Scripture Study Skills & Methods

From the Gospel Teaching & Learning manual we read, "Teachers should consistently teach students the doctrines and principles behind daily personal scripture study. Teachers can also encourage each student to set aside time every day for personal scripture study...." (p. 20). But what if you are doing those very things in class each time you meet and still you are not seeing the desired results in your students? This can be frustrating, especially when you, as a teacher are finding absolute joy in your own personal study of the scriptures and just cannot quite help your students to do the same thing! The following thoughts may help.

I recently came across a video presentation found on the Mormon Channel (http://www.mormonchannel.org/) hosted by President Osguthorpe, the General Sunday School President, with his guest, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I encourage to you to refer to this website for the full broadcast, but the following clip of video might be sufficient for this thought, today (if this video does not appear, follow the following link: http://www.mormonchannel.org/teaching-no-greater-call/16 and watch the clip titled "Motivate"):

Ever thought about actually asking out students why the don't read the scriptures rather than showing them ten thousand quotes as to why they should read them, and then when they fail, again, at reading the scriptures, they feel doubly worse? 

What if you or I were sick, I mean really sick; what do we do? We go see a physician to receive a treatment in hopes to recover soon and get back to our daily routine, right? Well, what if you went to the physician to find out what the problem is (and perhaps you, as the patient already knew what the problem is), and the physician never asked you one question about what your health concerns are but heard you cough and told you all about the great treatments available for people suffering with a cough? What use would that information be to you? It might be helpful, but wouldn't it be nice if the physician asked you where it hurts, or what other symptoms are you suffering from besides a cough? 

How often do we give our students the answers without asking any of the right questions? Perhaps we need to better understand why our students are not reading the scriptures more often so we can administer the proper treatment. Bear in mind, however, "In their efforts to [help] their students, teachers should not try to take the place of parents or priesthood leaders or to become personal counselors to the students" (Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual, p. 14). As Jacob from the Book of Mormon taught, "O be wise" (Jacob 6:12) as you seek to help our students discover the scriptures for themselves. 

May I encourage each of you to review pages 20-23 of the Gospel Teaching & Learning Manual and find ways to help your students become more deeply motivated to read the scriptures. We cannot force our students, but in the words of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "...Sometimes we just need someone to look us in the eyes, take our hand, and say, 'You can do it now!'" ("You Can Do It Now!" Oct. 2013 General Conference). Prayerfully search for ways to help your students come to love the scriptures, ask the right probing questions to find out why they do not and then seek to administer the right treatment. The Lord will show you and I the way to assist them with this matter.