One of the biggest mistakes preachers could make is assuming they already know what’s going on in someone’s life instead of taking the time to ask. People often carry burdens that aren’t visible on the surface, and assumptions can cause us to miss the real issue.
Billy Graham was known for asking simple, direct questions such as, “Are you struggling with sin today?” or “Do you have a drinking problem?” Rather than presuming he knew a person’s condition, he invited them to honestly examine their own heart. Those questions opened the door for meaningful conversation and allowed the gospel to be applied to the person’s actual need.
As ministers of the gospel, we should be quick to listen and slow to assume. Compassionate questions often reveal more than confident conclusions. Before we prescribe an answer, we should first understand the person standing in front of us. Jesus often asked questions—not because He lacked knowledge, but because His questions drew people to recognize their own need and respond in faith.
Cross Commission Ministries 