Today two long-time friends – Roger and Bob – are coming into town. We’ve known each other for around thirty years. I talk with Roger a few times a week and with Bob a bit less, but usually weekly. For the last ten years we’ve been intentional about getting together for a few days once or twice a year. Much of that time is spent laughing and eating. We usually play golf. We also are very intentional about checking in. The following questions guide our conversation. We go so far as to type us answers and distribute them in advance. We push, we pray, we confess sin – it’s life-giving.
Relationship with God:
- On a scale of 1 – 7, how would you rate your relationship with Christ right now?
- Are you trending positively or negatively?
- What has God been teaching you over the last year?
- How many days a week do you have some sort of private devotional time?
- On a scale of 1 – 7, how would you rate those times?
Relationship with your Wife
- On a scale of 1 – 7, what would you give your marriage right now?
- What would your wife give it?
- What one or two things could you do to be a better husband?
- How often do you pray together?
Relationship with Children
- How is your relationship with each of your kids?
- How could it get better?
- What one thing can we pray for each of them?
Ministry:
- If you were to get the chance to speak to a million Christ-followers, what would you speak on? Why?
Work
- On a scale of 1 – 7, how much do you like your job?
- What do you like most and least about your job?
- How many more years do you believe you will do it?
- If you could change one thing about it what would it be?
Money:
- On a scale of 1 – 7, do you feel like you are being a good steward with all God has entrusted to you?
General Well Being
- What has been the high point and low point of your last year or so?
- What gives you energy/recharges your emotional batteries?
- What are your favorite recreational activities?
- What is draining you?
- Do you have any on-going / besetting sin in your life?
- Where do you need more accountability in your life?
- Do you get enough physical activity?
- What are you worrying about? Do you lose sleep over it? How often?
- What are one or two things that you would like to start doing or do more consistently?
Relationships:
- Which relationships are most stressful for you right now?
- Do you have any / enough relationships that aren’t stressful?
- Other than your spouse, parents and children, who has had the biggest impact on your life?
- Who has had the biggest impact on you in the last ten years?
Reading:
- What books have you read recently?
- What books have made the biggest impact on your life?
Miscellany
- How might we help you or pray for you over the next 90 days?
- What 3 things can you do in the next 90 days that would make the greatest impact in your life right now?
- What 3 measurable priorities do you want to accomplish in the next 90 days? Next 180?
- What are three things that you are thankful for?
Are you hiding anything we really should know about?
What is your biggest regret at the moment?