The Art of Asking Better Questions

""Full disclosure—J.R. Briggs is an automatic read for me, and The Art of Asking Better Questions proves why. This book reignites the undervalued rabbinic skill of asking questions, showing how they can deepen relationships, strengthen leadership, and enrich faith. J.R. weaves together engaging stories, practical insights, and a genuine passion that invites readers to embrace curiosity as a way to connect more meaningfully with others and the world. After all, Jesus himself modeled this as the greatest question-asker of all time, and J.R. helps us follow in those footsteps. It's a compelling, thought-provoking guide for anyone who wants to live with greater intention, wonder, and discovery. "" -- Leonard Sweet, author of Decoding the Divine, professor, preacher, publisher, and proprietor of Sanctuary Seaside advance center ""Full disclosure—J.R. Briggs is an automatic read for me, and The Art of Asking Better Questions proves why. This book reignites the undervalued rabbinic skill of asking questions, showing how they can deepen relationships, strengthen leadership, and enrich faith. J.R. weaves together engaging stories, practical insights, and a genuine passion that invites readers to embrace curiosity as a way to connect more meaningfully with others and the world. After all, Jesus himself modeled this as the greatest question-asker of all time, and J.R. helps us follow in those footsteps. It's a compelling, thought-provoking guide for anyone who wants to live with greater intention, wonder, and discovery. "" -- Leonard Sweet, author of Decoding the Divine, professor, preacher, publisher, and proprietor of Sanctuary Seaside advance center ""If a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver, then asking quality questions may be compared to a pearl of great prize. If you would like to learn how to ask better questions and thereby cultivate a richer relationship with God and others, then why not give yourself the gift of this intriguing, insightful book by J.R. Briggs and make your world--and the world--a better place?"" -- Todd D. Still, Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean and William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures at the George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University ""If a word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver, then asking quality questions may be compared to a pearl of great prize. If you would like to learn how to ask better questions and thereby cultivate a richer relationship with God and others, then why not give yourself the gift of this intriguing, insightful book by J.R. Briggs and make your world--and the world--a better place?"" -- Todd D. Still, Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean and William M. Hinson Professor of Christian Scriptures at the George W. Truett Seminary at Baylor University ""If, as J.R. Briggs so powerfully communicates in the pages that follow, 'good questions are gifts we extend to others,' then reading this book feels like sitting next to the tree on Christmas morning. The quality of our lives truly is determined by the quality of questions we ask God, ourselves, and others, and this fantastic book helps you move toward better questions and a better life. What are you waiting for?"" -- Ben Malcolmson, motivational speaker and author of Walk On: From Pee Wee Dropout to the NFL Sidelines ""If, as J.R. Briggs so powerfully communicates in the pages that follow, 'good questions are gifts we extend to others,' then reading this book feels like sitting next to the tree on Christmas morning. The quality of our lives truly is determined by the quality of questions we ask God, ourselves, and others, and this fantastic book helps you move toward better questions and a better life. What are you waiting for?"" -- Ben Malcolmson, motivational speaker and author of Walk On: From Pee Wee Dropout to the NFL Sidelines ""The invitation that this book offers us is breathtaking. Ask good questions. In a world of trite, algorithm-formed answers, the call of God's people is to learn to craft the best questions all over again. These questions are not new—they are simply new to us. Which matters. Because when we look at Jesus, he didn't answer the bad questions. Because it's impossible to give a good answer to a bad question. We must return to the good questions. And J.R. Briggs has shown us how to do so."" -- A. J. Swoboda, associate professor of Bible and theology at Bushnell University and author of A Teachable Spirit ""The invitation that this book offers us is breathtaking. Ask good questions. In a world of trite, algorithm-formed answers, the call of God's people is to learn to craft the best questions all over again. These questions are not new—they are simply new to us. Which matters. Because when we look at Jesus, he didn't answer the bad questions. Because it's impossible to give a good answer to a bad question. We must return to the good questions. And J.R. Briggs has shown us how to do so."" -- A. J. Swoboda, associate professor of Bible and theology at Bushnell University and author of A Teachable Spirit ""Get ready to unearth some great treasures in J.R. Briggs' The Art of Asking Better Questions (and then record these gems to remember in what J.R. calls a Questions Journal). J.R. teaches the mindsets that allow for great questions (curiosity, courage, wisdom, and humility), and we learn powerful questions to deepen our relationships—in our spiritual lives, as leaders, or simply with people we want to befriend. I've already used J.R.'s questions for lament and spiritual growth in my own life. This book will inspire you and open up conversational pathways you never imagined."" -- Heather Holleman, professor, speaker, and author of The Six Conversations ""Get ready to unearth some great treasures in J.R. Briggs' The Art of Asking Better Questions (and then record these gems to remember in what J.R. calls a Questions Journal). J.R. teaches the mindsets that allow for great questions (curiosity, courage, wisdom, and humility), and we learn powerful questions to deepen our relationships—in our spiritual lives, as leaders, or simply with people we want to befriend. I've already used J.R.'s questions for lament and spiritual growth in my own life. This book will inspire you and open up conversational pathways you never imagined."" -- Heather Holleman, professor, speaker, and author of The Six Conversations ""By far this is the best resource on becoming a person who asks great questions! The diverse research, helpful