The wisdom of asking the right questions: Q&A with Dr. Lance Hawley

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by Hannah Diles 

What if the key to wisdom wasn’t just in finding the right answers, but in asking the right questions? Dr. Lance Hawley believes that wisdom is cultivated through learning to ask good questions — both of ourselves and of others. By thoughtfully examining our lives through the lens of who God is and how we respond to Him, we take steps toward true understanding.

In Walking with Wisdom: A Study of Proverbs, Hawley seeks to bridge the gap between theological wisdom and practical application. As a professor of Old Testament and wisdom literature at Harding School of Theology, he originally developed this study as church curriculum before expanding it into a twelve-lesson guide for both individual and group study. His book explores a wide range of topics from relationships and money to fostering a culture of wisdom.

A culture of wisdom is built from the outside in — shaped first by discourse and then by internal character formation. Wisdom isn’t gained in isolation; it grows through seeking wise counsel and engaging in meaningful conversations. Hawley suggests that one of the most effective ways to cultivate wisdom is by asking intentional, thought-provoking questions — not just to find answers, but to shape the way we think and live.


What challenges did you face in the research and writing process?

I love researching and writing. Writing is always hard, but what is most difficult for me is trying to construct good questions that are not objective but lead to good, healthy discussion. Writing projects are good for me because of the discipline it takes to complete them. They always lead me to research questions. There is a kind of a relationship between the two. If I'm writing, I enjoy the process of finding something, sifting through resources and being led to more good questions. I found that the more writing and research you do, the better you get at it. 

Sometimes the creative process is about the discipline of sitting down to nail down ideas and thoughts. In the same way, the hardest part about preaching is application. I love teaching Bible classes because then you can invite questions and discussion. With preaching, you have to tell people how you apply it. One of the most enjoyable parts is when you strike a really good conversational question. It takes creativity, patience and searching to find gold. 

What proverb or word of wisdom resonates with you most? 

I value so many of the proverbial sayings. One of my favorites is Proverbs 15:17, "Better is a portion of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred with it." I like it because it expresses the value of love over wealth. Wealth is not bad in Proverbs, but it is not the highest good. Some mischaracterize Proverbs as a book where people simply get what they deserve, but it is more nuanced than that. This proverb acknowledges that there are people who lack rich or expensive foods in a culture where meat was a sign of wealth but still have peace around their tables.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to learn how to ask good questions?

I think the goal should be to generate productive conversation. One should avoid asking purely objective or “yes or no” questions if the goal is to create dialogue. Sometimes simply asking a group studying the Bible, "What do you see or question in this text?" is good enough to generate study. One good way to get people talking is by asking them to share a story or a memory related to the topic. Another way is to ask what people observe in their everyday experiences. For example, one of the discussion questions in my book is, "It may be easy to identify folly in the public square (e.g., Facebook, X, 24-hour news stations), but where do you see wisdom in public spaces?" This is in the chapter on Proverbs 8 where Wisdom is personified and she calls out to people in the public square. Long story short, I am still learning to craft good questions!

What do you hope readers will take away from the study?

I hope that readers learn what Proverbs is about. My deepest hope is that they would actually grow and become more wise. As I developed my book content, I added discipleship prompts and exercises to foster real growth. It can be tempting to read only to understand, but not really grow in God and develop healthy disciplines of wisdom. Sometimes growth comes from writing out the Proverbs or praying through them — taking more steps of intentionality. 

I suggest things like interviewing as a way of growing in wisdom. When you see somebody who has expertise in living, whether that has to do with relationships or money or whatever it is, you  should seek to learn from that person. It takes intentionality and a desire to grow. 

Topics: Harding School of Theology Big Questions

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