? (when asked 'is it lawful?') (9:3)

What would ye that I should do for you? (10:36)

Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized with? (10:38)

Is it not written...? (11:17)

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? (11:30)

What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? (12:9)

And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? (12:10-11)

Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures neither the power of God? (12:24)

Have ye not read in the book of Moses? (12:26)

How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? (12:35)

Couldest not thou watch one hour? (14:37)

How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49)

What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? (5:22-23)

Have ye not read so much of that what David did...? (6:3-4)

Is it lawful on the sabbath day? to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? (6:11)

Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? (6:39)

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (6:41-42)

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (6:46)

What went ye out in the wilderness for to see? (7:24-26)

Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and to what are they like? (7:31)

Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? (7:42)

Whom say the people that I am? (9:18)

For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (9:25)

O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? (9:41)

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? (10:36)

If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent...a scorpion? (11:11-12)

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (11:13)

Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? (11:40)

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? (12:6)

Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou has provided? (12:20)

Consider the ravens...how much more are ye better than the fowls? and which of you can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? (12:24-26)

I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? (12:49)

Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how it it that ye do not discern this time? (12:56)

Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? (12:57)

Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or these eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (13:2-4)

Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? (13:18-20)

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (15:4;8)

If ye therefore have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? (16:11-12)

Doth he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded him? (17:8-9)

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (18:7)

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? (20:4)

Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? (24:38)

What seek ye? (John 1:38)

Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (3:10)

If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things? (3:12)

How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (5:44)

Doth this offend you? (6:61)

Will ye also go away? (6:67)

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. (8:43)

Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? (8:46)

Dost thou believe on the Son of God? (9:35)

Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? (10:32)

Jesus answered them, is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? (10:34)

Thou blasphemed; because I said, I am the Son of God? (10:36)

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (11:26)

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? (12:38)

Know ye what I have done to you? (13:12)

Do ye inquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and gain, a little while, and ye shall see me? (16:19)

Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? (16:31)

Whom seek ye? (18:4)

Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. (18:21)

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? (18:23)

Lovest thou me? (21:15)

If I will that ye tarry till I come, what is that to thee? (21:22)

The Lord's Questions--Dennis Rasmussen

Where art thou?

Do I not fill heaven and earth?

Whom shall I send?

Fear ye not Me?

Knowest thou the condescension of God?

Wherein have I wearied thee?

Is not life more than meat?

Will ye also go away?

Whom seeketh thou?

Other questions from the Old Testament:

How long halt ye between two opinions? (1 Kings 18:21)

Responding to the Lord's Questions by John S. Tanner

Where art thou?

But whom say ye that I am? (Matt 16:15)

Will ye also go away? (John 6:68)

Lovest thou Me? (John 21:15)

Book of Mormon

Behold, what desirest thou? (1 Nephi 11:2)

Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken? (1 Nephi 11:4)

And after seeing the tree of life the Lord asks again 'What desirest thou?' (1 Nephi 1:10)

I wonder how a class member would react if in response to a question, the teacher asked 'have ye not read the scriptures?' Would that be an inspired question?