Chapter 24: Use ‘Look for’ Skills

“Chapter 24: Use ‘Look for’ Skills,” Teaching the Gospel: A CES Training Resource for Teaching Improvement (2000), 82–88

“Chapter 24,” Teaching the Gospel, 82–88

Use “Look for” Skills

Note: You may want to teach lesson 26, “Take a Broader Perspective,” after this lesson since the content of the lessons is closely related.

Principles to Emphasize

Use “Look for” Skills

“An important skill of scripture study is analysis—to look for relationships and meaning. Such ‘look for’ skills are important during scripture study” (Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook, 32).

Analysis Can Reveal Principles and Is Part of the Spirit of Inquiry

“One of the more effective scripture teaching skills is to send students into a block of scripture looking for specific things. It is part of the spirit of inquiry that the Lord has counseled his children to have” (Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook, 32).

Suggested Training Activities: Use “Look for” Skills

(30 minutes)

Handbook

Explain to teachers that “look for” skills can be used in both scripture study and scripture teaching. Invite teachers to read the first paragraph of the section entitled “Use ‘Look for’ Skills” (handbook, 32). Ask:

What are “look for” skills? (see handbook, 32).
How do they relate to scripture study? to scripture teaching?
How can looking for relationships and meaning affect your study of the scriptures?
What is the value of having students look for specific things as they read? (see handbook, 32).

Explain to teachers that the purpose of having students look for specific things in the scriptures is to help them discover the principles the scriptures teach.

Review with teachers the bulleted list of “things to look for” on pages 32–33 of the handbook. Have teachers identify which items they are looking for in their scripture study and which items they are encouraging their students to look for. Ask: How does sending students “into a block of scripture looking for specific things” foster a “spirit of inquiry” in them? (Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook, 32).

❖ Video

Distribute handout 20. Briefly explain the categories in the “Things to ‘Look for’ in the Scriptures” column. Before showing presentation 25, “Use ‘Look for’ Skills” (9:57), explain that the video shows Sister Thomas inviting her students to use “look for” skills as she teaches Malachi 3. Ask teachers to note how she invites her students to look for:

Questions asked in the scriptures
Scriptural lists
Difficult words and phrases
Imagery and symbols

Following the video, ask teachers:

How did Sister Thomas encourage her students to use “look for” skills?
How did this help her students understand the relationships and meaning in Malachi 3?

❖ Group Work

Separate teachers into small groups of four or fewer. Distribute handout 21. Invite the groups to review Doctrine and Covenants 122 looking for examples of the four categories on the handout. Invite the groups to share their discoveries with the in-service group. Ask several groups to demonstrate how they would conduct a “look for” activity for the items they found. Following the demonstrations, ask teachers to summarize what they learned from this training activity.

Suggested Training Activities: Analysis Can Reveal Principles and Is Part of the Spirit of Inquiry

(20 minutes)

Note: The following activities (except the application activity) may be taught here or as part of lesson 26, “Take a Broader Perspective.”

Scripture Activity

Read together Doctrine and Covenants 42:12. Ask teachers: What are the “teachers of this church” to teach?

❖ Quotation

Distribute handout 22 and read together the statement by President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Invite teachers to look for and underline President Packer’s definition of a principle.

Principles Guide Us in Making Decisions

“A principle is an enduring truth, a law, a rule you can adopt to guide you in making decisions. Generally principles are not spelled out in detail. That leaves you free to find your way with an enduring truth, a principle, as your anchor” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1996, 22; or Ensign, May 1996, 17).

Ask teachers:

What is a principle?
Why are principles so valuable?

❖ Quotation

Read together from handout 22 the following statement by Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Separate Principles from Detail

“As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully separate them from the detail used to explain them. Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1993, 117; or Ensign, Nov. 1993, 86).

Ask teachers: Why is it important for us to search for principles in the scriptures and “separate them from the detail used to explain them”?

Explain to teachers that one way to “organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle” is to create “if-then” statements. Throughout the scriptures, the Lord counsels that if we live a principle, then we will receive the promised blessing for our obedience. Demonstrate how to create an if-then statement by writing the following on the board: If __________, then __________. In the first blank write we pay our tithes and offerings. In the second blank write the Lord will bless us both spiritually and temporally. Invite teachers to suggest a few other examples of if-then statements that describe principles taught in the scriptures.

