{"id":464112,"date":"2025-12-29T12:31:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T17:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/growcurriculum.org\/go\/?p=464112"},"modified":"2026-02-09T08:19:52","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T13:19:52","slug":"how-to-write-great-discussion-questions-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/growcurriculum.org\/go\/how-to-write-great-discussion-questions-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Write Great Discussion Questions for Teenagers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever felt like your small group was on fast-forward? The teaching wraps up, you circle up with your students, and suddenly every question gets a one-word answer. Before you know it, you\u2019ve reached your final question\u2026 and you still have 20 minutes left in small group time.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever experienced the small group speed run, you\u2019re not alone. It happens to even the most experienced youth leaders. Sometimes it\u2019s because the topic feels unfamiliar. Sometimes nerves get in the way. And sometimes\u2014honestly\u2014it comes down to the questions we\u2019re asking.<\/p>\n

The right questions can completely change the feel of a small group. Thoughtful questions invite students into the conversation, help them engage with the topic, and create space for them to share their ideas, experiences, and doubts. Great questions don\u2019t rush the moment\u2014they help it unfold naturally.<\/p>\n

So how can we create discussion questions that help small group leaders feel confident and help teenagers stay engaged?<\/p>\n

It starts with knowing what to avoid\u2014and what to lean into.<\/p>\n

QUESTIONS TO AVOID<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

When you’re planning discussion questions, you\u2019ll want to write questions that are open-ended and leave room for students to share what they\u2019re thinking. But as we prepare, it\u2019s easy to fall into a few common traps, like:<\/p>\n