Ask a thoughtful question that helps the other person reason

Push the person aside and avoid the issue

Respond with a sharp comeback that ends the discussion

Change the topic and leave the question unresolved

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and tried to live by my own rule. I turn from my sin and ask you to forgive me. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord and ask you to lead me into your family and your wisdom. Thank you for receiving me. Amen.

Come Into My Life

Lord, revive your Church to listen before speaking and to ask questions with humility. Where we have been proud, reactive, or careless, make us attentive to the people in front of us. Let our words point others toward truth and grace, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Teach Your Church to Ask Well

Father, when someone asks me a hard question, slow my heart and give me wisdom. Keep me from defensiveness, help me think clearly, and teach me to answer with grace, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Give Me a Thoughtful Reply

Thank you for Jesus, who knows how to meet people personally and draw out a thoughtful answer. Thank you that his questions are wise and purposeful, not careless or cruel.

Thank You for Jesus' Wisdom

Pray for rulers, leaders, and anyone who handles public money or authority: that they would act fairly, not burden families or outsiders unjustly, and use power with integrity.

Fairness in Leadership

Start by naming one conversation where you tend to answer too fast. Ask God to help you pause, listen carefully, and choose a question that opens the door to understanding.

Pray Before You Reply

λέγει·{LE-yee###LEH-yee###He says} Ναί.{NAI###NAI###Yes} καὶ{KAI###KAI###And} ⸀ἐλθόντα{el-THON-ta###ehl-THOHN-tah###having come} εἰς{EES###EES###into} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###the} οἰκίαν{ee-KEE-an###ee-KEE-ahn###house} προέφθασεν{pro-EF-tha-sen###proh-EHF-thah-sehn###(He) anticipated} αὐτὸν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###him} ὁ{HO###HOH###(the)} Ἰησοῦς{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} λέγων·{LE-gon###LEH-gohn###saying} Τί{TEE###TEE###What} σοι{SEE###SEE###to you} δοκεῖ,{do-KEE###doh-KEE###seems} Σίμων;{SEE-mon###SEE-mohn###Simon} οἱ{HEE###HEE###the} βασιλεῖς{va-si-LEES###vah-see-LEES###kings} τῆς{TEES###TEES###of the} γῆς{YEES###YEES###earth} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###from} τίνων{TEE-non###TEE-nohn###whom} λαμβάνουσιν{lam-VA-noo-sin###lahm-VAH-noo-sin###(They) collect} τέλη{TE-lee###TEH-lee###duties} ἢ{EE###EE###or} κῆνσον;{KEEN-son###KEEN-sohn###poll tax} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###from} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} υἱῶν{hee-ON###hee-OHN###sons} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###of them} ἢ{EE###EE###or} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###from} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} ἀλλοτρίων;{al-lo-TREE-on###ahl-loh-TREE-ohn###others}

Matthew 17:25 — LiteralTAB

More on this verse