Youth Ministry Hints
Creating Better Discussion Questions
Jul
Great discussions don’t start with great answers—they start with great questions. Here’s how to craft questions that actually get middle and high schoolers talking:
1. Start Open-Ended
Avoid yes/no questions like the plague. Try: “What stood out to you?” or “How would you have responded?”
2. Make It Personal
Ask, “Have you ever felt like that?” or “What would you do in that situation?” When it’s about them, they engage.
3. Dig Past the Surface
Use follow-ups like: “Why do you think that?” or “Can you say more about that?” to draw out deeper thinking.
4. Mix It Up
Use “Would you rather” scenarios, case studies, or quick role-play questions to add energy and variety.
5. Create a Safe Space
The best questions fall flat if students don’t feel safe. Set the tone that all questions are welcome—and no answer gets mocked.
PRO TIP: Better questions lead to better conversations—which lead to better transformation.
