Scripture Study Goals

Skill: Help students decide which scripture study method to use by providing them with a variety of scripture study methods to consider.

scripture study

What is my initial understanding or ability? (Assessment):

Have you considered how many different methods there are to study scriptures? How many do you think your students are familiar with?

What is it and why is it important? (Define):

President Nelson said, “I suggest that you shape the style of your study to fit you” (Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000). When students choose a scripture study method that meets their individual needs, they are more likely to be motivated and excited to accomplish their scripture study goal and feel the power of studying the word of God in their lives. Teachers should not try to direct students to a specific scripture study method; rather, as they encourage students to set a personal study goal, they should help them evaluate which method would be best for them. One way this can be done is by providing students with a variety of scripture study methods to choose from. It can also be highly effective to invite students who have already discovered effective scripture study methods to share them with their classmates.

Who or what provides a good illustration of this? (Model):

As Brother Billings invites his students to begin pondering what their scripture study goals will be, he provides them with the document “Statements about Scripture Study Methods and Skills” (below). He gives his students five minutes to scan the document and read sections that stand out to them looking for things that they might want to try. After five minutes he asks the following questions:

• After reviewing this list, what methods do you think would be helpful for you to use right now?

• Are there any methods not listed here that you would like to try or continue with?

As students suggest things that are not listed on the handout, Brother Billings writes them on the board. After their discussion, he encourages his students to decide which method will be best for their scripture study goal and supports them in the goal they have set.

How can I practice using this skill or applying this principle? (Practice)

Review the “Statements about Scripture Study Methods and Skills” (below) resource page and create at least one question you can ask your students that will encourage them to identify a scripture study method that works for them.

Ponder or discuss:

How do you think students’ scripture study methods impact the way they learn from the scriptures?

How and when will I incorporate this?

Determine how you will provide your students with options of study methods and skills they can use. Decide on the question or questions you will use to help them identify the method that will best meet their needs. (You may want to consider using this in combination with other scripture goal-setting skills such as identifying blessings of scripture study, encouraging them to be prayerful in setting a scripture study goal, or deciding when and where to study, for example.)

Please note: Some students will be ready to decide during class which scripture study method they would like to use. Others may need to ponder and pray a little before they decide. It will be beneficial to periodically follow up with students and help accordingly.

