When we were kids, we asked around 300 questions every day. Think about that! Three hundred questions. You’ve probably seen this if you’ve ever spent time with a curious child—Why is the sky blue? Why can’t I touch the stove? What happens if I mix this with that? It’s relentless. But here’s the thing—there’s something amazing about that kind of curiosity.

Somewhere along the way, though, we lose it. As teenagers, that number drops to around 30 questions a day. And by the time we’re adults? We barely ask any questions at all. Why? Because the world has trained us to value answers over questions.

The systems around us—schools, workplaces, even society—don’t reward curiosity. They reward correctness. We’re told to have the right answer, do things the right way, and move on. Mistakes are something to be avoided, not explored. But what if we’re missing something huge?

What Jesus Knew About Curiosity

Jesus understood the power of curiosity and the world that would zap it from us. That’s why He said in Matthew 18:3, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

He wasn’t telling us to act like kids. He was calling us back to a childlike spirit—a spirit of wonder, humility, and relentless curiosity. Jesus knew the world would train it out of us, but He was saying, Don’t let it happen. Stay curious. Martin Copenhagen wrote a great book on Jesus curiosity, I highly recommend it. Jesus is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered.

Curiosity That Changed the World

History shows us how curiosity—true, childlike curiosity—can change everything. Let me share two quick stories.

1. Wilson Greatbatch and the Pacemaker

In 1956, Greatbatch accidentally connected the wrong wires while working on a heart rhythm recorder. Now, most people would’ve tossed it and started over. Not Wilson. He got curious. He noticed that the circuit emitted a rhythm like a heartbeat. That mistake led to the invention of the pacemaker, which has saved millions of lives.

2. George de Mestral and Velcro

In 1941, de Mestral went hiking and came back covered in burrs. Most of us would’ve thrown them away and moved on. But George? He got curious. He studied the burrs under a microscope, figured out how they clung to fabric, and invented Velcro.

These men didn’t rush past their mistakes. They paused, asked questions, and followed their curiosity. And because of that, they changed the world.

What Have You Tossed Aside?

Here’s where it gets personal.

How many mistakes have I tossed aside? How many ideas have I thrown away because they didn’t work the first time? What have I rushed past that might have been the next big idea?

Let me ask you the same thing.

What failure have you written off? What obstacle have you avoided instead of exploring? What moment have you dismissed that might’ve been a gift in disguise?

How Your Brain Works Against Curiosity

The reason this is so hard is because of how our brains are wired. Our brains love answers. They crave certainty. Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself—means that the more we focus on correctness, the more we train our minds to shut out curiosity.

1. We’re Rewarded for Being Right:

When we have the “right” answer, our brains release dopamine. It feels good, so we seek more of it.

2. We Fear Being Wrong:

Mistakes trigger the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, making us avoid risks and new ideas.

3. We Love Efficiency:

Questions take time. Answers let us move on. The brain prefers closure over exploration.

How to Rewire for Curiosity

Here’s the good news: just as our brains can be wired to prioritize answers, they can be rewired to favor curiosity. Here’s how:

1. Pause Before Moving On:

• When something doesn’t go as planned, don’t rush to discard it. Ask: What else could this mean?

2. Celebrate Questions, Not Just Answers:

• In your workplace, at home, or in your faith, start valuing great questions. A thoughtful “Why?” is often more powerful than the “right” answer.

3. Revisit What You’ve Tossed Aside:

• What’s something you’ve thrown away that deserves a second look?

4. Create Safety for Curiosity:

• If you lead others, build a culture where mistakes are opportunities, not failures. Make it safe to ask questions without fear of judgment.

The Cost of Lost Questions

Imagine this: In the span of 50 years there will be 6.6 million unasked questions in pent up curiosity.

What questions have we silenced? What opportunities have we missed because we didn’t stop to wonder?

Final Thoughts

Jesus calls us to childlike curiosity because He knows it leads to growth, purpose, and connection. History shows us that some of the greatest breakthroughs come not from knowing the answers but from asking better questions.

So, here’s my challenge for you—and for me:

Let’s pause. Let’s wonder. Let’s ask the questions we’ve been too busy or too afraid to ask.

Because the next big idea? The breakthrough that changes everything? It might just be in the thing you almost tossed aside.

Stay curious. Stay humble. And never stop making it count.

What’s one question you’ve been holding back? Share it below—I’m curious!