Doctrinal Mastery: 2 Timothy 3:15–17

“The Holy Scriptures … Are Able to Make Thee Wise unto Salvation”

A young man sits on his bed and reads the scriptures. He is dressed in a blue suit and reading in Spanish.

Regular scripture study can bless your life in many ways, including helping you navigate many challenges of the last days. This lesson can help you memorize the doctrinal mastery reference and key scripture phrase for 2 Timothy 3:15–17, explain the doctrine, and apply principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in a real-life situation.

Role playing. Role playing can help students gain valuable experience explaining gospel truths and better understand how they could act in real-life situations.

Student preparation: Invite students to think about any challenges that prevent them from studying the scriptures daily. Encourage them to think of ways the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge could help them overcome their obstacles.

Possible Learning Activities

This doctrinal mastery passage lesson is designed to be taught after the lesson “2 Timothy 3,” which is the contextual lesson for the doctrinal mastery passage 2 Timothy 3:15–17. If this doctrinal mastery passage lesson needs to be moved to a different week, be sure to teach the corresponding contextual lesson during that week as well.

Memorize and explain

Draw a picture of an open book of scriptures that fills most or all of a piece of paper. At the top of your drawing, write 2 Timothy 3:15–17. Inside your drawing, write the key scripture phrase The holy scriptures … are able to make thee wise unto salvation. Cover the phrase with something and write it again from memory. Check for accuracy and repeat the exercise several times until you have filled up your drawing.

After students have drawn their pictures, consider dividing students into pairs and invite them to take turns writing the key scripture phrase.

In the previous lesson you learned that as we study the scriptures, we can gain wisdom that will lead us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Read 2 Timothy 3:15–17 again, looking for evidence of this principle, as well as other blessings we can receive from scripture study.

Consider dividing students into small groups so they can role-play the following scenario. Try moving around the room to hear how the “missionaries” teach the “investigator.” Consider asking afterwards what students felt was easy or difficult about the experience.

Imagine you are a missionary teaching a young woman named Suravi. Suravi has been receptive to the message of the Restoration but has been hesitant to read scripture passages you and your companion have suggested. During a visit, you ask Suravi what has been keeping her from reading the scriptures. She replies that she doesn’t enjoy reading the scriptures and finds them boring.

Using 2 Timothy 3:15–17, write a response explaining the blessings and benefits of scripture study in a way that might motivate Suravi. If possible, consider adding personal experiences and testimony as part of your response.

Practice application

If you had to summarize the three principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge in one sentence each, what would you say?

If necessary, spend a few minutes reviewing paragraphs 5–12 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document (2022).

Consider inviting a student to randomly choose and read aloud one of the summary sentences from any of the three principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge. Ask the class to identify which principle the sentence relates to. Repeat this activity several times. 

Even if we know and understand the blessings of scripture study, it can sometimes be difficult to do it regularly and effectively.

What are some challenges that can make it difficult to study the scriptures regularly and effectively?

Consider writing students’ answers on the board.

During the following activity, consider offering a silent prayer for your students that they will be open to promptings of the Spirit to be able to use the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge for themselves.

Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help you identify one or two obstacles that prevent you from studying the scriptures regularly and effectively. (If you do not face any obstacles, think of obstacles that a friend or family member may face.)

Write down at least three ways you might use the principles of acquiring spiritual knowledge to help you overcome these obstacles. The following questions and ideas may help.

Consider writing the following three questions on the board.

You might also invite students to think about how frequent and sincere scripture study may affect their eternal progress. They could consider any positive experiences they have already had and what eternal truths they learned from those experiences.

How can you examine obstacles to your scripture study with an eternal perspective?
How might the truths in 2 Timothy 3:15–17 help you have an eternal perspective when you are struggling with scripture study?
How can you seek further understanding through divinely appointed sources?

The following are some ideas:

Find passages about scripture study in the Guide to the Scriptures or the Topical Guide, available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, looking for blessings and promises that may help with your obstacle. Scriptures like Joshua 1:8; 2 Nephi 32:3; and Doctrine and Covenants 1:37 may be useful.
Ask someone you trust why they study their scriptures daily and how they recommend you might overcome your obstacle.
Look up statements by General Authorities or articles in Church magazines that may help. For example, the following statement may help someone who struggles to find time for scripture study.

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!

(Richard G. Scott, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2014, 93)

Take a few minutes to start on one of your ideas.

How could you act in faith to overcome obstacles to effective daily scripture study? List several ideas in your study journal.

After sufficient time, invite several students to share a highlight of their experience during this lesson. Remind them that most, if not all, of us face obstacles to effective daily scripture study, and sharing their thoughts, insights, and experiences may help others in the class. Share personal thoughts and testimony as well.

Doctrinal mastery review 

During an upcoming lesson, spend a few minutes reviewing the scripture reference and key scripture phrase for this doctrinal mastery passage using the same memorization activity from earlier in this lesson.

Supplemental Learning Activities

Divinely appointed sources

As students are thinking about how to seek help through divinely appointed sources, consider inviting a student to search the internet to see how many “self-help” books are currently available. They will likely see tens of thousands of options. Consider asking questions like the following:

Why do you think there are so many self-help books in the world?
How can the scriptures be a powerful source of help and guidance for our lives?

Invite students to cross-reference 2 Timothy 3:15–17 with Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, and ask students what they think the Lord meant by “the best books.” Consider reminding students that there are many valuable resources in the world to help us develop wisdom and overcome challenges. Invite students to review paragraphs 5–12 in the “Acquiring Spiritual Knowledge” section of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document and to identify words or phrases that highlight the holy scriptures as an essential source of wisdom and knowledge for their lives.

An example of acting in faith

Consider asking students what they could do to act in faith if they struggle to understand the scriptures. After students share their thoughts, consider adding some or all the following examples.

Pray for understanding before studying.
Read chapter headings to get an overview.
Practice seeking to understand scriptures in church and in seminary by asking teachers questions.
Occasionally read with someone you trust, such as a parent, who could help explain scriptures to you.
Use manuals available in the Gospel Library app or on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, such as the Seminary Student Manual.