How can I use the scriptures to help others become more Christlike?

Jesus Christ is the best example of teaching. He used the scriptures to teach His gospel. Latter-day prophets have instructed us that there is no substitute for the scriptures and words of living prophets when we teach the gospel to others. To teach from the scriptures we must study them for ourselves. Then we can share scripture stories and examples and help those we teach liken the scriptures to themselves.

Prepare yourself spiritually

What scriptures have you used recently to teach a gospel principle? How has your study of the scriptures helped you become a better teacher? How do you use the scriptures when you teach?

What scripture stories or passages could be most meaningful and relevant to the youth? Why is it important for the youth to use the scriptures when they teach?

Prayerfully study the following scriptures and resources. What will inspire the youth to want to use the scriptures when they teach?

Matthew 12:1–8; 13:38–41 (Examples of the Savior likening the scriptures)

Luke 4:17–27 (Jesus uses the scriptures to teach the people of Nazareth)

3 Nephi 23:1–6 (Jesus uses the scriptures to teach the Nephites)

“Teach from the Scriptures,” in Jeffrey R. Holland, “Teaching and Learning in the Church,” Ensign or Liahona, June 2007, 94–97

“Teaching from the Scriptures,” Teaching, No Greater Call, 54–59

Video: “Elder and Sister Bednar—Pride”

Teaching in the Savior’s way

The Savior taught people to think about the scriptures for themselves and use them to find answers to their own questions. How can you encourage the youth to teach as the Savior did?

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Determine What to Teach

Video: “Determine What To Teach”

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Make connections

During the first few minutes of every class, help the youth make connections between what they are learning in various settings (such as personal study, seminary, other Church classes, or experiences with their friends). How can you help them see the relevance of the gospel in daily living? The ideas below might help:

Ask the youth to share a favorite scripture with the class. Why is this scripture meaningful to them?
Invite the youth to read in the scriptures examples of the Savior using the scriptures to teach others, such as those suggested in this outline or others you may know of. Discuss with the youth questions like the following: Why did the Savior use the scriptures to teach? How did using the scriptures influence those He taught? What opportunities do the youth have to teach? How can the youth use the scriptures in their teaching?

Learn together

Each of the following activities will help the youth understand how they can use the scriptures to help others become more Christlike. Following the inspiration of the Spirit, select one or more that will work best for your class:

Demonstrate how you use the study helps in the scriptures (such as the footnotes, chapter headings, Topical Guide, or Bible Dictionary) as a teacher (see Teaching, No Greater Call, 56–57). Invite the youth to use the study aids in the scriptures to prepare a family home evening lesson on one of the Christlike attributes they are studying in their other classes. If possible, invite a few of them to share what they prepared with the class.
Ask the youth to imagine that they have been asked to teach young children about a Christlike attribute using a scripture story, such as the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) or the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1–7). The youth could also watch the video “Elder and Sister Bednar—Pride” and use the experiences of Moses (Moses 1:1–11) and Nephi (2 Nephi 4:12–35) to teach about the Christlike attribute of humility. Invite the youth to use the guidelines on pages 180–81 of Preach My Gospel to plan how they would teach children using the scriptural story or experience they have chosen. If possible, give them time to practice teaching and arrange for an opportunity for them to teach children their stories.
Invite the youth to read the sections titled “Provide Context” and “Share Biographical Information” in Teaching, No Greater Call, 54–55. Demonstrate how to provide context when teaching about the scriptures by sharing the story of Captain Moroni and the title of liberty. For example, you could summarize the background information in Alma 46:1–11 before reading verses 12–13. Ask the youth how understanding the background information helps them understand the scripture story. Invite the youth to choose a scripture and practice teaching it to others providing context and biographical information.
Demonstrate how to invite others to look for something specific in the scriptures. You could use several of the examples on page 55 of Teaching, No Greater Call. Invite the youth to find a scripture about a Christlike attribute and identify something they could ask learners to look for while reading that scripture. Allow them to teach their scriptures to the class using the “look for” approach.

Ask the youth to share what they learned today. Do they understand how to use the scriptures in their efforts to help others come unto Christ? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this topic?

Gospel study skills

Using footnotes. In the first activity in this section, the youth are encouraged to use scripture study aids, including footnotes. Invite them to read a verse about a Christlike attribute and study each footnote for that verse, answering the following question: What does this footnote add to my understanding of the verse? Encourage the youth to refer to the footnotes often as they study the scriptures on their own.

Invite to act

Ask the youth how they can use what they have learned in class to improve their gospel study and teaching. Invite them to share in future classes experiences they had using the scriptures to teach others.