This is a continuation of The Invitation, a previously posted blog challenge. We are now on Day 7. Please feel free to read the other days and start at anytime! Incorporate this challenge to fit you! Weekly, monthly, daily however it will work for you! All material is original blog material written by Dixie. ( I just borrowed the idea ;) Scripture suggestions are from my personal study, all thoughts and challenges are from my personal history and my future as I too continue to strive for more closeness to Christ.
Thought for the day: John Chapter Four……Jesus and his disciples passed through Samaira as they were traveling from Judea to Galilee. In the City of Sychar they stopped at Jacob’s well, “there comenth a woman of Samaira to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, give me to drink.” For his diciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat. “Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, how is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me which am a woman of Samaira? For the Jews have no dealings iwth the samaritians. “Jesus answered and said unto her, if thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. “the woman saith unto him, sir, thou has nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; from whence then hast thou that living water?… “Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again, but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”
This living water referred to is a representation of the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel. And as water is neccessary to sustain physical life, so the Savior and His doctrines, principles and ordinacnes are essential for eterenal life. You and I need his living water daily and in ample supply to sustain our ongoing spiritual growth and development. The Scriptures contain the words of Chrsit and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long. You and I must look to and come unto Christ, who is the fountain of living waters. by reading, studying, searching, and feasting upon the words of Christ contained in the holy scriptures. By doing so, we can recieve both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey. – David Bednar
Penny in the shoe: everytime you feel the penny in your shoe today remind yourself to use this Sabbath day to drink from the reservoir of living waters, remember to read….
Challenge for the day: Develope a personnal scripture study pattern that will most benifit you the. Remember the quality of time out weighs the length.
Do What You Can
One Church member tried many times to follow
specific programs for scripture study, but it was always difficult for
her. She later reflected:
“It seemed that with trying to raise a family
and fulfill my Church responsibilities, I never completely reached the
goal. I would designate a certain time and place to study each day, only
to have the schedule interrupted by the needs of children who were ill
or other crises typical of a growing family. During that time of my
life, I never really thought of myself as someone who was good at
scripture study.
“Then one day my mother was in my home. She looked
at a large table which was covered with Church materials—among them my
scriptures—and said, ‘I love the way you are always reading your
scriptures. They always seem to be open on one table or another.’
“Suddenly I had a new vision of myself. She was
right. I was consistently into my scriptures, even though it was not
part of a formal study program. I loved the scriptures. They fed me.
There were scripture verses tacked to my kitchen walls that lifted me as
I worked, scriptures I was helping my children memorize for talks they
would give. I lived in a world of scripture reading, and I realized that
I was being nourished abundantly.”
Luke 24:32 John 5:39 Matt. 22:29 2 Tim. 3:15 2 Pet. 1:20–21) 2 Ne. 32:3 Hel. 15:7–8
Journaling Thought: Do I feel the thirst for the word of God as I should?
Developing a Personal Plan to Study the Gospel
“It is incumbent upon each of us to do everything
we can to increase our spiritual knowledge and understanding by studying
the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. When we read and
study the revelations, the Spirit can confirm in our hearts the truth of
what we are learning; in this way, the voice of the Lord speaks to each
one of us” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1998, 40–41; or Ensign, May 1998, 32).Elder M. Russell Ballard
The following suggestions can help you develop a
study plan to “increase [your] spiritual knowledge and understanding,”
as Elder Ballard counseled. Your plan should not be overwhelming, but it
should help you be consistent in your gospel study. You may want to
record your plan in a journal or notebook so you will not forget it.
What to Study
Center your gospel study on the scriptures. You may
choose to study a book of scripture in its entirety, or you may focus on
one or more subjects, reading what all the standard works say about
them. You may combine these two methods, studying a book of scripture
and focusing on topics and themes as you find them. You should also
study the teachings of latter-day prophets in general conference
addresses and Church magazines.
If you have a calling as a teacher, your lesson manual is an essential part of your study plan.
You should also consider including the following in
your gospel study: (1) the course material for Melchizedek Priesthood
and Relief Society, (2) assigned scripture passages for the Gospel
Doctrine class in Sunday School, and (3) articles in Church magazines.
When to Study
If possible, set a regular time when you can study without interruption. Elder Howard W. Hunter counseled:
“Many find that the best time to study is in the
morning after a night’s rest has cleared the mind of the many cares that
interrupt thought. Others prefer to study in the quiet hours after the
work and worries of the day are over and brushed aside, thus ending the
day with a peace and tranquillity that comes by communion with the
scriptures.
“Perhaps what is more important than the hour of the
day is that a regular time be set aside for study. It would be ideal if
an hour could be spent each day; but if that much cannot be had, a half
hour on a regular basis would result in substantial accomplishment. A
quarter of an hour is little time, but it is surprising how much
enlightenment and knowledge can be acquired in a subject so meaningful”
(in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, 91–92; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, 64).
How to Study
Before you begin to study, pray for insight and
understanding. Ponder what you read, and look for ways to apply it in
your life. Learn to recognize and hearken to the promptings of the
Spirit.
Consider using some or all of the following ideas to enhance your study:
Love from Dixie
- •Use the Topical Guide, the Bible Dictionary…
- •As you read, ask yourself, “What gospel principle is taught in this passage? How can I apply this in my life?”
- •Have a notebook or journal available so you can record your thoughts and feelings. Commit yourself in writing to apply what you learn. Frequently review the thoughts you have recorded.
- •Before reading a chapter of scripture, review the chapter heading. This will give you some things to look for in the chapter.
- •Mark and annotate your scriptures. In the margins write scripture references that clarify the passages you are studying.
- •Memorize verses that are particularly meaningful to you.
- •Substitute your name in a verse of scripture to personalize it.
- •After studying, offer a prayer to express thanks for what you have learned.
- •Share what you learn. As you do this, your thoughts will become clearer and your power of retention will increase.
Love from Dixie
