Do you allow there to be silence after you ask questions?
No matter what age the group is, asking questions can be tough. It seems that whether I'm teaching, observing, or part of the group there is always a time of silence after a question is asked. I think there are a few reasons for this.
1. Poorly worded question.
2. Thought provoking question.
3. People are not paying attention.
4. People just do not have an answer.
One of the first things I learned in ministry was the importance of allowing the students to think after a question is asked. Is this easy? No, its usually awkward. I've watched many teachers be quick to say something, not wanting there to be silence. But silence is your friend (as long as you have asked a good question). Silence means the students are thinking and processing. I would rather have a student process a question than just give a quick, unthoughtout answer (or worse just give a "Sunday School" answer).
Give them time to process the question.
There is another side, though. The question may not be asking what you think it is or it may just be confusing. Even in these cases, I would recommend allowing the students to process. If they are trying to really think about it then I've found that at least one student will ask to have you rephrase the question.
While you are waiting for an answer, be thinking about the question you asked. If its confusing to you, work on rewording it on the spot and reask it. But don't answer it yourself. If the students know you will answer it, then they will learn to just wait for you to tell them what to think. And once you go down that road - its hard to get them back. (at least that's what I've found)
Next time you're working on a lesson, spend extra time making sure you are asking good, thought-provoking questions. Then during the class, be willing to wait for an answer.
Let the students process.
Let God work in their hearts.
Let them learn its okay to not always have a quick answer.
Let their be silence.
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