Scripture study is something we need to be doing daily for our spiritual growth. However, so many things can get in the way. With all of your responsibilities such as work, taking care of your home, family, and church callings, sometimes scripture study ends up on the back burner. You don’t want it to be this way. It’s just that when you sit down to study, there might be a lot of distractions, or you’re struggling with understanding the scriptures. That’s okay, and totally normal, but we can help you make your study more meaningful. Here are the three best ways to study the scriptures.
1. In a Quiet Place
Where and when are you doing your scripture study? Are you sitting in your living room with the TV on? Maybe your family is needing you to help them with things, so you get interrupted a lot. This can be frustrating, and it can really take away from your study. Of course, you have to do what you can, and if this is the only way you’re getting study in, keep doing it. However, if you have the option, it might be time to try something else.
If you can find a quiet secluded place to study your scriptures, it will make a huge difference! So, if you can, consider getting up a little earlier than your other family members, and do scripture study then. Don’t have the TV on, and if you listen to music, make sure it’s uplifting instrumental music. Say a prayer to start too.
Cutting back on distractions so you can read more effectively and listen to the promptings of the spirit can make all the difference in the world.
2. With a Study Guide
Alright, maybe you went to all four years of seminary, have taught Gospel Doctrine, and prepared lessons for investigators as a missionary. While these things can be difficult to do, you were able to do them with a little extra work, and something they all have in common–a study guide. While you may not have realized that you were using a study guide, most likely, you were. In seminary, there are manuals and teaching schedules that help keep you on track and point out key highlights of what you’re studying. When you teach Gospel Doctrine, there has always been a manual or now there’s Come Follow Me. If you taught as a missionary, your study guide and teaching guide was Preach My Gospel.
There’s a reason that the church uses manuals and study guides that essentially align with the youth ministry curriculum to teach. It tends to help you to stay on track, points out key highlights of the reading, and provides a jumping-off point for discussions and lessons. So, maybe what you need for your personal scripture study is a study guide. A Seagull Book scripture study guide will help guide you through your personal study. It will make it more meaningful and help you to stay focused, not miss key takeaways, and it’ll help you grow spiritually.
3. Study a Specific Topic
Sometimes, people study the scriptures by reading them cover to cover like a novel. There’s nothing wrong with this approach, but if you’re looking for a way to stay more engaged with your scripture study, consider choosing an individual topic to study. If you choose a topic to study rather than just reading the scriptures cover to cover, you might be able to gain some new insights or personal revelation. Use the topical guide to find related scriptures and journal what you find, so you can review your notes as you study different topics. Selecting keywords or topics can help you gain more spiritual insights when you do read the scriptures, cover to cover or teach lessons, in the future.
Studying the scriptures daily is so rewarding. Just be sure to find what way of studying works best for you, since one thing doesn’t work for everyone.