Ten Questions to Ask Your Christian Brothers and Sisters

Today I came across some great questions that help to generate spiritual and mutually encouraging discussions among Christians. Here they are:

1. How is your ministry going?
2. Where have you seen the Lord at work lately?
3. What has the Lord been teaching you?
4. Have you had any witnessing opportunities lately?
5. Have you had any obvious answers to prayer?
6. What have you been reading?
7. What have you been reading in the Bible?
8. How can I pray for you?
9. How are you growing spiritually in your life right now?
10. What are you passionate about right now?

These are great questions to be asking. Yet there's some tragic irony as to how I came by this list. I got it off the website of a pastoral colleague who recently confessed to having an adulterous relationship and has been removed from ministry. This young man is married with two little children. He was part of a close-knit fellowship of pastors (there are ten of us - now nine - in this particular network), who engage in a conference call once a month for the purpose of edification. In light of this tragic incident, our topic for today was on guarding our hearts (Prov. 4:23).

Yes, let us guard our hearts "with all diligence," as the above Scripture verse reminds us. Moreover, let us do everything we can to "encourage one another daily" (Heb. 3:13) through Christ-centered conversations which should often include heart-searching questions.

Speaking of which, is it well with your soul?