Excerpted with permission from Chapter 10 of “Spiritual Leadership Coaching” by Richard Blackaby and Bob Royall

Note from Bob (Tiede): The just released “Spiritual Leadership Coaching” book was a page-turner for me!  I am thrilled that my friends Richard and Bob gave me permission to share excerpts with you from their terrific book.  Because of all of the Gold found in Chapter 10 my post schedule this week is just a bit different from my normal.  Today’s post is Part 3 of 3.

Click “HERE” to read Part 1 of 3:  “What Makes a Coaching Question Powerful?”

Click “HERE” to read Part 2 of 3:  “Powerful Coaching Questions for Each Meta-skill:  Relationship, Awareness, Focus & Commitment and Futuring.”

Our unique approach to coaching is deeply informed by the seven realities Henry Blackaby taught in his classic work, Experiencing God. In that material, Blackaby outlines a sevenfold process through which people experience God:

1. God is always at work around you.
2. God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
3. God invites you to become involved with Him and His work.
4. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.
5. God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him, and He accomplishes His purposes through you.

Powerful Spirit-Led Questions and the Seven Realities

The best questions come from God, not a list. But the questions below may reveal God’s work in a person’s life.

1. God is always at work around you. 

• Tell me about some times when you know God encountered you (It may be helpful for people to develop a list of up to seven instances, the context of each, and what they learned about God through those experiences.).
• When is the last time you felt God working in your life?
• What do you sense God is doing right now in the lives of people around you?

2. God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal. 

• When did God become more than a doctrine or concept to you?
• What are some ways you feel God is pursuing (or hounding) you?
• When have you felt God’s love most? Least?

3. God invites you to become involved with Him in His work. 

• How would you describe your personal calling?
• What is the one thing you simply must do in life?
• In what ways have you recently sensed an unusual stirring or spiritual hunger in people who are not normally spiritually interested?
• What are the areas of spiritual restlessness within your soul? What might the Holy Spirit be preparing you to do or become?

4. God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways. 

• How have you sensed God speaking to you as you prayed and read His Word?
• What passage in the Bible has significantly impacted you lately?
• What unusual circumstances have you experienced recently? How do you sense God
might be working in or through them?
• What have other people said to you that seems to have the ring of truth or conviction?
• What have you learned lately about God and His ways?

5. God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.

• What is the biggest challenge for you right now?
• What is the last thing you know God asked you to do that you have not yet obeyed?
• What do you most fear in this situation?
• In what ways is God calling you into deep waters in this situation?

6. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. 

• What does obedience look like in this situation?
• What will you do?
• Which of these choices most clearly reflects God’s character? Which choice requires you to
trust God more?
• How open are you to making the necessary changes?

7. You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you. 

• How has God worked through you lately?
• When has obedience led to real blessing or growth in your life?
• In what aspect of your life do you most feel the pleasure or power of God?
• How has God been more “real” to you lately than He has seemed before?

CONCLUSION

Questions are one of the most effective and powerful tools in a coach’s tool kit. Coaches should not become complacent with their ability to ask questions. There is always room for improvement!

Note from Bob: Whether you are a Coach or a Leader or aspire to being either one or both you will want to get your hands on this book.  I encourage you to purchase your “Spiritual Leadership Coaching” book today by clicking “Here!” 

Dr. Richard Blackaby (son of Henry T. Blackaby of Experiencing God) serves as the President of Blackaby Ministries International.  Dr. Bob Royall serves as Director of Coaching for Blackaby Ministry International providing overall guidance for all aspects of Blackaby Ministry International Coaching.  You can connect with both Richard and Bob @ Blackaby.org