My Favorite Questions

Thanks for reading this year! As we prep for a new year, I want to equip you with tools for reflection. Worship leaders usually aren’t very good at reflecting. Introspection and navel gazing, yes, but real reflection, not so much.

At the end of January, I plan to teach three breakouts at the Worship 4:24 Conference at Cedarville University (https://www.cedarville.edu/events/worship424). One of those will be on the art of becoming a connoisseur of questions. This is a habit I’ve developed over decades as an Ad Lib worship coach, since we love to help leaders get in touch with what’s happening below the surface.

Last Christmas, I gave my 18-year-old a journal. I chose my favorite questions and amassed a ton more from other sources, hand-writing them on pages throughout the journal as prompts for him. I hope they inspire you to take time to reflect.

1. Lord, what do you want me to know right now?

2. What else could be true of this situation?

3. What am I missing?

4. What am I feeling?

5. What is one thing I wish were different right now?

6. What has the Lord said about this?

7. Where can I see growth in myself from a year ago?

8. What other options could be possible?

9. What’s one little thing that gives me joy, and can I do it right now?

10. What would have to be true for this to work?

11. If I were the healthiest version of myself, what is that one thing that needs to change?

12. What do I think others like about me?

13. If those around me copied my rhythm of time before the Lord, would that be a good thing? Why? Why not?

14. What’s behind that?

15. What’s driving me right now?

16. What am I believing about this?

17. Is there any lie about me that I have believed, and what is the truth?

18. When You look at me, what do you see?

19. Is there anything You'd like me to give to You, and what do You promise to give me in return?

20. Is there anything You want to correct or that I need to confess, or seek forgiveness?

21. What has pleased You about me lately?

22. Is there a word of encouragement You want to give me, or to give to someone?

23. Is there something You've been saying to me for a long time that You want to remind me of?

24. Is there a special Scripture You want to bring to mind? Why that one, Lord?

25. Is there something new You are calling me to?

26. What are You calling me to do right now?

27. How do You want to do this/that?

28. What does that look like, Lord?

29. When You think about me, what look comes to your face, Lord?

30. What’s in my hand? What have You already provided or given me to steward?

31. What makes me really, really angry?

32. What makes me really, really happy?

33. What makes me really, really sad?

34. I wonder how this started. If I had to guess, I’d say...

35. Why do leaders fail?

36. How will I recognize my boat when it comes?

37. Is this an opportunity or a distraction?

38. What’s the best thing that could happen right now?

39. If I could pivot away from what I’m doing right now and toward something else, what would that be?

40. If I’m leading something and I stop, what’s the first thing that the next leader would do that I have not been willing to do?

41. What is my plan for personal growth?

42. What am I doing that others aren’t willing to do?

43. What is my greatest asset or strength?

44. What is my greatest liability or weakness?

45. Who do I spend the most time with, and how are they influencing me?

46. What is my most worthwhile investment - time, relationships, or resources?

47. What small change could I make today that would lead to significant improvement?

48. What legacy do I want to leave?

49. What would I attempt if I knew I couldn’t fail?

50. Am I willing to pay the price for my vision?

51. What could I do, that I would do, to make my life better?

52. What am I avoiding that I know I should confront?

53. What would my life look like if it were better than it is now?

54. What might my life look like if I took full responsibility for everything I could control?

55. What lies am I telling myself, and how are they affecting my life?

56. What habits or behaviors are keeping me from reaching my potential?

57. How can I act with the highest integrity in every decision I make?

58. Am I leading by example in both my public and private lives?

59. What am I doing to ensure unity and strength among those I serve?

60. How can I prioritize the needs of those I serve over my personal interests?

61. What steps can I take to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead?

62. Am I maintaining discipline and self-control in all areas of my life?

63. What am I learning from others and adjusting my course when necessary?

64. What good can I do today?

65. How can I improve myself and my habits to live more freely?

66. Am I spending my time wisely on pursuits that truly matter?

67. What am I doing to contribute to the well-being of my community?

68. Have I spoken truthfully and kindly to others today?

69. What knowledge or skill can I acquire to make myself more useful?

70. Am I keeping my temper and emotions in check when faced with challenges?

71. How can I turn my mistakes into lessons for personal growth?

72. Have I fulfilled my duties and promises with diligence and integrity?

73. Am I living in alignment with my principles and values? What are they?

74. How can I push myself beyond my comfort zone to grow as a person?

75. What am I doing to stay physically and mentally strong?

76. What am I doing to stay spiritually and emotionally strong?

77. What am I doing today that will help me be financially strong in ten years?

78. Am I surrounding myself with people who inspire and challenge me? Who are they, and how do they challenge me?

79. How can I approach life with curiosity?

80. How can I use discipline to create the life I want?

81. How am I fully present and appreciating the moment I’m in?

82. What am I learning from the struggles and failures I face?

83. Am I pursuing what truly excites and fulfills me?

84. Am I thinking big enough to achieve extraordinary results? How can I think even bigger?

85. How can I turn this challenge into a winning opportunity?

86. Am I surrounding myself with the best people to help me succeed?

87. What bold actions can I take today to get ahead?

88. Am I staying focused on my goals and not getting distracted by negativity?

89. How can I leverage my strengths to create greater success?

90. How can I make today a win for everyone involved?

91. Am I staying confident and determined, even when others doubt me?

92. Am I playing every day, growing in my craft, and enjoying the pleasure of creating?

93. Am I pouring my heart and soul into every time I play music?

94. How can I make my music connect deeply with people’s emotions?

95. Am I staying true to my unique style and artistic vision?

96. What can I do to keep evolving and pushing creative boundaries?

97. Am I surrounding myself with collaborators who inspire and elevate me?

98. How can I bring more joy and energy to the world through my work?

99. Am I balancing my dedication to music with taking care of myself?

100. How can I keep inspiring others to dream big and chase their passions?

101. How can I cultivate more balance and well-being in my life?

102. What steps can I take to foster deeper connections with those I love?

103. Am I exploring new ideas and practices that could enhance my quality of life?

104. How can I use my platform to encourage positive change in the world?

105. Am I embracing vulnerability as a source of strength and growth?

106. What am I doing to nurture my creativity and curiosity?

107. Am I giving myself permission to grow and let go of what no longer serves me?

108. What is one way I can be more intentional and present in everything I do?

109. Am I showing up authentically and allowing myself to be seen as I truly am?

110. How can I embrace vulnerability today, even if it feels uncomfortable?

111. Am I cultivating meaningful connections by being open and empathetic?

112. What stories am I telling myself, and are they serving me or holding me back?

113. Am I practicing self-compassion when I make mistakes or fall short?

114. How can I lean into courage instead of retreating into fear?

115. What am I doing to create an environment of trust and belonging around me?

116. How can I turn my struggles into opportunities for growth and resilience?

117. Am I allowing myself to rest and recharge without guilt?

118. What is one thing that, if you changed it, would give you greater influence?

119. How do I cultivate resilience and a growth mindset?

120. Am I creating environments where everyone feels safe, valued, and inspired to grow?

121. What limiting beliefs or habits must I overcome to lead myself more effectively?

122. Am I walking like I know I’m loved?

123. Lord, who do You say that I am?

-Dave Helmuth
Author of the Five Faders and Founder of Ad Lib Music

My Favorite Questions (Nº 460)