Week 2: Individual Study

Lesson Outline:

Individual Study

Our Goal is to seek the companionship of the Spirit to enjoy a "Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"


At the end of our discussion class members will be able to:

  • Identify ways that they may learn the gospel at home
    • Prayer and Fasting
    • Reading Scriptures and General Conference Addresses
    • Pondering (Mindfulness)
    • Planning to Share
  • Via:
    • Church Edition of the Scriptures
    • Come, Follow Me Manual
    • Gospel Library Resources
    • Other Resources

Our purpose is to balance the Church and the home experiences in a way that will greatly increase faith and spirituality and deepen conversion
  • Elder Quentin L. Cook: Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
    • "The most important goal and ultimate blessing of deep and lasting conversion is worthily receiving the covenants and ordinances of the covenant pathway."
  • Silent Walks: The Power of Stillness
  • Elder Dallin H. Oaks: Scripture Reading and Revelation, Ensign January 1995
  • Scripture Study—The Power of the Word (Institute Teacher Manual)
    • "We have continuing revelation in our church because the scriptures do not have a specific answer to every possible question. We say that the scriptures contain the answers to every question because the scriptures can lead us to every answer. They, the scriptures will put us in a position where we can obtain inspiration to answer any doctrinal or personal question whether or not that question directly concerns the subject we're studying in the scriptures."
Class Notes/Suggestions from Session 3
  • "I study five seconds a day" - nice rejoinder to boasts in a quorum meeting has been remembered for years afterwards - just getting a little each day and maybe it’ll turn into more. 
  • Context matters - Hugh Nibley articles and other resources give insights into the story behind the scriptures
  • Focus on two to three verses for an "in-depth" study
  • Check core beliefs and make sure they're correct
  • Get into the habit, good way to start each day
  • Chapter a day - don’t try to understand or learn everything. Write down what I’m learning.
  • Use paper scriptures so I don’t get distracted. Leave scriptures open so it helps motivate reading first thing. Helps bring spirit in by keeping scriptures open
  • Intuitive and organic scripture study - let it happen naturally 
  • 😀"I'm so used to taking medication that my first impulse is to swallow this timer...."
  • Ask, seek, knock (ASK) - "No message appears in scripture more times, in more ways than, “Ask, and ye shall receive.”  If what we study doesn’t change us, what’s the point? 
  • Such a good feeling when prioritizing scripture reading - finished the Book of Mormon reading within 3-4 months.
  • 😁"I’m not the one who created law of opposition, I just fulfill it." 
  • I like looking for patterns in the scriptures. Only read a few verses at a time, mark and look back.
  • Very regimented and habit-driven. Trying to be more free flowing, slow down instead of plowing through. See new things.
  • For me, setting a goal to read scriptures turns it into a chore. I try to change that perception to something I want to do.
  • Just trying to keep my kids alive, so I get up a little early to read. But my 5-yo started getting up with me. At first I was mad, but now it’s a beautiful experience. 
  • I can’t sit on the sofa with all the books out, I use the gospel library app, listen through the day.
  • I highlight and add notes to keep spiritual thoughts with little drawings on cards, glue the note into the pages. 
  • Trying to get scriptures to soak in instead of glance off. Temple, scriptures, class - intentionally soak in it
  • Scripture study is about relationship with HG, can happen in a minute or an hour - when I can feel the “magic” happen I can do whatever I need to do. 
  • Tired of falling asleep when studying, so I started reading first thing until I was hungry. 
  • Go through Come, Follow Me lesson and read the scriptures first before podcasts
  • Get on my knees to pray before I begin studying. Use physical scriptures.
  • Letting go of its an “all or nothing”. Put it on my phone while doing chores. Even if my mind wanders I’ll get something.
  • Religion professor did a different method each time he taught the five classes I took. Now I think, “What would be a good question to ask the class?” Even though I’m not teaching.
  • Pray always. I think of those who weren’t allowed to pray, so they prayed in their fields and flocks. Ponder. There’s not enough quiet in the world. Trying to do better to pray and listen.
  • Power of Stillness, Nibley, etc- all can be helpful. Ultimately for us, the scriptures are (can be) our own Urim and Thummim. God knows how we learn best, and it’s individual.

Class Notes/Suggestions from Session 1
  • Gospel study can be focused on helping a child prepare for baptism
  • When Nephi was building the boat the Lord did "show [him] from time to time" - Revelation can come to us in a similar manner, "time to time"
  • A father struggling to manage medicines set an example by asking for help in prayer
  • The different authors/voices in the Scriptures present unique ways of bearing testimony
  • The Spirit speaks to us to know how to apply the Scriptures in unique situations
  • We don't have to endure to the end, we get to endure to the end (e.g  we have the privilege of choosing to endure to the end)
  • Alma 5 is "Alma's test" - committing to his test allows us to endure the test of time
  • Daily scripture study is an invitation to daily repentance "metanoeo"
  • Scripture notes/annotations leave a legacy of faith and dedication to our posterity
  • General Conference addresses are truly Scripture for our day.
  • Revelation changes our approach to life and is the bases for testimony
  • Even "imperfect" daily study will grant us the gift of PEACE 
  • Fasting and prayer can lead us to answers in the scriptures - the fulfillment of the answer may take time
  • The scriptures can be a means for God to communicate to us "Tomorrow come I into the world..."
  • We benefit from a deliberate, mindful approach to study
    • Intention and Action
    • Reading out loud
    • Study & Ponder
  • Trying a new approach may open new understanding "the Inexhaustible [Scriptures]"
  • One can listen and pray (converse) with God while doing mundane daily tasks like driving
  • The word is like a lamp to us - studying amplifies that light
  • Alma (the younger) was converted by the Holy Spirit as a result of much fasting and prayer
  • The answer to prayers about what to do may be revealed by reading the scriptures
  • Alma 37:37 teaches us to Counsel with - or seek the advice of the Lord
  • Can we "sing the song of Redeeming Love"?
  • Journaling or recording the blessings/revelation we receive can lead to more revelation
  • The Scriptures draw us to Christ

Resources:





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