Keep the Blessings in Front of Them

Last week we talked about a renewed emphasis on personal scripture study and the importance of starting where our students are.

Rather than focusing primarily on required reading, we want to help students develop their own meaningful pattern of scripture study—one that can continue long after their seminary experience is over.

This week, I want to build on that idea.

If we are going to help students develop a personal habit of scripture study, we need to help them understand why it is worth doing.

Ultimately, our goal isn't simply to get students to read more. We want them to discover for themselves what happens when they consistently spend time in the scriptures. We want them to recognize the blessings that come from hearing the Lord's voice in His word.

Keep the Blessings in Front of Them

Over the next four weeks, I would like to invite you to do something very simple.

I have provided several slides containing promised blessings associated with scripture study.

Choose one slide each day and show it to your students.

But don't just show the slide. Take a few minutes and talk about it.

You might ask:

“Where have you seen this blessing in your own scripture study?”

“When have the scriptures helped you in this way?”

“What makes it difficult to study consistently?”

“What has helped you when you have struggled to stay consistent?”

Then listen.

Students need opportunities to recognize what the Lord is already doing in their lives. When one student talks about receiving an answer, feeling peace, gaining direction, or feeling closer to the Savior, another student may begin to recognize those same blessings in their own experience.

Help Them Through the Challenges

Last week we emphasized starting where they are. That same principle matters when we talk about consistency.

Some students will struggle with time. Some will forget. Some may read but feel like they aren't getting much from it. Others may simply have never developed a consistent habit.

We don't need to make them feel guilty about where they are. We can help them take the next step from where they are.

Maybe that means five minutes before school. Maybe it is a few verses before bed. Maybe it is listening to the scriptures on the way to school.

The goal is not perfection. The goal is helping them learn the power of consistently turning to the Lord each day, even if it is only for a few minutes in their scriptures

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The Invitation

For the next four weeks:

Show one slide. Talk about the promised blessing. Invite students to share where they are seeing it in their lives. Talk honestly about what makes consistency difficult. Then help them identify one small thing they can do to keep moving forward.

And then follow up.

Ask them how it went. Celebrate small successes. Let students learn from one another. Keep the blessings in front of them.

Last week we invited our students to start where they are.

This week, let's help them keep going from where they are.

We aren't simply trying to help them complete scripture reading for seminary. We are helping them discover that the scriptures can become a source of revelation, peace, direction, and strength throughout their lives.

As students begin to recognize those blessings for themselves, scripture study can become less about something we are asking them to do and more about something they choose to do because they are discovering what the Lord can do for them through His word.

That is the kind of scripture study that can deepen their conversion to Jesus Christ and continue long after they leave our classrooms.