Questions are powerful.

Garry Poole, 2012 ChristianMingle Advisory Board Member and previous, key Evangelism leader at Willow Creek Community Church, stresses that it is asking the right questions that will truly peel back the layers of another person, revealing their true self.

Questions are tools that lead to understanding, and; therefore, create the landscape to build a meaningful relationship — be it a friendship, dating or marriage relationship.

Garry has written many books and valuable resources for pastors in the area of Evangelism. In Garry’s award-winning book, Seeker Small Groups, he provides a detailed outline for sparking meaningful small group discussions that that assist spiritual seekers with investigating Christianity.

 In another one of Garry’s books, The Complete Book of Questions: 1,001 Conversation Starters for Any Occasion, he arranges questions from “light and easy” to “tough,” touching on topics such as, family, hobbies, natural abilities and the last time you locked yourself out of the house (haven’t we all done that?!).

Chances are that if you are on ChristianMingle, you are seeking to date with integrity and have a desire to meet likeminded Christians. Online dating provides a valuable platform to thoughtfully ask the most important questions prior to meeting someone offline. But, what are some of these key questions?

While there are so many questions that can reveal a person’s likes, dislikes, character and personality, there are some specific questions the will help answer one of the biggest, early questions in online dating:  Should I pursue a dating relationship with this person offline?

Garry Poole shares three of the questions from his book that will quickly reveal someone’s spiritual life:

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the depth of your relationship with Jesus Christ?  Why? (1 = I do not care about my relationship or have a relationship with Christ; 5 = the point of salvation, or new Christian, and 10 = very strong, committed relationship with Christ)

2. What is your definition of what it means to be a Christian?

3. If you could ask God one question, what would you ask Him?

Ask yourself these questions and consider your own answers. Do you really know what you believe? Would you want to date you?

As a Christian, the most important relationship you will ever have is your relationship with God. As you seek to make meaningful connections online, consider these and Garry’s other 998 questions. Have fun with them! But, remember to ask some of the tough questions early — they are truly the most important.