Teaching and Learning
Asking Questions That Invite Diligent Learning

“Asking Questions That Invite Diligent Learning,” Scripture Study Skills Teacher Manual (2024)

Asking Questions That Invite Diligent Learning

Define

You might share the following statement by President Henry B. Eyring:

President Henry B. Eyring

To ask and to answer questions is at the heart of all learning. (Henry B. Eyring, “The Lord Will Multiply the Harvest” [address to Church Educational System religious educators, Feb. 6, 1998], ChurchofJesusChrist.org)

Explain that asking questions as we study the scriptures leads to deeper understanding of God’s word and invites personal inspiration. Think of the scriptures as inviting you to enter into a conversation with them. What questions can you ask to understand them better? What questions do they ask that can help you to become better? The following types of questions can help invite diligent learning:

  • Questions that prompt us to search the scriptures for information about the context or content

  • Questions that require us to analyze the scriptures for understanding

  • Questions that invite us to ponder and apply what we are learning in the scriptures

Model

To model this skill, consider using the following idea or one of your own.

As a class, read Matthew 7:1–5. Consider displaying questions that you might ask yourself as you study this passage. For example:

  • Questions That Prompt a Search for Information: Who is speaking, to whom, and why? What is a mote and a beam? What is a hypocrite?

  • Questions That Deepen Understanding: What is the Lord teaching about judgment by using the imagery of motes and beams? What is the difference between unrighteous and righteous judgment? (See Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 7:1–2, in Matthew 7:1, footnote a.)

  • Questions That Encourage Pondering and Applying: Is there a beam in my own eye that is affecting how I see others? What can I do to avoid unrighteous judgments?

You might share how answering some of these questions can help you better understand the Savior’s teachings and invite personal inspiration and application.

Practice

Select a passage from this week’s scripture reading, or you could select one from the examples provided below. Display or write the following headings on the board:

  • Questions That Prompt a Search for Information

  • Questions That Deepen Understanding

  • Questions That Encourage Pondering and Applying

Invite students to read the scripture passage and record at least one question for each heading. Invite students to share the following information with a partner: (1) the questions they wrote and (2) how answering or pondering those questions can deepen understanding and invite personal inspiration and application.

Additional passages for practicing this skill:

Invite and Follow Up

Invite students to use this skill of asking questions that invite diligent learning to enhance their personal scripture study. Remember to follow up and allow time when you meet again for students to share questions they have asked while studying the scriptures. You might also invite them to share how asking questions enhances their ability to understand and enjoy scripture study.