Ideas for Effective
Scripture Study
| FEAST UPON THE WORD |
Scripture study blesses us with knowledge and
faith. It opens our hearts and minds to the promptings of the Spirit. But
sometimes, circumstances aren’t ideal for studying the scriptures. Here are
some ideas that can help you make time for the scriptures—and even make that
time the most enjoyable part of your day.
• Make a commitment to start studying the scriptures.
Write your commitment on a piece of paper and post it someplace where you will
see it often.
• If you don’t yet have your own copies of the scriptures,
set a goal to get them. Maybe you could ask for them as a birthday or Christmas
gift, or work to earn the money to buy them. In the meantime, borrow a set of
the scriptures from your meetinghouse library or from a friend.
• Keep a pencil handy while you are studying. In the
margins of your personal scriptures, or in a notebook, neatly write your
observations about the verses you are reading.
• Try to find a quiet
place where you can study at the same time every day. Your situation may not be
ideal, but do what you can to make the best of it.
• Read your scriptures daily for a set amount
of time, and try to read when you’re alert.
• If you have trouble
reading consistently at first, don’t get discouraged and quit! Be patient. It
gets easier to study every day, and soon you will have developed the habit.
• Start where you
are. If you can study for only a few minutes, start with that and work toward a
longer period of time.
• Study when it is best for you. Some people
like to get up early and start with scripture reading; others prefer to do it
before going to bed. The important thing is to find a time when you will be
able to study EVERY DAY.
• Read the chapter summary at the beginning
of each chapter. It helps to stay focused on what you’re reading if you have a
general idea of what’s going to happen.
• After you understand a difficult concept, teach it to
someone else. That helps them learn, and it helps you remember.
•
Mark your scriptures with pencil or something that won’t show through on the
other side. Writing with something erasable is a good idea too.
• Participate in family home evening. You might even
offer to help teach the lessons once in a while.
•
Each time you read, find something to ponder.
• Write on sticky notes. These give you room
to put your thoughts next to certain scriptures, but you can take them off or
move them later.
• Keep a scripture journal. Write down thoughts and ideas
you have on each chapter or set of chapters you read. Record your inspiration
and what you learn as you read.
• Look for patterns in the scriptures. For instance, you
might want to mark every reference to the Savior’s life or every reference
about service.
• Focus on a specific topic and cross-reference verses on
that topic. Look at how verses in the Bible relate to verses in the Book of
Mormon. You’ll always find new things in the scriptures as you look at them in
new ways.
• Read several passages on any given gospel principle.
Read conference talks by General Authorities on the same principle and find
similarities.
• Once you have gained a testimony of the scriptures,
write your testimony in the front of a Book of Mormon and share it with a
friend.
•
You could color code your markings. You could use one color for references to
the Savior; select another color for scriptures on repentance, and so on.
•
Scripture chains link from one scripture to another on the same topic and can
help you pick out themes in the scriptures. For example, to study obedience,
see 1 Nephi 2:20; then read 1 Nephi 4:14; 2 Nephi 4:4; and Jarom 1:9.
Write the reference of the next scripture beside each scripture as you go
along.
•
As you go through the Bible, circle the numbers of the verses that have Joseph
Smith Translations, then circle the corresponding JST note at the bottom of the
page. The next time you read the Bible, you’ll already know where all the JSTs
are.
•
Use the tools provided for you in the Latter-day Saint edition of the
scriptures: Topical Guide, Bible Dictionary, maps, footnotes, Index, and
Pronouncing Guide.
•
Finally, remember that no matter what system you use to study your scriptures,
it is the Holy Spirit who brings us light and understanding. Remember to pray
for His guidance as you study.
Creative Scripture Study Ideas
• Read a lot of chapters quickly. This will
help you get the big picture of what is going on.
• Make the stories come alive by acting them
out with your family.
• Make a list of the main characters you are
reading about and some things you learn about each of them. You could draw
pictures of what you think they might have looked like.
• Organize a family scripture chase. Learn
one another’s favorite scriptures, and then race to look them up. Have each
person tell why that scripture is their favorite once you’ve looked it up.
• Tack a scripture of the week to your wall
or mirror or, each Sunday, pick a new scripture and write it on an index card
to look at throughout the week.