Statements about Scripture Study Methods and Skills

Look for the Savior and His teachings.	“Second, I invite you to read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year. … As you prayerfully study, I promise that the heavens will open for you. The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation. As you read, I would encourage you to mark each verse that speaks of or refers to the Savior. Then, be intentional about talking of Christ, rejoicing in Christ, and preaching of Christ with your families and friends. You and they will be drawn closer to the Savior through this process. And changes, even miracles, will begin to happen” (Russell M. Nelson, “Sisters’ Participation in the Gathering of Israel,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 69–70). “When we respond to the Lord’s gentle invitation, ‘Learn of me,’ we become partakers of His divine power” (Thomas S. Monson, “Learn of Me,” Liahona, Mar. 2016, 6). “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:23).
Identify promised blessings that come from studying the scriptures.	“My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions” (Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62–63). “Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior. They can accelerate physical healing” (Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6). “I said unto them that it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction” (1 Nephi 15:24).
Help students decide which scripture study method or methods to use.	“Next, I suggest that you shape the style of your study to fit you. One way is to read a book of scripture from the first page to the last. This method gives good overall perspective. But other approaches also have merit. Attention to a particular topic or a specific theme, supplemented by use of cross-referencing footnotes and study guides, can help to switch on the light of doctrinal understanding” (Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000). “You should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you” (D. Todd Christofferson, “When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2004, 11). “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order” (Mosiah 4:27).
Liken the scriptures to your personal life.	“We begin with a determination to ‘liken all scriptures unto us … for our profit and learning’ [1 Nephi 19:23]. If we ‘press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, … [we] shall have eternal life’ [2 Nephi 31:20]. … As you ponder and pray about doctrinal principles, the Holy Ghost will speak to your mind and your heart [Doctrine and Covenants 8:2]. From events portrayed in the scriptures, new insights will come and principles relevant to your situation will distill upon your heart. You cultivate such revelatory experiences by living according to the light already given you and by searching the scriptures with pure motives—with real intent to ‘come unto Christ’ [Jacob 1:7]. As you do so, your confidence will ‘wax strong in the presence of God,’ and the Holy Ghost will be your constant companion [Doctrine and Covenants 121:45–46]” (Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000). “Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach. Learn the background and setting of the Master’s parables and the prophets’ admonitions. Study them as though each were speaking to you, for such is the truth” (Thomas S. Monson, “A Time to Choose,” Ensign, May 1995).
Establish a regular time to study the scriptures every day.	“Time for scripture study requires a schedule that will be honored. Otherwise, blessings that matter most will be at the mercy of things that matter least” (Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000). “Crash courses are not nearly so effective as the day-to-day reading and application of the scriptures in our lives” (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Your Best Self,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 68). “The only way you can be sure that a busy schedule doesn’t crowd out scripture study is to establish a regular time to study the scriptures. … When I am in situations where I break out of the pattern, it’s hard on me. Once you get used to regular scripture study, you miss it if you don’t have it. It’s like food—you have to have it. I know that I need the scriptures like I need food. I don’t miss a regular meal, and I don’t miss regular scripture study” (Henry B. Eyring, “A Discussion on Scripture Study,” Ensign or Liahona, July 2005, 24). “Verily I say, [you] should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [your] own free will” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27). “Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:124). Scriptures: Ten Minutes a Day (New Era, September 2017, pp. 26-29) Daily Bread: Pattern (Video 2:51)
Pray before, during, or after scripture study and ask Heavenly Father to teach you through the Holy Ghost. Pray to know what goals you should set for scripture study. Pray to be led to the answers you are seeking.	“Because truth given by revelation can only be understood by revelation, our studies need to be prayerful” (Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000). To receive revelation, we need to prepare ourselves. I have found in my personal scripture study that I should always pray before I read the scriptures. And then I’m patient. The Lord gives us revelation in His own time, in His own way, and according to His own will. So sometimes we just have to wait. There’s one other thing about personal revelation we should keep in mind: the Lord never shouts; He whispers (see Helaman 5:30). Some people think they’ve never received revelation because they’ve never heard a loud voice or seen an angel. But the Lord whispers. So when you seek revelation, listen for a whisper” (Dallin H. Oaks, “You Can Do This,” New Era, Apr. 2020, 13). “I do not know of a better way to always remember Him than to daily study the scriptures” (David A. Bednar, “Understanding the Importance of Scripture Study,” [Brigham Young University–Idaho devotional, Jan. 6, 1998], byui.edu). “When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures; for His words are spoken through His prophets. He will then teach us as we listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit” (Robert D. Hales, “Holy Scriptures: The Power of God unto Our Salvation,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2006, 26–27).
Ask questions and search the scriptures for answers to your gospel questions.	Why is Sunday a day of rest? What in my life is like this story? How does honoring my parents make a difference? “Achieving scriptural guidance is aided by posing pertinent questions [1 Nephi 10:19]. You might ask, ‘What principle can be learned from these teachings of the Lord?’” (Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000). “For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round” (1 Nephi 10:19).
Create a list of scriptures that have special meaning to you.	You could start with scripture mastery verses or some of your personal favorites that have inspired you in the past. Maybe you want to work on memorizing a few verses. As you read these special scriptures, try following the cross-references given at the bottom of the page and see where they lead you in your study.
Start a scripture journal.	When you read and ponder the scriptures, have your journal and a pen or pencil ready. You can copy down any verses of scriptures that inspire you, make notes about what you learn, or record any spiritual impressions. You can also write down ideas for future study.
Learn context.	“Learn the background and setting of the Master’s parables and the prophets’ admonitions” (Thomas S. Monson, “Be Your Best Self,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 68).
Start today!	However you choose to study the scriptures, your study will help strengthen your testimony and increase your understanding of the gospel. In other words, there is no one correct way to study the scriptures, so don’t be afraid to branch out and try some new approaches to the way you read.
Additional Resources	Russell M. Nelson, “Living by Scriptural Guidance,” Ensign, Nov. 2000 Henry B. Eyring, “A Discussion on Scripture Study,” Ensign or Liahona, July 2005, 22–26 D. Todd Christofferson, “The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 32–35 The Blessing of Scripture (Video 3:03) “Ten Scripture Study Tools,” Ensign, Sept. 2010, 31 Teachings of Latter-day Prophets on the Blessings of Scripture Study Richard G. Scott, “The Power of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 6–8