Ask your friends WATER questions

January 7th, 2022
by Jim LaDoux

By Jim LaDoux

Build better friendships by learning something new about the people you encounter everyday. Use the WATER questions below at team meetings, family dinners, sport events, small group gatherings, as well as your online interactions. Consider selecting one of the questions below and then ask 3-5 people throughout the day the same question. Note what you've learned about these individuals that you didn't know beforehand.

W - WHERE you have lived

Where were you born? Where have you lived in since then?
Where did you go to school? College?
Where did you meet your spouse/partner?
Where are your ancestors from? When did they come to the USA?
Where have you worked in the past?

A - ACTIVITIES you enjoy or participate in

What kind of work did you do?
Where do you think you will be living 10 years from now?
What activities or hobbies do you enjoying doing in your free time?
What clubs or organizations have you been, or are you currently, involved in?
What teams do you typically watch or cheer on?
What activities are part of family gatherings?
What is one activity you'd like to take up or try on sometime in the future?
Of the activities you currently enjoy, which one would you like to invest more time in?

T - TRIPS & TRAVELS

What was one of your favorite family trips when growing up?
What trips are on your bucket list?
Where do you anticipate that you’ll be going on your next trip?
What have you learned about yourself and other people through your travels?
Do your travel plans tend to be spontaneous or very structured?
Describe one of the most unique experiences you've had while traveling.

E - EXPERIENCES

What have been some of the most memorable experiences in your life?
What experiences in life have shaped your life’s direction?
What experiences in your life have been most challenging?
In what ways have you grown from them?
What experiences have you had related to loss or grief?
What experiences have had the greatest impact on your faith?

R - RENEWING people, places, and practices

Which people in your life renew and energize you?
Who brings out God’s best in you?
What places or spaces are most renewing for you and why?
What practices or activities help you recharge your batteries?
What Sabbath moments have you built into your daily, weekly, and monthly routines?
What grounds you? What reminds you of what is most important in life?

QUESTIONS | APPLICATIONS

1. What is something new you've learned about a family member this week?
2. How curious are you about learning about and from other people?
3. How open are you about sharing with others what's most important to you?
4. Who are the 3 people you'd like to learn more about this week?

Posted in 5 | Deepen Connections
Posted in listening, friendships