Questions are so critical when teaching any group of students, adults or youth. Questions can help you determine their level of understanding as well as introduce new ideas or concepts. Questions from Teachers who teach in The Savior’s way, however, are usually not answered with a “yes” or “no” or other one word responses. Your questions need to foster introspection and thought. Having at least three key questions to build upon should be the basis of almost any lesson you teach. And don’t forget to give them time to ponder an answer – quiet time during a lesson is ok too. And if no one knows the answer, it becomes a great opportunity to search the scriptures together to learn more. Guiding them to discover the answer rather than just telling it to them will help make the experience more memorable and meaningful.
President Henry B. Eyring had this to say about the use of questions while teaching: “To ask and answer questions is at the heart of all learning and teaching. The Master asked, answered, and sometimes chose not to answer questions in his ministry. … Some questions invite inspiration. Great teachers ask those. That may take just a small change of words, an inflection of the voice. After asking, we might wait for a moment before calling on someone to respond. Even those who do not speak will be thinking of spiritual experiences. That will invite the Holy Ghost.”
For further help in understanding how best to use questions while teaching, use these links:
Improve Quality of Our Teaching – Teach as the Savior Taught – Testimony Building, Not Information Sharing