BLESSINGS
OF READING THE SCRIPTURES
“Without reservation I promise you that if
each of you will observe this simple program [of scripture study], regardless
of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will
come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the
Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a
stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (Gordon B Hinckley)
“You will find that as you write down
precious impressions, often more will come. Also, the knowledge you gain will
be available throughout your life. Always, day or night, wherever you are,
whatever you are doing, seek to recognize and respond to the direction of the
Spirit. Express gratitude for the help received and obey it. This practice will
reinforce your capacity to learn by the Spirit. It will permit the Lord to
guide your life and to enrich the use of every other capacity latent in your
being.” (“To Acquire Knowledge and the Strength to Use It Wisely,” Ensign, June 2002, 32–34.)
“As you read of the life and teaching of the
Lord Jesus Christ, you will draw closer to Him who is the author of our
salvation” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Rise to the Stature of the Divine within You,”
Ensign, Nov.
1989, 97).
“When individual members and families immerse
themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, … other areas of
activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be
strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow” (Ezra
Taft Benson, “The Power of the Word,” Ensign,
May 1986, 81).
“Let us not treat lightly the great things we
have received from the hand of the Lord! His word is one of the most valuable
gifts He has given us. I urge you to recommit yourselves to a study of the
scriptures. Immerse yourselves in them daily so you will have the power of the
Spirit to attend you in your callings. Read them in your families and teach
your children to love and treasure them” (Ezra Taft Benson, “The Power of the
Word,” Ensign,
May 1986, 82).
“I think that people who study the scriptures
get a dimension to their life that nobody else gets and that can’t be gained in
any way except by studying the scriptures. There’s an increase in faith and a
desire to do what’s right and a feeling of inspiration and understanding that
comes to people who study the gospel—meaning particularly the Standard
Works—and who ponder the principles, that can’t come in any other way” (Bruce
R. McConkie, in Church News,
24 Jan. 1976, 4).
“I challenge every Latter-day Saint to come
to a knowledge and an understanding of the scriptures. These sacred books are
our bulwark of defense against a cunning adversary” (Marvin J. Ashton, in
Conference Report, Oct. 1977, 110; or Ensign,
Nov. 1977, 73).
“I promise you that daily family prayer and
scripture study will build within the walls of your home a security and bonding
that will enrich your lives and prepare your families to meet the challenges of
today and the eternities to come” (L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, Apr.
1993, 113; or Ensign,
May 1993, 92).
I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents
will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves
and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate
our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase;
mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of
contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and
wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their
parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of
Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy,
and happiness. … (Marion G. Romney, “The Book of Mormon,” Ensign, Aug
2005, 8–11)
I promise you that if you will read the words
of that writing which we call scripture, there will come into your heart an
understanding and a warmth that will be pleasing to experience. Improvement Era, June 1966, 531)
We can also promise that reading the Book of
Mormon will bring power to resist temptation or produce feelings of love within
our families. President Benson said it this way, and the promise is sure:
“There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the
moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to
resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find
the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the
words of life’ (see D&C 84:85),
and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin
to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and
greater abundance. These promises—increased love and harmony in the home,
greater respect between parent and child, increased spirituality and
righteousness—these are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph
Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God” (The
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 54).
“My brethren and sisters, if we will study
the scriptures, the plan of life and salvation, keeping the commandments of the
Lord, all the promises that have been made will be fulfilled upon our heads.
And we will grow and increase in light, knowledge and intelligence” (Gospel
Standards, comp. G. Homer Durham [1941], 43).
“I promise you that if you will read the
words of that writing which we call scripture, there will come into your heart
an understanding and a warmth that will be pleasing to experience. ‘Search the
scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of me.’ (John 5:39.)”
(Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 572).
I am grateful for emphasis on reading the
scriptures. I hope that for you this will become something far more enjoyable
than a duty; that, rather, it will become a love affair with the word of God. I
promise you that as you read, your minds will be enlightened and your spirits
will be lifted. At first it may seem tedious, but that will change into a
wondrous experience with thoughts and words of things divine. (Gordon B.
Hinckley, “The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, 99)
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