7 Questions to Start a Spiritual Conversation with Family (2023)

I’ve heard it said more than once that the people hardest to evangelize are your own family.

Maybe we feel awkward because they know us intimately. They have seen our worst, our “anti-witness,” and the ways in which we fall short in our pursuit of holiness.

Maybe our history with family members has too many nuances making it too difficult to navigate. Maybe we’re just used to the same topics and patterns with our family that it feels unnatural to diverge from it. Maybe there is too much baggage between family members to make it feel safe for vulnerable conversation.

There are a lot of dynamics to navigate but it’s also the amazing thing about relational evangelization—there is no agenda. It’s about finding the natural starting point for you and just having a conversation.

Here are some ideas that can help get you started and guide you in deeper conversation:

  1. How’s life going these days? What's keeping you busy?

  2. What’s the best thing going on in your life right now?

  3. What’s been the thing you lean on when life gets hard?

  4. What is one thing you would like to be remembered for?

  5. What role would you say faith plays in your life?

  6. If it turned out that God did exist, and you had an opportunity to ask God any question and get an immediate answer, what would it be?

  7. How would you describe your journey with God up to this point in your life?

Whoever you are speaking to, we want to meet people where they are at. Not all these questions are going to be natural for you or your family member. But you also never know where people are at in life.

It makes me think of the time my wife and I heard Fr. Paul Goo talk about Sherry Weddell’s book on forming disciples, and he spoke about the power of asking spiritual questions. He suggested #5 on our list: How would you describe your journey with God up to this point?

My wife had plans to meet up with a couple of friends that afternoon and decided that in the course of the conversation she would take a chance and ask that question.

What resulted were two very deep and vulnerable conversations. They may have included tears. And discussion of what it would look like to re-engage with the faith of their youth.

While these weren’t family members, the first step was still a leap of faith unsure how someone would respond and how to navigate the relationship.

They also started having deeper conversations like that more often, like the first wading into unfamiliar territory broke the ice. From then on, it was easier to say in the future: “How’re things with your faith life?”

Of course, there are situations where it doesn’t matter how hard you try, it doesn’t come naturally. I’ve been in a position where I needed some help.

For me, Alpha was my way of having this conversation with my two younger brothers.

I asked them to come with me a number of times to Alpha before they eventually said yes. And it was in our time at Alpha that conversation opened up for us on a level we never had before.

In the talk, "Why did Jesus die?", we talked about the topic of forgiveness. We were all so engaged in the discussion that we went to a pizza place next door after the group to continue it.

We were able to open up about difficulties with forgiveness while growing up, things like anger and grudges that played out in family members and in ourselves.

The conversation was such a gift! I would have never known how to organically bring this stuff up with them but it helped facilitate the hard questions.

Do you have a story to share of having a profound conversation about God with a family member? What question opened the door to that spiritual conversation?

Join the conversation

FAQs

What are some good spiritual questions? ›

7 Questions to Start a Spiritual Conversation with Family
  • How's life going these days? ...
  • What's the best thing going on in your life right now?
  • What's been the thing you lean on when life gets hard?
  • What is one thing you would like to be remembered for?
  • What role would you say faith plays in your life?

What are the three great spiritual questions? ›

3 Great Spiritual Questions
  • Who am I?
  • Why am I here?
  • How shall I live?
Nov 29, 2020

What is spirituality in family? ›

Spirituality. Introduction. Spirituality relates to a family's capacity for transcending self-interest, living with a positive purpose, and reverencing life.

What are the 5 powerful questions? ›

5 Powerful Questions Every People Manager Needs to Know and Use
  • What do you think? Not rocket science is it? ...
  • What makes you think this? ...
  • Can you tell me more? ...
  • How can I support you with this? ...
  • What do you think are the next steps?

