The Powerful Questions Bishop Oyedepo Teaches Us to Ask Before 2026 Begins

If you never ask the right questions, you will never arrive at the right answers.

Questions shape outcomes. Without the courage to ask the right ones, you will never uncover pressing issues, explore untapped potential, or chart new paths forward. Many people remain trapped in cycles of defeat and mediocrity, not because they lack talent or opportunity, but because they never pause to ask the questions that provoke change.

Bishop David Oyedepo has mastered the art of asking the right questions, questions that have propelled him forward, stretched boundaries, and set the pace in ministry, education, and leadership. As you prepare for the new year, here are three powerful types of questions that can redefine your direction and results.

1. Ask Limit-Breaking “Why” Questions

Every breakthrough begins with curiosity and a desire for change. Start with why.

• Why can’t things be better?

• Why am I stuck?

• Why am I not progressing in my career?

In one branch of ministry that failed to grow despite years of effort, Bishop Oyedepo had the courage to ask, “Why is this church not growing?” The answer he received was direct: “My presence is not there.” That single question exposed the root cause and unlocked a turning point.

Many people avoid asking “why” because they are afraid of the answers. Yet those answers, however uncomfortable, are often the keys to transformation. Why is the relationship not working? It could be the wrong partnership, or it could be your own attitude. Why are you not being promoted at work? It may have nothing to do with race, background, or qualifications, but rather competence, communication, or consistency.

“Why” questions force us to confront assumptions. They dig beneath symptoms and expose root causes. Before setting new goals for 2026, ask why you succeeded—or failed—in the goals you set previously.

In business, declining sales should prompt the question: “Why are customers not buying?” The answer may reveal that your product no longer meets the needs of customers, and you need to innovate.

2. Ask Forward-Looking “How Do We Go from Here?” Questions

There is a subtle but powerful difference between these two questions:

• How did we get here?

• How do we go from here?

The first anchors you in the past; the second propels you into the future. While reflection has value, progress demands forward movement.

Bishop Oyedepo stated at Oral Roberts University that "it can happen anywhere." When establishing Covenant University, he focused on the question, "How could a university in Africa gain significant global relevance?" instead of dwelling on all the reasons it might not be possible. That question led him to study several world-class universities, adopting their strengths while avoiding their shortcomings. The focus shifted from why it can’t work to how to make it work.

This same mindset has fueled innovation across industries. Airbnb asked, “How do we create a sense of belonging for travelers?” that question birthed a user-first platform that transformed the travel and hospitality industry.

3. Ask Possibility-Driven “What If?” Questions

“What if” questions stretch imagination and challenge perceived limits.

• What if I tried and succeeded?

• What if I started that business and it took off?

• What if the risk paid off?

• What if I took that exam and finally passed?

Life presents countless reasons to hesitate—economic uncertainty, political instability, social pressure—but “what if” questions inject hope where fear once dominated. Too often, people ask, “What if it fails?” Rarely do they ask, “What if it succeeds?”

Despite formidable odds, Bishop Oyedepo has consistently asked what if it works, silencing the noise of doubt. Those close to him often remark that failure seems foreign to his thinking because his questions are framed around possibility, not limitation.

Tesla asked a bold question: “What if electric vehicles could outperform traditional cars in speed, design, and desirability?” That single question redefined success in the automotive industry and set a new global standard.

Conclusion

The quality of your life, leadership, and legacy is deeply connected to the quality of the questions you ask. As you step into the new year, don’t rush to set goals without first asking the questions that will shape them. The right questions may be uncomfortable, but they are often the doorway to your next breakthrough.

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