Scripture Reading Tips for Deeper Understanding*
Enhance your scripture experience with these suggestions:
*Mostly based on:
Father Mike Schmitz
“BONUS: How to Hear God's Voice in Scripture”
an episode of the Bible in a Year podcast
Consider its nature
You will reach a deeper understanding and identify better with scripture by pondering its nature as you read.
First, ask yourself what type (genre) of literature it is. The nature of each verse of scripture is affected by what it was written to do. For example, some scriptures are designed to teach, a few answer questions, others are prophetic, many are historical, cite genealogical context, some impart wisdom, some sing praises, give thanks, or express deep sadness, and many are given to explain moral rules. Pondering the purpose of a verse, chapter, or book helps us better understand its meaning. Each kind of scripture has a purpose, and you get more out of it if you understand that purpose.
Some categories of scripture may hold our attention better than others. For example, genealogical lists of names may seem boring until you begin seeing how the author was using the list to make a certain point.
Another important aspect to consider is the cultural background. The more we understand about the culture a scripture is describing, the better we will understand how the message applies to our own culture and times.
Figure out what God intended
God has revealed scripture to people in many different cultures, using several imperfect human languages. Our lack of knowledge about those cultures and languages can hamper our understanding of those scriptures.
We need to ponder and work out what God wants us to learn from scripture. Look for the real meaning behind the words—what God is getting at beyond our feeble words. Sometimes it helps to consider alternate translations.
Scriptures often use symbols, patterns, and even the calendar to teach what God wants us to know. The culture in which the scripture was given often has implied meanings we miss without thoughtful study. You have a choice between yielding a little—bowing your head enough toward God to discover the subtle meaning of His word, or stiff-necked stubbornness that assumes your own culture and understanding are all you need.
Listen for God’s voice, open your heart to what He wants you to learn. Exercise faith as you read so you can better hear God’s voice.
Coming Soon . . .
- look for meaning in the scriptures as a whole
- church leader teachings can give you insights
- is it literal, allegorical, moral, or of eternal significance
- analyze for patterns (types & shadows), and historical parallels
- study it like it has something to teach you
- to resolve problem passages—keep going
- for useful explanations try each page's footnotes, the Guide to
the Scriptures, the Topical Guide, and Bible Dictionary
- learn a story's geography in each scripture's map index and maps
Figure out what God intended
Look for meaning in the scriptures as a whole
Figure out what God intended
Figure out what God intended
Look for meaning in scripture as a whole
Each book of scripture was written separately—but they inform each other. Like a bundle of sticks, what they say as a whole is stronger than what they say individually.
Think core teachings. We are the children of God created in God’s image and He wants us to return to Him. God’s work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of mankind. The foundation and chief cornerstone of scripture is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, so that repentant sinners can be forgiven of their sins, and our fallen nature can be overcome. The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows the love of God for his children, and shows us the way. The plan of salvation is for us to have faith in Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide us back to God. As we make and honor our covenants the followers of God are sealed into His family and follow a path back into God’s presence. And as we follow along that path, we encourage our family and friends to do the same.
Find how each passage of scriptures fits into these overarching principles. Figure out how scriptures glorify God. See if you can find how scriptures entice us to follow a covenant path returning to our Father in Heaven. And watch for the scriptures that warn us away from sin, and warn about behavior that would take us farther from God.
Beware of interpreting scripture in ways that goes contrary to the overall meaning and core principles of what has been revealed. “In the mouths of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15) God gave us multiple sources, in multiple places, in multiple ages to independently corroborate His message. The more we study the whole, more we recognize the value and real meaning of the various witnesses.
Use inspired Church leaders for insight
Most of all, learn what God wants you to get from the scriptures. Ask God in prayer to help you learn by the power of the Holy Ghost the true principles of the gospel.
Nevertheless, inspired leaders are also a great choice for learning about the meaning of scriptures. Faithful, seasoned men and women guided by the Holy Ghost are called to witness to the truth of the gospel. They often cite scripture and explain its meaning in insightful ways. Many past talks of inspired Church leaders are available for study. Pick out a principle or story you want to learn about to see what wise leaders have said about it over the years.
