31382, The Presidents of the Church, 31: The Scriptures Can Be Enjoyable, Objective, 152
Class members will learn that scripture study can be enjoyable when we liken the scriptures to ourselves.
1. Obtain copies of the Doctrine and Covenants and Book of Mormon for each class member.
2. Make a poster or write the following on the chalkboard: 3 Keys for Making the Scriptures Enjoyable.
3. Make the following poster keys or prepare to draw them on the chalkboard:
3 Keys for Making the Scriptures Enjoyable
Key 1
2 Nephi 32:3
Key 2
1 Nephi 19:23
Key 3
Moroni 10:4-5 and D&C 18:35-36
5. Preview the statements for the scripture chase activity.
6. Bring a set of keys to class.
Demonstration and discussion
* Hold up the set of real keys and ask: What might these keys be used for? (Accept any reasonable answer. Answers might include: to lock doors, open doors, start cars, or motorcycles, etc.)
Posters or chalkboard
Today we are going to look at three keys that will make the scriptures more meaningful and more enjoyable. (Display the poster or write on the chalkboard: 3 Keys for Making the Scriptures Enjoyable [see the sample chalkboard illustration at the end of the lesson to see how the final chalkboard may look].)
Attach or draw Key 1 on the chalkboard. Then have the class members look up and read the scripture reference listed below Key 1.
3 Keys for Making the Scriptures Enjoyable
Key 1
2 Nephi 32:3
Discussion and chalkboard
* What is Key 1? ("Study or 'feast' upon the scriptures." Write the answer beneath or to the side of Key 1.)
* What is the difference between reading and studying the scriptures? (When we study the scriptures, we make a concentrated attempt to understand the scriptures. We have a good idea of what the words on the page mean and what story or doctrine is being taught.)
Poster or chalkboard
Attach or draw Key 2 on the chalkboard.
3 Keys for Making the Scriptures Enjoyable
Key 1
2 Nephi 32:3
Study or "feast" upon the scriptures
Key 2
1 Nephi 19:23
Discussion and chalkboard
* What is Key 2? ("Liken all scriptures unto us." Write this beneath or to the side of Key 2.)
* What does it mean to "liken all scriptures unto us"? (Accept any reasonable answer, and emphasize that it includes drawing parallels between ourselves and the scriptures.)
A good way to "Liken the Scriptures" to ourselves is to make a habit of asking ourselves questions like these (give copies of the handout to the class and then read it to them).
Emphasize the following point:
Even though we "Liken the Scriptures" to ourselves, it doesn't change our circumstances. We still have to put the principles into practice. Unused knowledge never has the power to change lives.
Poster or chalkboard
Attach or draw Key 3 on the chalkboard.
3 Keys for Making the Scriptures Enjoyable
Key 1
2 Nephi 32:3
Study or "feast" upon the scriptures
Key 2
1 Nephi 19:23
"Liken all scriptures unto us."
Key 3
Moroni 10:4-5 and D&C 18:35-36
Discussion and chalkboard
* What is Key 3? ("We can know by the Spirit-the power of the Holy Ghost-that the scriptures are true." Put the answer on the chalkboard by the key.)
Testimony
Bear your testimony to the fact that these three keys work and that the scriptures become enjoyable when they become meaningful to us. Emphasize the fact that the scriptures have the power to change lives.
Activity
Move quickly to the application portion of the lesson and the scripture chase. Divide the class into two equal teams. Then write the following scripture references on the chalkboard as illustrated at the end of the lesson.
Go over each reference with your class members. As you read each reference, write the key words to each scripture on the board.
1 Nephi 3:7. Go and Do
2 Nephi 2:25. Adam Fell, Joy
Mosiah 2:17. Serve Man, Serve God
Alma 37:35. Learn Wisdom, Youth
Alma 41:10. Wickedness, Happiness
We are going to scripture "chase" the references we have just gone through. You may refer back to the board whenever necessary. The object today is to apply the three keys we have studied. (Read the following to the class.)
There will be two rounds. I will give a scripture chase clue in each round: in round one it will be a key word, in round two it will be a statement. You will find the scripture that applies and quickly raise your hand. The first class member to find the scripture will earn one speed point for his team. After the speed point is given, I will then count to five thousand by thousands, such as one thousand, two thousand, and so on. When five thousand is reached, I will say "Stop." All team members who have found the scripture will score one point each for their team (if five team members have the correct scripture, their team earns five points). To determine the winning team, we will take the total number of points and divide by the number of people on the team.
For example: If there are five people on a team and that team has twenty-five total points, we will divide twenty-five by five, which equals five.
(Spend approximately seven minutes on each scripture chase round. Be sure to keep the activity moving quickly. It sometimes helps to motivate the class members to have some kind of reward. You may want to reward the winners double. Have fun, but remember the purpose of this activity is to reinforce the concept that the scriptures can be enjoyable when they become meaningful to us.)
Round 1: Begin round one by offering the key words you placed on the chalkboard for the scriptures you read. You may mix up the order if you wish. (Do not read the answers, which are given in parentheses.)
Go and Do (1 Nephi 3:7)
Adam Fell, Joy (2 Nephi 2:25)
Serve Man, Serve God (Mosiah 2:17)
Learn Wisdom, Youth (Alma 37:35)
Wickedness, Happiness (Alma 41:10)
Round 2: Begin round two by reading the following sentences (answers in parentheses).
1. Why did President Ezra Taft Benson ask young people to read the Book of Mormon? (Alma 37:35.)
2. The fall of Adam was a blessing for us. (2 Nephi 2:25.)
3. I don't know if I am capable of serving a mission. I can't talk to people at all. (1 Nephi 3:7.)
4. Why do I feel good when I help someone else? (Mosiah 2:17.)
5. Why do we have to have a Church service project each year? (Mosiah 2:17.)
6. If I cheat on my math tests, I can get an A and I will be happy. (Alma 41:10.)
Sample final chalkboard
3 Keys for Making the Scriptures Enjoyable
Key 1
2 Nephi 32:3
Study or "feast" upon the scriptures
Key 2
1 Nephi 19:23
"Liken all scriptures unto us."
Key 3
Moroni 10:4-5 and D&C 18:35-36
We can know by the Spirit that the scriptures are true.
Go and Do
Adam Fell, Joy
Serve Man, Serve God
Learn Wisdom, Youth
Wickedness, Happiness
Points
Team 1
Team 2
Bear your testimony and challenge class members to be able to use the scriptures to defend the gospel.
1. How does this reference apply to me?
2. What can I do today to more fully live this scripture?
3. How would I feel if I were in that situation?
4. Do I act like anyone in this scripture?
5. If I were to compare myself with any of the people, who would it be? Why?
6. Another way to "Liken the Scriptures" is to substitute our own name in the place of a pronoun in the scriptures. For example, Doctrine and Covenants D&C 82:10 would read: "I, the Lord, am bound when [Mark does] what I say; but when [Mark doesn't do] what I say, [Mark has] no promise."