Listening Well
Good relationships often start with a lot of listening.
It’s hard to know someone if the only thing we’re focused on is being known.
And so whether it’s a romantic relationship, a business partnership, or just a casual friendship, we build relational equity by taking the time to know the person sitting across from us.
We take the time to listen.
When it comes to relationships with people we’re praying would come to know Jesus, truly hearing and understanding what they’re saying and feeling may be the kindest and most loving gift we can give.
In order to BLESS our neighbors, friends, or coworkers, we need to listen with intention.
We need to listen to understand their hearts, their fears, their dreams, their disappointments, their hopes, and their longings.
And fundamentally, we need to listen with the simple goal of getting to know them better.
But not everyone is a confident and charismatic conversationalist. So, if you need some help knowing where to begin, here are some conversation starters…
- Tell me your story. Where did you grow up?
- What’s your favorite part about living here?
- What do you miss from home (if they moved recently)?
- What do you do for fun? How do you spend your free time?
- What are you reading?
- Are there any Netflix/Hulu/television series you’d recommend?
- What’s your favorite (team, Burger, BBQ or Mexican food restaurant, vacation spot, etc.)?
- What kinds of jobs have you had? Which did you like best? Which was the hardest?
- What are your dreams for the future?
- Have you traveled anywhere interesting lately?
- If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?
- What brings you joy?