5 P's of Scripture Study - What Works for Me

I meant to post this in September of 2015, but apparently, I forgot about it in my drafts.  Oops!!

A number of months ago, I was asked to talk to the young women in my ward and give them tips and ideas for making their scripture study more effective.  I might have stressed just a little bit about it, but I think that my point came across and I know at least a couple of the girls were motivated to start reading and studying their scriptures, so I'll call that a success!

So, here are Wendy's 5 P's of Scripture Study

1. Priority
Scripture study doesn't happen by accident.  It takes making a conscious decision to start.

Elder Bednar has said "We make time for what really matters.  We all have all the time there is.  So if we don't pray and study the scriptures, we just didn't think it was important.  Something else was more important."

My biggest tip here is to find something that motivates you.  Unfortunately, I can't tell you what that is for you.  For me, it is colored pencils, pens and markers, a new notebook and stickers and post-its. I love the idea of using new pens and markers to highlight and write ideas.  Maybe your motivation is to study before allowing yourself to turn on electronics.  It could be a new set of scriptures, or maybe a special treat for studying so many days in a row.  Whatever it is, figure it out and make it work for you.

2. Prepare & Pray
Remove distractions.  You cannot study and feel the spirit if you are listening to music that does not invite the spirit.  You will not learn and grow if you read the scriptures while watching television. You will gain greater insights if you are not answering texts or checking your social media accounts every couple of minutes.  Turn off the music and the television and put your phone in another room.

Gather supplies.  Before you sit down to study, gather everything you think you will need including your scriptures, reference materials (Personal Progress book, Preach My Gospel, True to the Faith, etc...), marking pens and pencils.  Whatever you plan to use to study, gather it before you start.

Create a routine.  Try to set up a specific time and place that you will always study.  Creating a habit will help you be consistent and you will already have what you need to get started.

What method of study will you use?

• Chapter to chapter study
• Topic study
• Study based on Personal Progress/Preach My Gospel
• Studying lesson materials beforehand

Once you've removed distractions, gathered your supplies, and decided what to study, say a prayer.  Ask Heavenly Father to help you understand what you are reading.  Ask to have your mind and heart open to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Our Heavenly Father did not send us down here to figure this all out on our own.  He has and will provide every opportunity for our growth and understanding. However, he will not force us to do anything.  He will never take away our agency.  Therefore, we must be the ones to ask for help to understand his words and his doctrine.  The way we do this is through sincere prayer and then acting on our prayer by studying.

 3 Nephi 18:20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

2 Nephi 32:4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

3. Piece it Out
Look up definitions of words you don't understand and then substitute the word and read it again.
Look up and read the footnotes.
Look up other scriptures having to do with the same topic.
Search lds.org for the scripture and read talks that have referenced the scripture.

When studying, I suggest the following method but use whatever works for you.

First, read through the entire section you are going to read that day.  Quickly highlighting verses or passages that stand out to you.

Some people like to use certain colors to represent different gospel topics.  If that works for you, do it.  Unfortunately, I find that too rigid.  I prefer to highlight ideas or topics that go together in one color and use a different color for another topic, idea or thought.  I try not to duplicate colors on the same page unless the passages are related.  These colors are completely random and change daily. 

Now go back and further mark key words, verses or passages in further detail.  I do this several different ways.

• circling or boxing around words in a color and then writing, in the same color, the definition or a thought about that word in the margins.
• put a circle or box around the verse number to signify importance.
• draw arrows to direct attention.
• putting brackets [  ]  or parenthesis (  ) around phrases, again writing in the same color in the margins.
• underlining words and phrases that you already highlighted to distinguish them as key phrases to the whole idea that you highlighted in the first place.
• draw lines across pages or verses to connect ideas or to draw patterns and parallels.
• watch for list or steps and number them in your scriptures.
• write page titles.
• draw a squiggly line under key-words or phrases to set those apart from your highlighting or other marks.
• draw lines down the sides of sections of verses that all tie together.

Ask yourself questions while you are reading.

• What is ________?
• How do I get ____________?
• What are the blessings/consequences of __________?
• Why is this important?
• What can I learn from __________'s experience?

If you are having difficulty understanding a subject, thought or idea, try this exercise.  

1. Get a blank piece of paper and write the subject, thought or idea at the top. 
2. Next, separate the page into five columns.
3. Ask yourself: What does ________ look like?  Write your ideas in the 1st column
4. Ask yourself: What does ________ feel like, emotionally? Write your ideas in the 2nd column
5. Ask yourself: What does ________ feel like, spiritually?  Write your ideas in the 3rd column
6. Ask yourself: What does ________ sound like?  Write your ideas in the 4th column
7. Ask yourself: What are the results (fruits) of ________?  Write your ideas in the 5th column

4. Ponder & Practice
The most important thing about reading and studying the scriptures is what the spirit whispers to you while you're reading.  Write down these thoughts and feelings even if they don't seem clear right then. Most often connections will be made and your thoughts will become more clear the more you study and understand.

• write in your scriptures
• create a blog and write about your thoughts and what you're studying
• use LDS gospel library notes and tags and marking tools
• teach what you are learning to someone else - FHE or a church lesson or to a friend

Watch for opportunities in everyday life that tie back to what you are reading.

• How can I change my thoughts and actions based on what I am reading?
• How does this apply to me and in what ways can I apply these teachings in my life?

5. Patience & Persistence
We are looking for spiritual nutrition, not mind candy or scriptural carb overload.  The difference between reading the scriptures and studying is taking time to ponder and think about what you are reading.  It also means trying to apply what you are reading to your own life.  Real understanding usually doesn't come when trying to cover multiple chapters in one session.

Anything worth having requires effort on our part.  It also takes time, so be patient with yourself and keep at it!  If you get distracted, recommit yourself and start again.

One of the hardest steps is getting started or knowing where to start.  My advice to youth who are having a hard time knowing how to begin a study habit is to look to the materials already compiled for them.  These topic-based study guides can be found within:

• Come Follow Me lesson outlines
• Personal Progress or Duty to God experiences
• Preach My Gospel

So, what do you do when you feel stuck on a topic?  What if you don't feel excited about what you're studying? Or you don't feel like you are gaining understanding?

The great thing about the gospel is there are many things to study and learn about.  If you are bored or a certain topic, choose another to study for a while.  You can always come back to the other topic at a later time.  Perhaps going away from the topic for a time will give you understanding in another area that will relate back to the previous topic.

If you do feel stuck, use the resources available to you.

• Search lds.org.  Sure it seems like a no-brainer, but a talk, scripture, song or video may guide you to ideas and thoughts that will help.
• Ask a trusted parent, a Young Men or Young Women leader, a Sunday School teacher, or a member of the bishopric.
• Above all, continue studying and praying for understanding.  The further light and knowledge you seek will come!

A word of caution!  I have to stress not using Google when looking for help.  There are so many 'wolves in sheep's clothing" websites out there.  Sites that appear to support the teachings of the church when, in reality, they only raise issues or concerns about doctrines, teachings and church leaders.  Be wise with where you get information and who is giving it to you.