53 compelling questions - manhoodjourney.org · at manhood journey, we believe that great dads ask...

53 Compelling Questions

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53 Compelling Questions Do you struggle to get your kids to open up to you? Do you want to build common ground, drive meaningful dialogue, or just want to know them better?

This can seem difficult for some of us because we talk too much and ask too little.

At Manhood Journey, we believe that great dads ask great questions. Questions that cause their kids to think, process, and wrestle with their thoughts a bit. Questions that aren’t meant to “catch” them, but that are meant to engage them.

Here are 53 questions that we love! Some are probing, some are simple. Clearly, these aren’t the only good questions on earth. Invent your own. The goal of this resource is to spur you on toward becoming an amazing asker-of-questions in your family!

1. What do you want? (especially helpful when they’re frustrated)

2. What kind of outcome do you believe is realistic?

3. What kind of person do you want to be?

4. Would you like to be married one day?

5. What qualities are you looking for in your ideal spouse?

6. Why do you want to go to college?

7. Why do you think your teacher is so hard on you?

8. Why do you think other parents have different rules than we do?

9. Is something bothering you (on your mind) today?

10. What problems are you facing this week?

11. Why can’t you be more like your brother? (just kidding! Don’t use!)


12. How do you think God might use that skill of yours?

13. What’s the difference between a boy and a man?

14. Where do you see the road you’re on ending up?

15. If I had an alternative viewpoint, would you want me to share it?

16. In this situation, what do you think Jesus would do?

17. Why do you think your friend acted that way?

18. What are three lessons you can learn from this situation?

19. Give me three reasons why that’s a bad idea?

20. What do you think your mom and I expect from you in this area?

21. Do you think you’re ready to be a husband (wife)?

22. What area of your life most needs improvement?

23. Why do you think that?

24. How did you arrive at that conclusion?

25. What is the single biggest challenge you’re having right now?

26. Why are you angry? (or sad, depressed, afraid…)

27. What can we do to fix the situation?

28. Why do you think your brother (sister, friend, teacher, mother…) responded that way?

29. What’s your favorite subject at school?

30. Who’s your favorite teacher? Why do you like them so much?

31. What would your dream weekend be like, if you could do anything you want?


32. How could we save money as a family?

33. If I saw an area where you could improve, would you want to know about it?

34. Do you think you’ll have kids? If so, what kind of parent do you think you’ll be?

35. Which holiday tradition of ours do you like most?

36. What is the hardest thing about being (your age)?

37. At what age do you think people should get married?

38. What do you think is unfair (or fair) about the way we discipline you?

39. What do you do at school if you see someone being teased?

40. If you could choose where we went on vacation, where would it be?

41. What are three adjectives that describe our home life?

42. What quality do you admire about yourself?

43. Which personal quality do you wish you had more of?

44. Some say wisdom comes with age, do you agree with that?

45. What would you do if you were in charge for a week (at home, at school, on your team…)?

46. If you could be famous, what would you want to be famous for?

47. Do you have any friends you are worried about?

48. If I gave you $100 to spend on anything, what would you do with it?

49. Who do you think looks up to you?

50. What would be the best surprise you could receive?

51. What is something we’ve not done as a family you’d like to do?


52. Which friend of yours makes you laugh the most?

53. If you could teach a bible class, what topic or book would you want to focus on?

What other questions have you used to draw your family into meaningful dialogue? Let us know!

TW: @manhoodjourney

FB: facebook.com/manhoodjourney


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53 compelling questions - manhoodjourney.org · at manhood journey, we believe that great dads ask...

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