“Magic questions” for training meetings

I like deep conversations: those that lead me to thought-provoking ideas or sincere exchanges, where time passes quickly and I leave transformed by these shared moments.

I’m also an introvert who prefers to avoid small talk. Moving from hellos and introductions to a generative space of meaningful connection is not one of my spiritual gifts. I often feel like I have a hard time coming up with topics and questions that will seem inviting to other people.

When I heard Priya Parker talk about “magic questions” in an episode of the NPR Life Kit podcastI became captivated by his idea. The “magic questions” seemed like springboards for a conversation that might be helpful to someone like me. They also seemed to be a promising tool for starting group discussions and building relationships in training settings with people of all ages.

In this article, I will describe Parker’s concept of “magic questions” and how this can be applied to training contexts. Next, I’ll share a list of magical questions for training meetings provided by members of the Forma Leadership Council and Lifelong Learning Team to spark engaging conversations in your contexts and inspire your own magical questions.

What are “magic questions”?

To be clear, “magical questions” are not about magic. In “The connecting power of “magic questions”Priya Parker defines a “magic question” as “a question asked of a group that everyone in that group would be interested in answering, and everyone is interested in hearing everyone’s answers” ​​(NPR Life Kit, May 13, 2025). So magic questions are:

• points of connection and intersection for each person as well as for the group
• tailored to who is present – ​​what might work as a magic question for one group of people might fail for another group

Parker cites some additional characteristics of this type of question: “A magic question is specific. It invites people not to give their opinion, generally, but to tell a story. A magic question also complicates the individual.” Magical questions create engaging spaces for those present to share parts of themselves with each other and to receive and be received by each other. They can be light or heavy, humorous or serious, intriguing or surprising.

Here are some examples offered by Parker in the podcast episode:

• “When was the last time you used glitter?“
• “What is your community’s favorite building?“
• “What path did you almost take but didn’t?“
• “When did you really decide to celebrate something or someone?“

Introduce “magic questions” into training

What draws me to magical issues for Christian formation is their capacity as a practice of hospitality. Formation can involve many elements and take shape in many ways, but it cannot go very far in a love-centered faith without hospitality. Creating space, inviting, and including are essential to formation, not only because people often need and appreciate welcoming and supportive environments to learn and grow in faith, but also because our faith calls us to these works of love with our neighbors.

Magical questions provide a way to extend hospitality to everyone who comes to a training meeting. The dimensions of these questions that bring hospitality to life include:

1. Generosity

Parker identifies facilitating magical questions as “a skill that anyone can learn, that anyone can practice, to start asking: What is this group actually interested in?” What interests individuals? and calls it “a profoundly generous thing to know how to do.” The invitation, according to Parker, is to think: “What is interesting about each of these people that you might be able to tap into, unlock, and help them share with the room?” Magical questions, opportunities for midwives to get to know each other better and share a moment of complicity, which is indeed a generous offer.

2. Equity

Parker also suggests developing questions that “even out” for people amid the various inequalities that come into the room with us. She recommends selecting inclusive questions: “What are some questions that everyone could answer…?” »

3. Respect all voices

Magical questions involve respecting and appreciating each person’s voice. Because the goal of these questions is to address a subject that everyone would want to talk about and to leave space for everyone to share, they give everyone present the opportunity to express themselves and be heard.

4. Value people’s experiences

Magical questions also position participants as people who come with experiences and wisdom to share that everyone present can benefit from. In this way, they value people’s experiences and stories as meaningful, not only to themselves, but also to others.

5. Open-heart approach

Instead of bringing people together through fear or shame, magical questions look for intersections in what people care about or in common interests and passions. This focus allows magical questions to cultivate an atmosphere conducive to open-hearted participation.

If you’d like to try some magical questions at your community’s training meetings, here are some questions that might help you get started. Many thanks to Forma Board of Directors And Lifelong learning team to create and share these questions.

1. Tell us a brief story about something you learned from someone else.
2. When was the last time you were truly surprised by something?
3. What could you talk about without preparation for more than an hour?
   –Sarah Bentley Allred
4. What can you get rid of today?
5. What would your communion be? What food and drink would you institute for your Last Supper?
   –Pattie Ames
6. How does it feel to be in nature?
7. What is your favorite sound?
8. How do you experience silence?
   -Kim Arakawa
9. Who is someone you admire? What about them, or what trait of their character are you trying to emulate?
10. What project are you most proud of?
    –Wallace Benton
11. What do you dream of for your community?
12. What do you do well enough to teach?
    -Chad Brinkman
13. If there was a movie about your life, which actor would you want to play?
14. If you could only listen to one song, every time you wanted to listen to music, for the rest of your life, what would it be?
    –Joshua Brown
15. What brings you joy today, this week or right now?
16. What would be the title of your dissertation?
    –Samantha Claire
17. What’s the ideal way to start your day?
    – Carolyn Crouch
18. Peak, Pits, Praise, Prayer: Offer one or more
    “Add any other ‘p’ word like ‘think’.”
    – Chris Fentress-Gannon
19. So what is your life like?
    – Patrick Kangrga
20. When was your first impression about someone completely wrong?
21. What is something difficult that you are proud to have accomplished or overcome?
22. What fascinates you?
    -Lisa Kimball
23. What was the best vacation you’ve ever taken?
    -Lindsey Lewis
24. What sets your heart on fire?
    – Estela Lopez
25. What is a story or movie that you have seen over and over again that reflects your deepest convictions and beliefs about real life?
    –Tricia Lyons
26. If you could be written into a story or book, what would it be?
27. When was the last time you felt wonder or awe?
28. Tell us about a time when you experienced contagious joy.
    -Cory Irwin
29. Tell us about the place you’ve traveled furthest from home.
30. Tell us about a gift you received that was particularly (or very) meaningful to you.
31. For an adult audience: Is there a hobby or interest that you have developed in your recent life that you never thought you would enjoy when you were younger?
32. Tell us about your favorite smell. When was the last time you could smell it?
33. Tell us about a smell that evokes a strong memory for you. What is it and what does it remind you of?
    -Jenni Ovenstone
34. Do you prefer. . . ?
    “Because [these questions] insert playfulness and imagination, build community and lead to deeper conversations.
    – Carmen Piggins and Missy Morain
35. Which of your toes do you identify with spiritually?
    – Teal MacKenzie
36. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?
37. What (or someone) in your life brings out the best in you?
    – Jodi Belcher

What “magic questions” can you ask for training spaces and meetings? Share your ideas in the comments below!

The image shown is of Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash