LDS (Mormons) perferably, but whoever is fine; How do you focus when reading the Old Testament?

Question

I don't know about you guys, but I have a hard time reading the scriptures; Bible, Book of Mormon, ect. Actually, I've hacd a hard time paying attention to anything I read lately..lol, that's not the point right now though. :)
I was wondering, does anyone have any tricks for understanding and paying more attention to what you read from the scriptures? I'm having an especially hard time with the Old Testament- the book we're studying in Seminary this year (for all of those who are not LDS, Seminary is a class, either before school, during school, or home-study course, where LDS memebers and non-LDS alike can learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We focus on one book each year; Old Testament, new Testament, Book of Mormon, ect. ) When reading the Old Testament, how do you better pay attention? I know the simple pray before hand and all that, but does anyone else have any other ideas? I just can't seem to learn anything. All POSITIVE ideas are welcome.

And, well, I do want to learn it, I just can't seem to get into.

Oh ya, I'm sorry, but I don't go along with the "read only when you want" slogan. I think you need to read most when you don't want to, but I want to be able to learn too.

I get what you're trying to say Chad, but I find it kind of annoying;
A) Becasue this question could have been asked by ANY Chirstian...LDS, Catholic, Jehova Witness, ect. The only reason you answered was to persecute another Mormon
B) You didn't answer the question. It's not aobut which church is true, it's about how do you read the Old Testament? As said before, any Christian could have asked that, I just mentioned I was LDS so you decided to say something stupid.

Answer 1

Take notes. It helps tremendously. ^_^

Answer 2

I agree with you, when I was your age, it was difficult! I took an institute at LDS Business College and actually met my husband in this class LOL! But this is where I finally began to love the OT. I know there are many parts where you get into the begats or even the description of the temples, and these parts are interesting however, right now, I would focus on the stories, and the messages given. I find that the study guides put out by the church, your parents may have or you can get inexpensively from church distribution or mail order. They really provide some information that help you understand what is happening in this book and help you to focus more on the guts of this book. I remember reading the Book of Mormon for the first time and having the intitute study guide was so very helpful! Also, setting goals of how much to read daily and chipping away at that helps. I had someone tell me once to chew a piece of gum so you don't fall asleep, that helped too! Also, remember that you can't understand it all right now! Don't try to understand every word, just try to get the main message. Study with a pen and write down your thoughts. Also, when reading, try just looking at this book as a big novel. I know that seem ominous but sometimes we are threatened by the old testament and viewing it as a book with some amazing stories helps you to understand it better. I hope I was of some help! Great question!

Answer 3

I find studying the Old Testament to be a very spiritual endeavor. I always reflect how much the Savior studied it. I have a computer game with a manual that is over a hundred pages. The OT was Christ's 'players manual' for the way he conducted his ministry. So think how Jesus would have felt as he read each verse.

There are so many things like poetry and literature that are not included in other scripture. I start by segmenting each book into a category. Then I know what to expect and how to use it.

First is history. Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, etc all deal with the formation and struggles of the Hebrew nation. The many individual stories show the contrast between those who followed God's path and those that strayed. Each is a morality tale for us to apply. As you isolate on one story such as Abraham agreeing to sacrifice Isaac, study it as if you were using it in a sacrament talk. Remember that each story is like an onion. Peal back one layer and you find a deeper more personal meaning.

Second is law. This can be tedious, but use it to determine the difference between the Aaronic priesthood and the higher priesthood Christ restored.

Next is poetry, and literature. This contains hidden gems. There is prayer and prophesy. There is the most practical, time honored advice.

There are the Prophets both major and minor. They sometimes were blunt and direct, but more often poetic and with multiple interpretations. Each had a message for the people of their own time and for a future generation, ie Christ's and our own.