What are the 5 big questions of life? ›

You've already got answers to the five big questions of life:
  • Where did I come from?
  • Who am I?
  • Why am I here?
  • How should I live?
  • Where am I going?
Nov 8, 2018

What are the 5 religious questions? ›

An examination of those questions will reveal aspects of religious belief systems found all around this planet.
  • Here is a listing of key and basic questions:
  • What is Philosophy of Religion?
  • What is Religion?
  • Do religious experiences prove that there is a god?
  • Do miracles exist? ...
  • Do souls exist?

What are the 3 questions of life? ›

Your Best Life: Tolstoy's Three Questions for Life
  • When is the right time for every action?
  • Who are the right people to listen to?
  • What is the most important thing to do? [5]

What 3 questions did Jesus answer? ›

  • An Official Question About Authority. By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you authority to do this? ( ...
  • A Political Question About Money. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? ...
  • A Theological Question About Resurrection. At the resurrection whose wife will she be? ( ...
  • A Genuine Question About Love.

What is a spiritual conversation? ›

A spiritual conversation is an open discussion between equals in which participants meet each other to acknowledge and discuss the forces that speak into their lives as they try to answer the question 'Who am I? ' Beyond many of our conversations is a depth of personhood we often do not tap into.

What are some religious questions? ›

50 questions believers are asked every day about their faith, God and the Bible
  • What religion do you believe in?
  • Do you believe in God or another deity?
  • When did you choose your faith?
  • What is your idea of what God looks like?
  • Is there a heaven?
  • Is there a hell?
  • What does heaven look like?
  • What does hell look like?
Sep 23, 2014

How do I lead my family spiritually? ›

10 Ways to Help Your Family Be Closer to God
  1. Read God's word together. When you read the scriptures as a family, you will invite God's Spirit to be in your home. ...
  2. Serve others together. Perform small acts of service together as a family. ...
  3. Express love for each other often. ...
  4. Pray together as a family.

How do you practice spirituality in your family? ›

Six Steps to Inspiring Spiritual Growth in Your Family
  1. Put God's the Word in your heart. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart” (Deut. ...
  2. Teach God's commands to your children. ...
  3. Talk about God's Word at your table. ...
  4. Talk about God's commands as you travel. ...
  5. Make bedtime prayer time.
Feb 17, 2021

What are the 7 essential questions? ›

The seven essential questions are: (1) The Kickstart Question; (2) The AWE Question; (3) The Focus Question; (4) The Foundation Question; (5) The Lazy Question; (6) The Strategic Question; and (7) The Learning Question. I have adapted them for the purposes of conflict coaching.

What are the 7 key questions? ›

Ask the right question: Who, What, Why, When, Where, How, How Much? - Consultant's Mind. These 7 key questions are a great checklist, but also a sanity check. Are we (and our asking the right question?

What are the seven questions? ›

The 7 questions are:
  • What is the situation and how does it affect me?
  • What have I been told to do and why?
  • What effects do I need to achieve and what direction must I give to develop my plan?
  • Where can I best accomplish each action or effect?
  • What resources do I need to accomplish each action or effect?
Jan 26, 2017

What are the six crucial questions? ›

Six Critical Questions for Clarity
  • Why do we exist? (Why am I in business?) ...
  • How do we behave? (What are my values and how do I live them out?) ...
  • What do we do? (What do I do?) ...
  • How will we succeed? (How will I succeed?) ...
  • What's most important right now? ...
  • Who must do what? (What must I do?)
Dec 13, 2012

What are the 6 key questions? ›

It needs a really strong foundation. One of the best ways that teams can ensure they have a solid foundation is by answering the six basic questions of who, what, why, where, when, and how.

What are the 7 points of religion? ›

According to Smart, a religious framework is composed of seven dimensions: narrative/mythological, doctrinal, ethical, institutional, material, ritual, and experiential (Smart, 1999). These dimensions capture the broad and encompassing nature of religion.

