One of the most effective thing to do while studying the scirptures is to read them actively. I’ve thought a lot about how to do this. It seems like some people are able to read something, finish, and realize that they have no idea what they just read. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve never had that problem.
I think that the thing is, while reading, you need to be observant. Sometimes, it is easier to observe when you are asking yourself questions. This is when it becomes active reading. This is how you learn to read between the lines.
Of course, this is kind of tricky – in that I don’t literally ask myself questions while I read. At least, not any more. However, when I first was learning how to read the scriptures, I did take more time to find answers to both obvious and less obvious questions. Over time, this thought process has become a habit. I hope it helps.
Three Types of Questions
In general, there are three types of questions:
- Search These will help you get the facts of the scriptures that you are reading. Sometimes they seem kind of “dumb”, but they are actually very useful.
- Analyze These questions will help you synthesize the facts of the scriptures. You will begin to make meaning.
- Apply These questions will help you to apply the scriptures to your own life.
- Who is the vine? (see vs. 1) – Search
- What happens to the branch that doesn’t bear fruit? (see vs. 2) Search
- What happens to the branch that does bear fruit and why? (vs. 2) – search
- Why does the Lord want to bring forth good fruit? (based on vs. 1-2) Analyze
- Where does the Lord instruct us to Abide? (vs 4) – search
- Why do you think it is important for the branch to abide in the true vine? (vs 4) – analyze
- Christ again mentions that He is the vine. What does he tell us that we are? (vs 5) – search
- Obviously, this is a symbol. Christ is not literally a vine. We are not literally branches. Why do you think that He is making this relationship? What are we supposed to be learning from the illustration of a vine and branches? – analyze
- What can we do without Christ? – apply
- Through verses 5-7 Christ invites us to abide in Him. He also tells us the consequence of each choice. What is the consequence of NOT abiding in Christ? (vs. 5-6). What is the consequence of abiding in Christ? (vs 7) – search
- Why do you think that Christ is doing so much to illustrate the consequences of our decision to abide in Him? – analyze
- What does it mean to actually Abide in Christ? – analyze
- What can I specifically do (better) in my life to Abide in Christ? – apply
- When we abide in Christ, and remember that Christ is the true vine, we then begin to bear good fruit. In verse 8, it tells how Heavenly Father feels about good fruit. What does it say? (vs 8) – search
- Those who choose to abide in Christ, and bear good fruit are considered His disciples. What does it mean to you to be a good disciple of Christ?
- How does it make you feel to know that Heavenly Father is glorified when you bear good fruit? – apply
In order to learn how to apply these to scripture reading, I’ll include an example of how it might work.
“I AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” – John 15:1-8
Jesus Christ is the True Vine.
The branch that doesn’t bear fruit is taken away.
It is purged – so that it can bear more fruit.
I suppose that he wants to bring forth good fruit because that’s the whole point of the vine. It is frustrating to have a plant/vine that doesn’t fulfill it’s purpose.
He wants us to abide in Him, the true vine.
If we don’t abide in Him, then we won’t bring forth good fruit. Also, if the branch is separated, it will probably die.
We are the branches.
I suppose that this symbol – a vine and its branches – helps us to realize how we are totally dependent on Christ for life. Without him, we die. It is also teaching us that we need to be fruitful, or productive. Otherwise, we are cut off.
Nothing. Without Him, there is no life. He created me. He has atoned for my sins. I need Him.
If we don’t abide in Christ, then we are withered, removed from the vine, and gathered up to be put in the Fire. However, if we abide in Christ, then we will ask what we will, and it will be done. (Also, we won’t be burned!) 
I think that He is trying to teach us these consequences in a way we understand because they are truly the consequences that we will receive if we don’t turn to Him. If we refuse Christ, then we will succumb to Satan – and Spiritual Death. It is Christ who offers us life. He wants us to Live. He is willing to support us. But we must be willing to abide in Him. It cannot happen any other way. The branches of the vine cannot live without the true vine. It is a simple fact.
I’d say that it means we take on His name through baptism, keep the commandments, pray often, and seek to come closer to Him through the scriptures.
There are always ways that I can improve. I think that personally, I can make sure my prayers are better. I can also be better at serving others.
The good fruit glorifies Heavenly Father.
