CARELIFE Fact-Gathering
LIFE & Your Personal Relationship Skills
Part 4 of 5
What is Fact-Gathering?
Fact-Gathering means to collect information in order to determine the specific details of a particular situation.
Beyond the wording of the definition given above, what do you think fact-gathering is?
Look up the word “fact” in a dictionary. See if you can discover a deeper meaning in
relation to problem solving. What would a fact be in this case?
How would you begin to gather information relating to a particular problem?
It’s important, before you begin trying to solve a problem, to consider what it is you are trying to solve!
Think about a doctor who is about to begin treating a patient’s illness… it is essential that he has some knowledge of the overall condition of the patient before offering any medications or treatments. If he fails to do this he may misdiagnose the condition and perhaps do great harm that cannot easily, or otherwise, be reversed.
Read the Bible verses below and think about their meaning in relation to the areas
of fact-gathering, and problem solving.
He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 18:13 (NKJV)
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord… Isaiah 1: 18
Some ways to begin gathering facts to assist the process of problem solving:
1. Obtain permission before asking any personal questions.
You might say: “Do you mind if I ask you something?”
Do you consider that it is important to ask someone’s permission
before probing into their personal life?
2. Ask questions that might be helpful in shedding some light on the problem(s).
Be tactful when examining closely people’s lives.
Like expensive glassware, that is often fragile, and can be broken easily.
Handle With Care.
Think of some examples that illustrate ways in which you could ask questions
without creating difficulties for the person you’re trying to help.
3. Offer feedback to make sure you accurately understand the situation.
4. Restate the problem (in your own words).
Be certain, as much as possible, that you and the person you’re trying to help understand what has been stated, in exactly the same way.
What can happen to the lines of communication if you, and/or, the person you want to help, don’t have the same understanding about the problems being discussed?
Put forth the best efforts to avoid misunderstandings that can lead to additional problems.
This article was written by Chris Teske for VisdaPoint.com
The materials you have been studying in this series can lead to good communication skills,
and yet there is still more to be understood.
In part 5 of this 5 part series we will be discussing how to put all of this information to work in order to try to solve problems. Use the following link to CARELife Empowering to see this study.
In order to learn more about developing better Christian relationships we have included an article entitled Perceptions, which we believe you may find helpful. If you have not read this the following Perceptions link will take you to it.
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