Answer 4

Honestly, I really struggled through the old testament when I was on my mission- not because I didn't understand it, but because it took 2-3 time of reading the same verse before I could understand it... alot of the times its because of the language in the KJ version.
What I've found is that the Today's Internation Readers version of Bible is worded in a way that not only makes sense, but it makes it more fun to read(probably because you understand it better)
LDS doctrine doesn't say not to read other versions besides the KJ version - Leaders of the church have even encouraged it, so unless you are studying the linguistics, I would try a different version and see if that helps.

Answer 5

Chris already mentioned Cleon Skousen's Thousand Year Series. I'm thinking of getting his entire works on CD sometime. Someone else also mentioned the Institute manuals. I've been thinking of how many versions of the story of Joseph, for example, there are out there, in video version, etc. If you are willing to also read children's books and watch videos like the Animated Scripture videos, sometimes you find interesting insights and having full-color illustrations or black-and-white drawings might help you visualize the people better. There are some really high-class illustrated Biblical storybooks on the market. You might also have fun researching Hollywood's golden age of Bible movies. Sometimes they are on TV, and sometimes they are in libraries. Charlton Heston, who was awesome as Moses in the movie "The Ten Commandments" also has a dramatic series on the Bible out, which would also be fun to get. I also like reading insights from the current Jewish scriptures at www.beliefnet.com
Hope that helps.

Answer 6

Personally I read in the morning, when it's quiet before my day begins. I do that, because my mind is fresh and I'm relaxed.

Second thing I do, is I pray before I read my scriptures. I pray that the spirit will be with me as I read, and help me to understand the things I read.

Third thing I do, is if I am still having trouble concentrating.. then I stop, take a breath and start to read out loud.
For some reason reading out loud as if I was reading to someone, helps me absorb more.

Finally read the little preface before each chapter.. so you know the gist of what that chapter is about and look for those things as you read.

Okay and a final final thing you can do.. if you're still having trouble focusing.. is read it, and as you read it, make notes in a spiral of what you've read.. it will help you get it all down better in your head.

Good Luck !

Oh ! Almost forgot.. one thing that got me really intersted it in the Old Testament.. was Cleon Skowsen's First 2000 years.. I think that's the name of it.. he has some great insites in regards to things that were going on in the Old Testament. I was reading that for fun while I read the Old Testament and it really helped things click.

Answer 7

A couple things I've learned is first: have a good commentary to help understand difficult passages. Second: utilize the bible dictionary to better understand terms and doctrine and history.
Finally, give yourself a break. I commend you for seeking to read the Old Testament during seminary [and while you're in high school]. Just get through it. You'll get more out of it next time [and the next, and the next]. Use the scriptures on CD [or put them on your ipod]. The more you immerse yourself in the scriptures, the more they will become easier to read and understand.

Answer 8

There are a lot of books that help "interpret" the New Testiment. These may help. I know I have read a couple. You can also go to the topical guide and bible dictionary in the confusing parts. But its good that you are reading the scriptures. I have read the book Mormon and im 14! I didnt get a lot of it but I felt like I knew a lot more. I also felt really good after!!

Answer 9

I am LDS. I always try to read small sections at a time. If I know that it is a long chapter or one that is not as interesting then I only read 5-10 verses a day, otherwise I try to read a chapter. It also helps me when I think of the Bible as a story and not a history book. Try not to read right before bed, it is much harder to read when you are half asleep.Good luck.

Answer 10

Sometimes you just have to wade through it. The preferred way, to me, is to ask yourself an interesting question and search through the scriptures to find the answer. I found it fascinating to read the Old Testament once I was looking for answers.

I've asked a few questions on Yahoo!Answers that I thought were interesting and caused me to study the scriptures. One example was to note elements of vicarious work for the dead in Deuteronomy 21:1-9. See my question:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnL.xeclkFWr_zzzXmortW3ty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20070820124849AAopfoy

Some of the others have also had some good suggestions.

Answer 11

I have typically do not read front to back in the OT. I will focus on topics using additional resources. But if you want to read the OT I would start by first reading it as a history book and then go back and read it again and find the spiritual matters. Also, learning about Jewish culture and history will help a lot.