Scripture Study Skills: Lesson 166

Focusing on Jesus Christ in the Scriptures

Looking for Symbols and Attributes of the Savior

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

Olympic rifle shooter Matthew Emmons medaled in various shooting events. However, during one event, Emmons ran into trouble. He was in first place and needed only a reasonable shot to win. His aim on the shot was perfect. The shot pierced the center of the target just as he intended. Unfortunately, Emmons had aimed at the wrong target. Instead of being recorded as a bull’s-eye, the shot was scored as a miss, dropping Emmons from first place.

Aiming for the right target can help you achieve your goals. What do you aim for when you study the scriptures? What do you hope to get out of them? As you study today, invite the Holy Ghost to help you gain more from your scripture study.

Lesson Purpose: To help you focus on Jesus Christ while studying the scriptures.

Learn How

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles identified the central purpose of the scriptures. Read the statement, or watch the video from the talk “The Blessing of Scripture.”

In the end, the central purpose of all scripture is to fill our souls with faith in God the Father and in His Son, Jesus Christ—faith that They exist; faith in the Father’s plan for our immortality and eternal life; faith in the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which animates this plan of happiness; faith to make the gospel of Jesus Christ our way of life; and faith to come to know “the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He has] sent” (John 17:3). (“The Blessing of Scripture,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 34)

scriptures, faith

This lesson teaches you how to focus your scripture study on Jesus Christ. Since Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are perfectly united, Christ’s attributes apply to Heavenly Father as well (see John 6:38; 10:30; 14:7–9). For each skill, you will learn about the skill, see an example, and then have an opportunity to practice it.

Record each skill in your notebook so you can refer to it later.

Names and titles of Jesus Christ. While you will not practice it today, another way to focus on Jesus Christ in the scriptures is to look for names and titles people use for Him in the scriptures. These names and titles help us learn about His character and attributes.

Skill: Look for symbols of the Savior and ponder their meaning

The scriptures are filled with symbols of the Savior. A symbol of the Savior is an object or item that can remind us of the Savior’s role in our lives. For this skill, look for symbols that remind you of the Savior and ask:

• How is the Savior like this symbol?

• How does comparing the Savior to this symbol help me understand how the Savior can help me in my life?

Example

Through the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord used a powerful symbol to teach us about Him. Read Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13, looking for a symbol of the Savior.

In this passage, a fountain of living water is used as a symbol of Jesus Christ. Think about what this symbol can help you understand about Him. You might consider the following questions: What are some uses of water? How is the Savior like water in these ways? How is the Savior as essential as water? Why might we need Him as often as we need water?

Next to one of the verses that talks about water, make a note explaining how the fountain of living water symbolizes Jesus Christ. Or you could tag the passage as “symbol of Jesus Christ.”

Practice

Read one of the following scriptures. Find a symbol of the Savior, and ask yourself the two questions mentioned earlier.

• 2 Samuel 22:2–4

• Isaiah 25:4 (Note: The word thou refers to the Lord.)

• Malachi 3:2–3

Tag the passage with “symbols of Jesus Christ” or make a note explaining what you learned about Jesus Christ from the symbol.

Skill: Look for what we can learn about the Savior from His actions and words

We can also focus on the Savior as we study the scriptures by looking for His actions and words in the scriptures. As you read the scriptures, ask yourself the following questions:

• What do these words or actions teach me about the Savior?

• How do these words or actions help me understand how the Savior can help me in my life?

Example

We can learn about the Savior by studying the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These three righteous men were thrown into a fiery furnace because they refused to worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had created (see Daniel 3:13–22).

Read Daniel 3:23–25, marking what the Savior did in these verses. (Note: The fourth person in the furnace was Jesus Christ.)

Think about the Savior’s actions. Why did He do this? What might His actions teach you about Him? The Savior’s actions may help you see that Jesus Christ loves us and will be with us in our trials.

Practice

Read one of the following passages. Mark what the Lord said or did. Next to the passage, make a note that includes what you learned about Jesus Christ from what He did or said.

• 1 Samuel 16:6–7. Samuel was trying to identify the next king of Israel.

• Isaiah 1:16–18. The people of Israel had fallen into sin.

• Isaiah 53:3–5. A prophecy of the Savior’s Atonement.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: This lesson is intended to help you focus on the Savior while studying the scriptures.

Share the following with your teacher or class:

• What you learned about Jesus Christ as you practiced the skills.