Seminary
Doctrinal Mastery Review 17


Doctrinal Mastery Review 17

Understand and Explain

Young Men reading scriptures

One purpose of doctrinal mastery is to help you understand the Savior’s teachings contained in the doctrinal mastery passages and be able to explain them in your own words. This lesson will give you an opportunity to deepen your understanding of and explain truths about one or more of the doctrinal mastery passages from the New Testament.

Understanding the scriptures

  • Have you ever read a scripture—maybe even more than once—and found you were confused about what it meant?

  • How often do you feel this happens when you study the scriptures?

  • How do you react when this happens to you?

The Savior wants us to understand His words and will help us do so through the Holy Ghost. This requires effort on our part. In this lesson you will have the opportunity to learn scripture study skills that can help you understand various doctrinal mastery passages.

Scripture study skills

Briefly review each of the following doctrinal mastery passages and key scripture phrases.

Doctrinal Mastery Passage

Key Scripture Phrase

Doctrinal Mastery Passage

Ephesians 1:10

Key Scripture Phrase

“In the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”

Doctrinal Mastery Passage

Ephesians 2:19–20

Key Scripture Phrase

The Church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

Doctrinal Mastery Passage

2 Thessalonians 2:1–3

Key Scripture Phrase

“The day of Christ … shall not come, except there come a falling away first.”

Doctrinal Mastery Passage

2 Timothy 3:15–17

Key Scripture Phrase

“The holy scriptures … are able to make thee wise unto salvation.”

Choose one of the scripture passages you would like to better understand. Then choose one or more of the following scripture study skills to help you better understand that passage. Be prepared to explain your scripture to others.

If time permits, try using a different skill on one of the other passages.

Complete activity A, B, or C.

Activity A: Cross-reference

Utilize available resources to find other scripture passages that may help increase your understanding of the doctrinal mastery passage. Such resources might include the scripture footnotes, the Guide to the Scriptures, or the Topical Guide. Mark passages from these resources, and record in a study journal or the Gospel Library app how they help increase your understanding of your chosen doctrinal mastery passage.

Activity B: Define words and phrases

Find words in the doctrinal mastery passage that you do not understand. Search for definitions of those words or phrases in available resources, such as the Guide to the Scriptures, the Bible Dictionary, or a general dictionary. Record in a study journal, scripture margins, or the Gospel Library app the definitions you discovered, along with any new insights.

Activity C: Understanding context and content

Complete one or more of the following that would help with your doctrinal mastery passage:

  • Read about the epistle this passage comes from in the entry “ Pauline Epistles ” in Guide to the Scriptures or the Bible Dictionary.

  • How do the chapter heading or surrounding verses increase your understanding of the doctrinal mastery passage?

  • Who is the inspired author speaking to and why?

  • What is the main message of this scripture passage?

Record what you understand about the passage because of what you pondered.

Writing on a piece of paper with a pen or pencil. 1. Do the following activity:

Explain how the scripture study skill you used helped deepen your understanding of the Savior and the doctrine taught in the doctrinal mastery passage. Consider sharing your passage with a family member or friend.