What are some biblical questions? ›

Easy
  • In what city was Jesus born? ...
  • Who brought Jesus gifts when he was born? ...
  • What is the eighth commandment? ...
  • Name two out of the nine Fruits of the Spirit. ...
  • Who is the angel who told Mary she would give birth to Jesus? ...
  • On which day did Jesus rise from the dead? ...
  • What was Jesus' crown made of?

What are the 4 C's of religion? ›

Religion is an explanation of the ultimate meaning of life, and how to live accordingly; based on a notion of the Transcendent. Normally it contains the four "C's": Creed, Code, Cult, Community-structure.

What are soul questions? ›

Soul-searching questions are deep, thought-provoking questions that challenge you to examine your beliefs, values, aspirations, and desires. These questions are designed to help you uncover your true self and understand your place in the world.

What are the 4 basic questions? ›

There are four types of questions in English: general or yes/no questions, questions using wh-words, choice questions, and disjunctive or tag/tail questions.

What is life's greatest question? ›

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

How many unique questions did Jesus ask? ›

He knew all of the answers and yet he focused so much of his interaction with people on asking them questions. The four Gospels record 339 questions that Jesus asked.

What was the first question Jesus asked? ›

The first question Jesus asked also happens to be the first words spoken by Jesus in the book of John: “What is it that you seek?” Now, take a moment and reflect on how you would respond.

What are the 7 motivational spiritual gifts? ›

The seven motivational gifts found in Romans 12—(a) perceiving, (b) serving, (c) teaching, (d) encouraging, (e) giving, (f) ruling, and (g) mercy—when viewed as a profile provide a base for person-job fit suitable for use with all people regardless of faith tradition.

What is a powerful biblical message? ›

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What are spiritual encouragement words? ›

Words of Encouragement
  • DON'T WORRY, God is always on time... ...
  • GOD gave you a fingerprint that no one else has, so you can leave an imprint that no one else can. ...
  • I'M HAPPY... ...
  • Let people believe what they want... ...
  • Don't tell God how big your storm is... Tell the storm how BIG YOUR GOD IS!

What are 4 spiritual practices? ›

The practice of spiritual disciplines for personal spiritual growth includes Bible study, prayer, meditation, and fasting.

What are the 4 areas of spirituality? ›

Spirituality is considered by many to be an important domain of health. It is sometimes measured in four domains of connections: to oneself, to others, to nature and to the transcendent.

How do you start a gospel conversation? ›

How to Start Gospel Conversations
  1. See people as Jesus does. Gospel conversations happen as a result of seeing people the way Jesus does. ...
  2. Smile. ...
  3. Find something to comment on. ...
  4. Ask open questions about the other person. ...
  5. Look for open doors to plant gospel seeds. ...
  6. Invite a response.
Apr 28, 2022

What are deep spiritual questions for Christians? ›

When did you first know there was a God? When in your life did you feel closest to God? What makes you feel most connected to God? How do you balance all the priorities in your life?

What is an ultimate question in religion? ›

Much religious education now, and perhaps more to come, is based on a consideration of what some have called ultimate questions. Questions like 'Who am I ?' , 'Why are we here ?' , 'What is the purpose of life ?' , 'Does the universe have meaning ?'

How do you put God first in your family? ›

Placing God First
  1. Establish your priorities. Our passions guide our actions. Choose passions that honor God instead of competing with your faith. ...
  2. Engage in worship. Choose to give God praise by worshiping him as a family. ...
  3. Honor God's name. Let your home be a place where God's name is never taken in vain.

What is a good scripture for family? ›

"Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." "Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." "Honor your father and mother."

How do you build faith in your family? ›

3 Keys to Simple Family Faith-Building
  1. daily family Bible study.
  2. being at church whenever the doors are open.
  3. long and meaningful prayers at the dinner table and bedtime.
  4. worship music playing at all times throughout the house and in the car.
  5. the perfect Advent countdown complete with Bible reading and memorization.
Jan 19, 2017

What are the three parts of spirituality? ›

According to the results of our study, the three components of spiritual health are: religious, individualistic, and material world-oriented.