❖ Quotation

Read together from handout 22 the following statement by President Harold B. Lee. Explain that President Lee’s statement demonstrates how to use if-then statements to teach gospel principles.

If You Would Receive the Blessing, Then Obey the Commandment

“Listen to some of the Lord’s beacon lights pointing the way to safety.

“If you would have the windows of heaven opened and have blessings poured out ‘that there should not be room enough to receive’ them, then ‘bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house,’ as the Lord commanded through His prophet Malachi. (Malachi 3:10.)

“If you would keep yourself and your own ‘unspotted from the world,’ the Lord said you should ‘go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.’ (D&C 59:9.)

“In other words, keep the Sabbath day holy!

“If you would qualify so that in times of trouble you could call and the Lord would answer, that you could cry and the Lord would say, ‘Here I am,’ the Lord gave the way through His prophet Isaiah: You must observe the fast day of the Lord and deal out ‘thy bread to the hungry … that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh.’ (Isaiah 58:9, 7.)

“If you would escape from the devastations when God’s judgments descend upon the wicked, as in the days of the children of Israel, you must remember and do what the Lord commands: ‘… all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings’—meaning keep His great law of health, known as the Word of Wisdom—and in addition thereto walk ‘in obedience to the commandments,’ which would include honesty, moral purity, together with all the laws of the celestial kingdom, then ‘the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them.’ (D&C 89:18, 21.)” (Stand Ye in Holy Places [1974], 23–24).

Remind teachers that principles are not always taught or written as if-then statements. However, by following the counsel of Elder Richard G. Scott (in the previous quotation from handout 22) and separating gospel principles from the detail used to explain them, teachers and students can usually find an if-then relationship.

❖ Group Work

Separate teachers into small groups. Have them return to handout 21. Ask the groups to read Doctrine and Covenants 122 and carefully separate the principles from the detail used to explain them (the “detail” is already listed on the chart from a previous training activity). Have teachers organize the truth into simple statements of principle by creating if-then statements. Invite the groups to share their statements of principle with the in-service group and describe how each principle can help guide students in their decisions.

✰ Application

Invite teachers to write their answers to the following question:

As I teach, how can I encourage the use of “look for” skills to “help students learn how to read and study the scriptures for themselves so that the students can feel the Spirit teaching them the important truths of the gospel”? (Teaching the Gospel: A Handbook, 32).

Invite teachers to use “look for” skills in their scripture study and in their scripture teaching in an upcoming lesson. Have teachers share their experience of applying what they have learned (with a colleague or in the next in-service meeting).