footnotes, numerous biblical examples, and tons of practical exercises make this a valuable book. I will be rereading, marking up, and sharing with my tribe for years to come. J.R. Briggs' transparency is disarming, and his boldness is challenging—what a perfect combo! You've got to dive into this book, don't put it off—you won't regret it."" -- David Arthur, CEO and president of Precept and author of Ordinary People, Extraordinary God ""By far this is the best resource on becoming a person who asks great questions! The diverse research, helpful footnotes, numerous biblical examples, and tons of practical exercises make this a valuable book. I will be rereading, marking up, and sharing with my tribe for years to come. J.R. Briggs' transparency is disarming, and his boldness is challenging—what a perfect combo! You've got to dive into this book, don't put it off—you won't regret it."" -- David Arthur, CEO and president of Precept and author of Ordinary People, Extraordinary God ""Who would have known that so much growth could come by asking better questions? Well, J.R. Briggs. This is something he's not just taught but also modeled for as long as I've known him. Many of us have been urging him to write this kind of book, and we are the better now that he has. Combining relevant research with inspiring stories and practical guidance, J.R. shows how our lives, relationships, and world might be enriched by asking better questions. I hope it will be read by leaders, teachers, and every person who wants to grow."" -- Keas Keasler, associate professor of Spiritual Theology at Friends University ""Who would have known that so much growth could come by asking better questions? Well, J.R. Briggs. This is something he's not just taught but also modeled for as long as I've known him. Many of us have been urging him to write this kind of book, and we are the better now that he has. Combining relevant research with inspiring stories and practical guidance, J.R. shows how our lives, relationships, and world might be enriched by asking better questions. I hope it will be read by leaders, teachers, and every person who wants to grow."" -- Keas Keasler, associate professor of Spiritual Theology at Friends University ""J.R. Briggs has written a timely and important book. The questions we ask determine the kind of life we live. J.R.'s skillful, pastoral, and practical analysis of the power of questions in our lives is a gift to us all. Hoping God uses this book so we can ask better questions and live more fruitful, missional, and God-honoring lives."" -- Jon Tyson, author and pastor of Church of the City New York ""J.R. Briggs has written a timely and important book. The questions we ask determine the kind of life we live. J.R.'s skillful, pastoral, and practical analysis of the power of questions in our lives is a gift to us all. Hoping God uses this book so we can ask better questions and live more fruitful, missional, and God-honoring lives."" -- Jon Tyson, author and pastor of Church of the City New York ""What if the key to deeper leadership isn't having the right answers but asking better questions? This book is a powerful reminder that questions expand perspective, deepen engagement, and strengthen connections. In today's ever-changing world, few skills are more vital for leaders. With this conviction, J.R. Briggs provides a road map for cultivating curiosity by offering examples, practical frameworks, and a treasure trove of hard-hitting questions. If you want to live and lead with greater depth, humility, and impact, The Art of Asking Better Questions is an essential guide."" -- Shannon Kiser, senior director of Fresh Expressions North America ""What if the key to deeper leadership isn't having the right answers but asking better questions? This book is a powerful reminder that questions expand perspective, deepen engagement, and strengthen connections. In today's ever-changing world, few skills are more vital for leaders. With this conviction, J.R. Briggs provides a road map for cultivating curiosity by offering examples, practical frameworks, and a treasure trove of hard-hitting questions. If you want to live and lead with greater depth, humility, and impact, The Art of Asking Better Questions is an essential guide."" -- Shannon Kiser, senior director of Fresh Expressions North America ""In The Art of Asking Better Questions, author and 'professional question asker' J.R. Briggs challenges readers to reflect on these information-eliciting expressions that compose so much of our language: questions. More than attracting information, attending to questions cultivates curiosity, enhances awareness, and places a renewed and sharpened focus on the world outside us—persons, places, and things. Using entertaining illustrations and accessible writing, J.R. invites readers to see questions not merely as instruments of information but as a means of formation."" -- Kevin Brown, president of Asbury University ""In The Art of Asking Better Questions, author and 'professional question asker' J.R. Briggs challenges readers to reflect on these information-eliciting expressions that compose so much of our language: questions. More than attracting information, attending to questions cultivates curiosity, enhances awareness, and places a renewed and sharpened focus on the world outside us—persons, places, and things. Using entertaining illustrations and accessible writing, J.R. invites readers to see questions not merely as instruments of information but as a means of formation."" -- Kevin Brown, president of Asbury University ""The world is filled with too many answers which are facile, manipulative, or shallow. But a good question opens the door to self-awareness, to healthy relationships, and to spiritual depth. J.R. Briggs invites us to follow the way of Jesus, who used good questions to dignify and to dive in, to clarify and to confront, to reframe and to renew. And he shows us how to do the same."" -- Gregory L. Jao, senior assistant to the president and director of diversity and external relations for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA ""In an age dominated by simple answers, J.R. Briggs demonstrates the power of curiosity and engaged inquiry. J.R. shows how good questions do more than reveal information or direction; they bring us into relationship with God and others who challenge, encourage, and shape our thinking and encourage our souls. Life is better because of questions, and J.R. will guide you in the art of cultivating questions for transformation."" -- Michael Hammond, president of Gordon College