What is the importance of family spirituality? ›

When families face tough situations, including health problems, their religious beliefs and practices can help them fight feelings of helplessness, restore meaning and order to life situations, and help them regain a sense of control. For some families, spirituality can be a powerful and important source of strength.

What is God's blessing for the family? ›

Genesis 1:28, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…” They are blessed with anointed children raised in the ways of the Lord. God is attracted to and blesses a family where the father instructs the children in the ways of the Lord.

What are the 12 powers of spirituality? ›

Our minds can be a link to Spirit through these 12 capacities: wisdom, love, strength, faith, imagination, order, understanding, will, power, zeal, release, and life itself. We can paint the life we want by focusing on, understanding, and cultivating these 12 spiritual powers.

What are the 12 points of spirituality? ›

The 12 spiritual principles of recovery are as follows: acceptance, hope, faith, courage, honesty, patience, humility, willingness, brotherly love, integrity, self-discipline, and service.

What are the 10 concepts in spirituality? ›

Innocence, wisdom, pure desire and knowledge, self-mastery, compassion, collectivity and diplomacy, forgiveness and an unshaken and proven knowledge of the existence of the divine power are some of the most important qualities of a spiritual person.

What are the most powerful questions? ›

Powerful Questions That Will Change Your Life Forever
  • What's the one thing you really want to do but have never done? ...
  • What are your fundamental life values? ...
  • What would you do if money wasn't an object? ...
  • If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to admit them? ...
  • How are you influencing the world?

What are the 4 main questions of life? ›

The Four Great Questions of Life: Who Am I? Where Do I Come From? What Is My Purpose? Where Am I Going?

What are the golden questions? ›

Golden questions are questions used to allocate people to segments. They are also known as self-selection questions.

What do powerful questions begin with? ›

  • Powerful questions start with Wh- words (with the exception of Why) and How. Ideal words to start an open question with are What, Where and How. ...
  • Powerful questions are short and to the point. Again, open questions are about putting you in charge. ...
  • Powerful questions are created in the moment.
Jun 2, 2019

What are the 10 hardest questions in the world with answers? ›

10 'hardest' General Knowledge Questions
  • What is the world's smallest country?
  • What are the first three books of The Old Testament?
  • How many sides does a dodecahedron have?
  • What were the names of Henry VIII's six wives?
  • Banksy is most associated with which city?
  • What nationality was Charlie Chaplin?
Jun 2, 2020

What are the sacred 7 questions? ›

Match
  • Localization. What brings you in today? ...
  • Chronology. How often are you coughing? ...
  • Quality. Is it a dry cough? ...
  • Severity. how uncomfortable are you? ...
  • Onset. When did you start coughing?
  • Aggravating/Alleviating. Is there anything you do to help the cough? or anything that irritates it more?
  • Manifestations.

What is one of life's big questions? ›

Find our purpose through faith

The biggest question for most must be, “What is the purpose of life?” A fundamental purpose of earth life is personal growth and attainment.

What are some life questions to ask? ›

10 Life-Changing Questions to Ask Yourself Today
  • How will your life be different in a year? ...
  • What are you grateful for? ...
  • What nice thing can you do for someone else today? ...
  • How much do you worry about what others think? ...
  • What are you doing to invest in your relationships? ...
  • What do you do for fun?
Oct 16, 2017

What are the 6 universal questions? ›

In this 2½-hour presentation, I lay out answers to the “six universal questions” about the Book: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

What are life's two most important questions? ›

You have probably asked yourself these questions at one point or another. I think that it all boils down to the two most important questions in life, “Why am I here?” and “What am I going to do about it?”

What is the ultimate question of life? ›

The number 42 is, in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything," calculated by an enormous supercomputer named Deep Thought over a period of 7.5 million years. Unfortunately, no one knows what the question is.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated: 30/07/2023

Views: 5283

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.