Handout 20

Things to “Look for” in the Scriptures	How to Recognize These Things	Examples from the Scriptures
Gospel principles illustrated by the lives of people	Look for clues to an enduring truth, law, or rule that we can learn from a person’s obedience or disobedience to counsel from the Lord. Complete the sentence “From this person we learn that ____.”	From Esther we learn that the courageous efforts of just one righteous person can greatly affect the lives of many others (see Esther 1–7). From Nephi we learn that the Lord prepares a way for us to obey His commandments (see 1 Nephi 3:4–7; 4:17). From King Noah’s son Limhi we learn that we can be righteous despite the wickedness of our fathers (see Mosiah 11:1–15; 19:1–17). From James Covill we learn that when we make covenants with the Lord, Satan may “straightway” tempt us with “fear of persecution and the cares of the world” (D&C 39:7–8; 40).
Questions asked in the scriptures	Look for question marks.	“How long halt ye between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15). “Have ye inquired of the Lord?” (1 Nephi 15:8). “What meaneth the rod of iron which our father saw, that led to the tree?” (1 Nephi 15:23).
Scriptural lists	Look for commas, enumerations, or repeated words that introduce items in a list (for example “thou shalt” in the list known as the Ten Commandments).	“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image” (Exodus 20:3–4). “These six things doth the Lord hate” (Proverbs 6:16; see vv. 17–19). “In the last days … men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents” (2 Timothy 3:1–2). “And faith, hope, charity and love” (D&C 4:5).
Definitions of words or concepts	Look for phrases such as “in other words” and “being interpreted” or for “be” verbs (is, are, was, were, etc.).	“A Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world” (1 Nephi 10:4). “Rabbanah, which is, being interpreted, powerful or great king” (Alma 18:13). “Charity is the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). “And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come” (D&C 93:24).
Difficult words or phrases students might have trouble understanding	Look for uncommon or archaic words, words that communicate complex ideas, and unfamiliar expressions. Note the OR, IE, GR, and HEB explanations in the footnotes of the LDS edition of the King James Bible.	“An help meet” (Genesis 2:18; see footnote b). “Make away” (Daniel 11:44; see footnote a). “Privily” (Acts 16:37; see footnote a). “Fetched a compass” (Acts 28:13; see footnote a).
Imagery and symbols	To find metaphors, look for “be” verbs (is, are, was, were, and so on) that link one subject, event, person, or idea with another subject, event, person, or idea.	“Ye are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13). “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35).
	To find similes, look for instances of two dissimilar things being compared using words such as like or as.	“For behold, they had hardened their hearts against him, that they had become like unto a flint” (2 Nephi 5:21). “The people had turned from their righteousness, like the dog to his vomit, or like the sow to her wallowing in the mire” (3 Nephi 7:8).
Prophetic commentary on a principle or event	Look for the inspired writer’s reflections, conclusions, or clarifications about an event or principle. Look for words or phrases such as thus we see, therefore, wherefore, notwithstanding, and thus.	“Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only” (2 Kings 17:18). “And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things” (1Nephi 16:29). “Wherefore, thy soul shall be blessed” (2 Nephi 2:3). “Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God” (Alma 46:8).
If-then relationships	Look for the word if (or inasmuch as, when, that, however, for), and the word then (or so shall, therefore, because). Often the if-then relationship is merely implied.	“If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain” (Leviticus 26:3–4). “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy” (1Peter 4:13). “Inasmuch as those whom the Lord God shall bring out of the land of Jerusalem shall keep his commandments, they shall prosper upon the face of this land” (2 Nephi 1:9). “Whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit” (D&C 5:16).
Qualities or characteristics that please or displease God	Look for words that describe whether the Lord is pleased or displeased with a quality or characteristic (hate, not well pleased, well pleased, etc.).	“These six things doth the Lord hate” (Proverbs 6:16; see also vv. 17–19). “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). “But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths” (D&C 60:2). “I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments” (D&C 124:1).
Patterns—series of events, characteristics, or behaviors that teach a gospel principle	Look for the repetition of key words or ideas in a scripture block.	“And God said. … And God saw. … And God called” (Genesis 1:3–5; see Genesis 1). “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:3–4; see vv. 5–11). “Could not understand … did not believe … did not believe … could not understand … would not be baptized … would not call upon the Lord” (Mosiah 26:1–4; see vv. 28–36; the word not is used fourteen times in these verses). “Having been such a highly favored people of the Lord; yea, after having been favored … Having been visited by the Spirit of God” (Alma 9:20–21; see vv. 22).

Handout 21

Instructions

Review Doctrine and Covenants 122 and look for examples of the four categories of “Things to ‘Look for’ in the Scriptures” listed below. Write your answers in the third column. Next, select one of the examples you discovered and, in the space provided at the bottom of the handout, describe how you might conduct a “look for” activity to help your students find that example. Be prepared to share your answers with the in-service group.

Things to “Look for” in the Scriptures	How to Recognize These Things	Examples from D&C 122
Questions asked in the scriptures	Look for question marks.
Scriptural lists	Look for commas, enumerations, or repeated words that introduce items in a list (for example “thou shalt” in the list known as the Ten Commandments).
Difficult words or phrases students might have trouble understanding	Look for uncommon or archaic words, words that communicate complex ideas, and unfamiliar expressions. Note the OR, IE, GR, and HEB explanations in the footnotes of the LDS edition of the King James Bible.
Imagery and symbols	To find metaphors, look for “be” verbs (is, am, are, were, etc.) that link one subject, event, person, or idea with another subject, event, person, or idea.
Imagery and symbols	To find similes, look for instances of two dissimilar things being compared using words such as like or as.

Describe how you might conduct a “look for” activity to help your students discover the example you chose.

Handout 22

Principles Guide Us in Making Decisions

President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said:

Separate Principles from Detail

Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

If You Would Receive the Blessing, Then Obey the Commandment

President Harold B. Lee said:

“Listen to some of the Lord’s beacon lights pointing the way to safety.

“If you would keep yourself and your own ‘unspotted from the world,’ the Lord said you should ‘go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.’ (D&C 59:9.)

“In other words, keep the Sabbath day holy!