I remember sitting across from a struggling employee, asking a simple question: “What do you think went wrong?”
I already knew the answer but wanted them to acknowledge it themselves. It wasn’t about blame—it was about reflection, responsibility, and growth.
God does the same with us. Throughout Scripture, He asks questions—not because He needs information, but to help people confront their own failures and course-correct. From Adam hiding in the garden to Peter’s moment of redemption, God’s questions offer powerful lessons for leaders today.
1. Accountability: Owning Up to Our Actions
The first recorded question in the Bible is hauntingly simple: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). Adam and Eve had just eaten from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, directly disobeying God’s command. Shame and fear drove them into hiding among the trees. Rather than immediately pronouncing judgment, God’s question exposed their guilt and invited them to acknowledge their failure.
Leadership Takeaway: True leaders don’t just issue commands—they ask questions that prompt accountability. When an employee, a team member, or even we ourselves have made a mistake, how we frame our response matters. Questions like “What do you think happened?” can invite responsibility rather than defensiveness.
2. Self-Reflection: Encouraging Honest Assessment
Exhausted and discouraged, Elijah fled to Mount Horeb after a great victory over the prophets of Baal. Despite witnessing God’s power, fear of Jezebel’s threats drove him into isolation. God’s question to him was, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). This question was not for God’s knowledge but to force Elijah to confront his fear, exhaustion, and loss of perspective.
Leadership Takeaway: Leaders must help their teams reflect rather than react. When faced with setbacks, instead of giving instant solutions, consider asking, “What’s the real challenge here?” Encouraging reflection leads to breakthroughs.
3. Humility: Recognizing Our Limitations Before God
In the midst of his suffering, Job questioned God’s justice, demanding an explanation for his afflictions. Instead of answering directly, God’s question to him was: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4). Through a series of rhetorical questions, God reminded Job of his limited understanding and the vastness of divine wisdom and power.
Leadership Takeaway: Leaders must acknowledge their own limitations and foster humility in their teams. Asking reflective questions rather than providing immediate answers helps others recognize their dependence on wisdom beyond themselves. A leader who humbly asks, “What can we learn from this?” fosters growth and collaboration.
4. Restoration: Moving Beyond Failure
After Peter denied Jesus three times, the risen Christ met him on the shore of Galilee. Instead of rebuking Peter, God’s question to him was a deeply personal one, repeated three times: “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). With each repetition, Jesus countered Peter’s denials and restored him to his calling, commissioning him to feed His sheep.
Leadership Takeaway: Everyone fails. But great leaders restore rather than reject. Asking “What have you learned?” instead of “Why did you fail?” can help people rebuild their confidence and commitment. Leaders should guide people toward redemption rather than dwelling on mistakes.
5. Direction: Redirecting to God’s Mission
Hagar, an Egyptian servant, found herself alone in the wilderness after fleeing from Sarah’s harsh treatment. God’s question to her was: “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” (Genesis 16:8). Though Hagar was escaping difficulty, God redirected her toward a future in His plan, promising to bless her and her descendants.
Leadership Takeaway: Sometimes, people lose focus or become discouraged. Great leaders help others reorient themselves toward their purpose by asking questions that clarify their next steps. A well-placed “What’s your goal?” or “What do you feel called to do?” can bring renewed direction and clarity.
Conclusion
God’s leadership model is one of grace, accountability, and transformation. He does not avoid confrontation, nor does He issue decrees. Instead, God’s questions challenge, convict, and restore. As Christian business leaders, we can follow His example by asking the right questions at the right time.
Where are you struggling as a leader? What question is God asking you today? Are you avoiding the hard conversations that could bring growth? Step into God’s model of leadership—one that invites accountability, self-reflection, humility, restoration, and direction.
Leadership is not about having all the answers but knowing the right questions to ask. Are you willing to follow God’s Questions and lead with wisdom and grace?
Action Steps for Leader
Leadership is about intentionality and growth. Here are some practical ways to apply these lessons in your leadership:
- Start asking more reflective questions rather than issuing statements.
- When someone makes a mistake, ask what they learned rather than blaming.
- Use questions to help team members focus on their purpose and calling.
- Ask yourself, “What is God asking me right now?” and reflect on His direction.
- Practice humility by acknowledging that God already knows the answer—He’s just waiting for you to recognize it.
Discussion Questions
God’s Questions throughout Scripture prompt deep reflection. Use these to examine your own leadership journey:
- What’s a time when a well-placed question changed your perspective?
- How do you handle mistakes—do you assign blame or encourage reflection?
- What question do you think God might be asking you in your leadership journey?
- How can you create a culture of accountability in your workplace?
- What’s one practical way you can use Jesus’ leadership model in your team?
More Articles on Leadership Development
I’ve written numerous other articles on leadership development. You can search for “leadership development” in the search bar to read them. Here are a few of my most recent favorites:
- #624: What Eli, Moses, and Saul Teach Us About Leadership Transitions
- #623: Molded by Challenges: The Crucial Role of Opposition in Leadership Development
- #603: Peter’s Leadership Development: Five Steps from Fisherman to Shepherd
- #583: How Wisdom and Innocence Shape Christian Business Leadership
- #574: Harnessing Values and Skills: The Secret to Christian Leadership Success
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. How have you or can you leverage the use of questions in the leadership of your organization?
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Category: Skills | Leadership Development
Our police department always held team debriefs after major incidents, so we could examine what went right, what went wrong, and where we could improve. Then, we’d incorporate the lessons in future police training days. And I often encouraged our individual staff members to conduct periodic “personal” debriefs. Asking oneself what went right, wrong, and paths to improvement. It’s an effective approach personally and organizationally.