I’ve cut much of what GAS has written and would recommend having a lesson primarily on the scriptures and how to study them while supplementing with GAS’s words. My notes are in regular font, his are in italics.
From what GAS says in the manual, it’s clear that this is a prophet with a firm testimony of the power of each of the books of scripture. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:
As I read the scriptures, … I marvel at the goodness of the Lord to bless those who accept his teachings, for we find more comfort in these sacred records than in all the philosophies of the ages, as given to us by the wisdom of men.5
I sometimes feel that we do not appreciate the Holy Bible, and what it contains, and these other scriptures, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price that have been referred to … as letters from our Heavenly Father. They may be so received, at least they are his advice and his counsel to all the children of men given to them that they may know how to take advantage of their opportunities, that their lives may not be spent in vain.7
Why are the scriptures important to GAS?
Why are they important to you?
What are some of your favorite scripture stories?
Read Proverbs 8:1-12 and discuss:
Who is wisdom?
Where can we find her?
How can we gain wisdom and apply it to our lives.
In Proverbs 8, we learn about the importance of wisdom, personified as a woman.We know that the scriptures are full of wisdom that can help us progress and become better people. How can we use the scriptures to gain wisdom? (Hint: asking some of the questions above as we read the scriptures is a good way to start)**
In the manual, there is a section that talks about how the scriptures can help us in times of trouble.
Is there a scripture or a scripture story that has brought you comfort in difficult times?
When I feel lost and spiritually-removed, I often am comforted by Moroni 7:47 because it doesn’t say that I have to have perfect charity…if I have even a little, “it shall be well.”
There isn’t (unfortunately) a section about how to study the scriptures more deeply, so I would use this as a point of discussion…
What things do you do in your daily scripture study that help you to gain more from it?
Is there a time of day?
Do you have a partner you read with?
Do you read and skip around based on themes or start from the beginning and read to the end?
This lesson ends with talking about family scripture study. Here are some quotes that I enjoyed from GAS:
I would like you to ask yourselves, how many of you have read anything to your families out of these books from time to time, called them together to teach them the things that they ought to know. I am afraid many of us would have to say we have been too busy.12
Brethren and sisters, I desire to emphasize again the teaching of the Master: “search the scriptures;” read them prayerfully and faithfully, teach them in your homes; call your families around you and inspire in them a faith in the living God, by reading those things that have been revealed. They are the most precious of all the libraries in all the world.1
How do you teach children and teenagers how to read the scriptures?
How can we as a Church do a better job at helping our youth use the scriptures as a tool?
I would end with this quote:
Now, I want to say, my brothers and sisters, that the advice of Jesus Christ, is still in force with us wherein he said, “Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.” [John 5:39.] Do not neglect the old family Bible; do not put it away upon the shelf and forget it. Find out, if you do not already know, what it says, and if you have read it before, read it again often to your children and to your children’s children. Read them not only the Bible, but other books of scripture that the Lord has given us for our exaltation, for our comfort and for our blessing.16
**Want some good examples of deep scripture study?
Check out Deborah’s post on her namesake in the Old Testament
Jessawhy’s exegesis on the story of the Good Samaritan
TopHat explains her stake president’s study of Jesus feeding the 5000
4 Responses
[…] Relief Society Lesson #10: The Scriptures, the Most Valuable … I sometimes feel that we do not appreciate the Holy Bible, and what it contains, and these other scriptures, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price that have been referred to … as letters . […]
Thank you for doing this! Your ideas always help me focus my thoughts and help me phrase the questions I want to ask!
Thank you so much. This is perfect to base my lesson on. I often read the lesson and don’t know where to start with my teaching. I always want my lessons to be more than just reading the book. The ladies can read the book at home. I want to get deeper. Give them something they can’t get by reading it by themselves. You always provide that insight. Very inspiring!
Thank you for writing this.
But, I also think that there are other books that are just as valuable and just as true. And can teach us valuable lessons as well For instance, Mark Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn”. also teaches us how to treat another person who is different from us with compassion and dignity.
The “Wizard of Oz” teaches us the importance of family.
“Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl,” by Linda Brent teaches us the strength of the human spirit.
The same holds true for “The Diary of Anne Frank”
All of these books have something very powerful to teach. Regardless of gender, regardless of class, regardless of race, regardless of spiritual faith belief system.