To me, it means that I try to live like Christ. I try to help and support others. I try to keep all of the commandments. I try to keep the Love of Christ in my heart – and let it motivate me to do good.
I’m so happy to know that I glorify the Lord when I bear good fruit. I’m happy because I know that my Heavenly Father Loves me. I often wonder how I can truly show gratitude to His mercy. I’ve been a beneficiary of His love for my whole life – often when I haven’t deserved it. Yet he has not held back his Love for me. So, I’m happy to know that there is a way I can please Heavenly Father. This truly motivates me to be a better person.
Questions! I hope that this example has helped. Try asking yourself more questions while you study. These questions are also especially helpful when teaching a class.
Thanks for taking the time to read! Do you have any additional insights? Please share if you do.
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If you would like more scripture study tips, then you can check out my free eBook here.
Angela
/ July 3, 2010Thank you for that walk through and example. I have to admit that I have a difficult time coming up with the questions that make the study session more meaningful. Maybe I should have paid more attention to the analytical reading section in English 101 :-p. I can usually only come up with one or two questions at a time (with the help of the Spirit), but they are usually along the lines of the “apply” questions you have listed. If you have any tips or a basic structure on how to come up with them, I would greatly appreciate it. I would like to get to that point that you talked about earlier in the post that the questions will create a thinking habit. Love that idea! I am excited to try this out and get one step closer to scripture scholar-dom!
Thanks again for your diligence! (D&C 18:15-16)
chococatania
/ July 4, 2010Thanks for the comment angela.
Between majoring in English and taking the “preservice” classes (required courses for seminary teachers in Utah), I was able to learn a lot about reading.
In the seminary teaching courses, there is great emphasis on asking questions. This is because the text is the scriptures, and, for the most part, you want to teach the students to have an experience with the scriptures. It seems that, by asking good questions, the experience happens.
When preparing for these classes, in other words, when studying the scriptures and preparing a lesson based on that scripture block, I found that I was learning so much more. I realized that, even if I wasn’t taking classes, I could apply this method of study to my own personal habits. It has been great, and, over time became natural.
Here is a link to information on how to ask the questions. You’ll see that it is from our recent Teachings of the Prophets: Joseph Smith Manual. If you scroll down to Prepare to Teach, point four, you will see some bullets for asking questions. That advice is essentially the same as what was written in this post.
As far as structure on how to make up these questions – Remember the three types: Search, Analyze, and Apply.
You will ask yourself mostly searching questions. These are the facts of the story, and the facts are very important. Sometimes the question seems stupid, but in order to analyze or apply, a base knowledge is required.
As you ask yourself the “Searching” Questions, it will be important to start making some kind of meaning – Putting it together. Now, you ask yourself analyze questions. These types of questions seem to come up after 3-4 searching questions. Usually, it is a “why is this important?” or “Why is Heavenly Father saying this?” kind of question. (or “Why do I think I need to know this?”)
Once you have been searching and analyzing, the application will begin to happen naturally, “What does this mean for me?” “How can I apply this new knowledge to my life?”
Anyway – you have children, so you are constantly in a teacher mode. From other comments and discussions with you, I know that you glean much from the scriptures. Perhaps try taking this approach when teaching your children the scriptures. Obviously, they are young, so the questions will be very rudimentary, but the pattern is the same.
anyway – thanks!
Angela
/ July 7, 2010Thanks for the link! Life saver! I came from a family of doers where you don’t ask questions you just do it. Very much an experiential learning environment. It lends itself to learning your lessons very solidly but does not lend itself to knowing how or why or even being able to explain the process of how you accomplish something. So needless to say, teaching, is not one of my forte’s (accent mark not apostrophe.) This was actually one of the huge drawing points towards my husband when we were dating. (awww) He is an amazing teacher. The more I progress along the gospel path the more imperative I find that knowing how to teach is. Hello, we are supposed to become like the Savior and what did He do during His most documented period of His life…yah. So even though I fall on my face alot, I am always looking for ways to become a better teacher. So thanks!
chococatania
/ July 18, 2010Thanks. Yeah – one of my favorite of Christ’s titles is Master Teacher. Really, that is what he did – through his words, example, and actions.
You may like the book Teach Ye Diligently by Elder Packer. It is about teaching, but he also relates how good teaching is essential in parenting. It is a really good book.