A question my sister asked me gave me the idea for this post. I decided maybe some of you may be struggling with exactly how to study the scriptures. I encourage you to try many different ways to find the way(s) that works best for you. How you study may also depend on where you are in life and what you are dealing with at the time.
My husband loves to study by subject. He'll pick a topic that he or someone he knows is struggling with or has questions about and then look up scriptures about that topic. This usually doesn't work very well for me. I like to read stories, and then concentrate on what I can learn from that story and how it applies to my life. Neither way is wrong or better, they are just different depending on your interests and your current life situations.
Pray before and after. Pray for help knowing how and what to study. Pray for impressions and then pay attention to how you feel. Remember, you may not have a big spiritual experience or even have words come into your mind (although that just might happen). It just might be how you feel that matters. It may take some practice and some time before really figuring out how to listen to the Spirit and how the Spirit talks to you while studying. Be patient.
It definitely helps to write things down as you study. Underline,
circle, write in margins, etc. Color code if you want. Keep a journal to
write down ideas and impressions.
Use all four standard works. It's really interesting to see
how they all tie together. You can also use other church books. The four
books in the missionary library are great study tools (Jesus the
Christ, Our Search for Happiness, True to the Faith, and Our Heritage).
Use Preach My Gospel to help you study. Chapter 3 (the lessons) and chapter 6 (Christlike attributes) as well as other areas can give you ideas of subjects to study about. Chapter 2 is all about helping you study and preparing to teach people. Here's the online version in case you don't have a copy of Preach My Gospel.
http://www.lds.org/languages/additionalmanuals/preachgospel/PreachMyGospel___04_02_HowDoIStudy__36617_eng_004.pdf
Actually, if you don't have a copy of Preach My Gospel, stop reading this right now and GO GET ONE! Even if you don't plan on serving a mission and you're just reading this for curiosity or for someone else. Go get one! Now!
Anyways, continuing on.
One thing I want to mention: If you find that you are like me and like to read the stories rather than look up subjects, take some time to learn how to study by subjects too. Studying this way will probably come in handy as a missionary.
Here are some other ideas I have found:
The following ideas are from "A discussion on scripture study" with Elder Henry B. Eyring:
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2005/07/a-discussion-on-scripture-study?lang=eng
- Go to the scriptures with a question
Ex: What would God have me do? What would He have me feel?
- Write down any answers you feel you receive while reading the scriptures
- Color code
- Write answers in the front of your scriptures
- Go to the scriptures to learn what to do in a crisis
Ex: When losing a child or spouse, look in the scriptures for specific help
- Set a regular time and place to read the scriptures
- Go to the scriptures humbly and eagerly, asking and willing to be taught
- Don't make it "a duty" or something you have to do. Enjoy the scriptures!
- Listen to the Spirit
- Make the scriptures a part of you
The following ideas are from "Getting the Most out of your Scripture Study" by David B. Marsh
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2009/02/getting-the-most-out-of-your-scripture-study?lang=eng
- Don't worry about having "perfect" scripture study sessions. You may not get wonderful spiritual experiences right away, but don't give up! Keep trying and it will come.
- Feel free to use a variety of ways to study the scriptures. There is no one right way to study the scriptures.
- Read cover to cover
- Search for answers to personal questions or challenges
- Study topics listed in the Topical Guide or Guide to the Scriptures
- Research how the Lord uses specific words throughout the scriptures
- Mark phrases, underline words, write notes in the margins
- Learn the Greek, Hebrew, or dictionary definitions of spiritual words
- Verify something you learned in church on Sunday
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