2 Timothy

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NASB	2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
AMPLIFIED 2015	2 Timothy 2:23 But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels.

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Bible Question (short): Can't we practice asking good questions?

Question (full): I am inclined to agree with you that there is little done in today in the churches. Wish we could see the power that Paul talked of. Wish we could see some areas of the world turned upside-down again.

Some are saying that Christians are ordinary people with extraordinary claims. Truth is I heard that a long time ago and I don't know if they're still saying it. What are they saying about the church today?

Some say we are under the power of the banks, the financial institutions that lend us the money to build big buildings. Some say all they do is talk. Perhaps we build big buildings with great acoustics and we buy power amplifiers so that can talk. We talk a lot, and loudly, and there is little else that we do.

I am not sure that is fair, frankly. Catholics are known for helping the poor, and Methodists run good hospitals, Seventh Day Adventists stress good health and Presbyterians who run nursing homes. So I am not sure. It may be that we are to do those things and still preach the gospel and provide counseling and show love in more practical ways. But before we do any of those things we must talk about them. So we are back to the subject of talking, which includes asking questions.

As you say, asking questions is necessary for the body to grow. What we are trying to do is to make sure that the right kinds of questions are being asked. Foolish and unlearned questions do not cause the body to grow. Rather, they cause strife and other bad things.

Now I gather that you are a teacher, because you say, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions just ask, I will answer as best as I can”. May I suggest that you make sure that others consider you a teacher and recognize you as such? Then, for all teachers, the idea is that you decline to answer foolish and unlearned questions? Ignoring is one way to extinguish a behavior. Better yet is the idea of helping that person. Rephrase the question for him. And when you do answer, may I suggest that you consider all of scripture in giving your response?

You say, “The Bible tells us that, I need no man to teach me, except the Holy Ghost” but the Bible also says that God gives us teachers to answer our questions and otherwise to build up the body. It is true that “The Bible tells us that when we don’t know how to pray the spirit utters groanings”. We must balance that with the fact Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye”. And there are other instructions about the proper way to pray. There are examples for us to follow. And always, always, we learn by practicing.

“Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

We need to practice asking useful questions too. Do you think this response is helpful?