Also, Church leaders often write inspired books like Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmadge, or Lectures on Faith by Sidney Rigdon, Jospeh Smith Jr., et. al. Many others books have been written by faithful members to improve our understanding of scriptures.
And attend worship services at meetinghouses and temples where you can hear the scripture principles explained and taught. This is a wonderful time to learn truth by the power of the Holy Ghost. The witness of your fellow believers will often bring enlightenment to your spirit. Sunday school and less formal gospel discussions with fellow believers frequently lead to greater insight regarding scriptures.
Ponder the literal, allegorical, moral, and eternal significance
Read scripture with an eye for both its literal and spiritual meaning. Think about three senses of the spiritual meaning: allegorical, moral, and anagogical (eternal significance). Spiritual allegory uses characters, events, or symbols to teach ideas, lesson, or concepts beyond their literal meaning. For example, the children of Israel passing through the Red Sea could be an allegory for baptism. Search for the patterns, types, and foreshadowing found in scripture. Also ponder the moral sense of a scripture which shows us how to behave in just and wise ways. And reviewing each story (or passage) in terms of its eternal significance (afterlife, eternal lives, and the destiny of humanity) helps us better understand God’s purpose for sharing that scripture with us.
Watch for patterns (types & shadows), and historical parallels
Enjoy the numerous parallels, quotes, and fulfillments shared in different books of scripture.
Study it like it has something to teach you personally
Trust that God has put something in scripture for you to understand. You will come across many things that you do not understand at first. Strive to figure out what God is trying to tell you personally through scripture, even when it takes extra effort. Dig deeper, and ask questions. There is something there to help you live happier, and return to God. Make it your goal to figure out what God wants you to learn from scripture.
Avoid a skeptical, or critical attitude about scripture—these usually hinder your ability to appreciate what you read.
The best questions about scripture arise from a desire to gain a better understanding of them.
Humble yourself while reading in order to seek deeper insight into the will of God. Strive to use the scripture wisely in whatever situation you find yourself at the moment. God wants his Word to help you now.
To resolve problem passages that trouble you—keep going
What happens when you hit a boring or repetitive patch? Or worse, come to something confusing, or scriptures that cause doubt. Keep going!
Scripture followers may find some sections less interesting than others. Miracles, and heroic good works can grab our attention better than the laws, long genealogies, what priests wore, and details of how they sacrificed animals. If you hit a dry section—keep going anyway!
Those who thoughtfully ponder the scriptures occasionally come across confusing or troubling passages that seem to contradict their understanding of gospel principles. God never asks you to believe anything that is not true. Patience and research usually help overcome doubts. If something in scripture bothers you, put it on a mental storage-shelf until you have time to research more and pray about it. But keep on going with your study of the rest of the scriptures as a whole. Deeper understanding of the whole usually helps us put individual contradictions in proper perspective. Questions and troubling scriptures usually get resolved by continued engagement with the scriptures as a whole.
The scriptures are about flawed people, usually in strange cultures. And we as readers struggle with incomplete understanding of scriptures which use imperfect fallible language usually filtered through many mortal hands before it reached us. Listen to the Spirit about scriptures—strive to discover what GOD wants you to know and learn from any given passage despite the imperfections introduced by man.
Even with some mistakes of men made in transmitting and interpretation of the heavenly message, our scriptures are glorious in what they reveal about God. With the help of the Holy Ghost, and by considering the witness of scriptures as a whole we can still use scripture as one of our most powerful tools for discerning God’s will for us.
To dig deeper, use References and Study Resources like:
• each page's footnotes
• alternate translations of the Bible
• carefully selected articles on the Internet (or AI
answers) can also help find insight
Learn each story's geography—use the Internet and gazetteers to find locations on maps
Finally, to get to know the cultural background of a story better, study its geography. Place names and their relative positions to each other give you a foundation for the culture of each scripture story. Geography matters! Make it a part of your scriptural study.
