How many of us have been in class when the teacher asked one person to start reading two or three verses and then has everyone go around the room and take turns? Taking turns reading scriptures or even calling on different people to read scriptures are popular methods, and they work well. Many times, however, when it is time to comment or ask questions about the scriptures, the process can be difficult. So here are some steps to make the process more effective, fun and interesting:

Preparation
Many times the lesson will have scriptures that relate to the lesson listed to read. If not, find ones that you feel support your lesson well. Go over these at least twice and ask yourself the right questions, such as, “How does this support or relate to my topic?” or “What details do I normally look over when I have read this scripture in the past?”

The point is to find your own meanings, interpretations, details that stand out to you, etc. so that you can be prepared to help your class find these as well. You can even find your own scriptures or examples in the scriptures that you feel support your lesson better if you feel more comfortable using those.

Set the Stage
Have you ever walked in to a play half-way through it? Always, always, always set the stage for what you are about to read. Tell what is happening in the story at the time, who is involved, who is speaking and why, or what their purpose is. This will prepare those in the class to get familiar with the story instead of “walking in to it half-way through it.”

Also, it will help those who may not be familiar with the scriptures to possibly pique their interest, or to help them get acquainted with them, or even help them understand them if they are not used to the language.

Sometimes it can also be important to point out what you want others to notice before you start reading, especially when the answers to the questions you are going to ask may not be obvious. In cases like these, you may want to say something like, “Pay attention to...” It will help those who are reading follow the direction you are taking them in.

Call on Someone
Personally, I like to call on different people to read throughout the class because it keeps everyone a little more on their toes. I notice that if the teacher asks us to go around the room to read scriptures, I am more likely to let my mind wander because I know when I will and will not be expected to participate. And yes, this may mean that you will have to learn everyone's name!

Ask the Right Questions
Now is when your preparation comes in to play. Asking questions like, “What do you get out of that?” or “What does that mean to you?” can be very appropriate or even the best thing to do under the circumstance.

However, if possible, try to make the questions specific. Which direction are you trying to go in with your lesson? What kinds of questions will get you there? And, most importantly, what kinds of questions will help the class teach themselves?

If it relates to your lesson, ask if they noticed certain words, ideas, characters, etc. And don't be afraid if no one answers right away. They may need a minute to think or reread the scripture. If necessary, you may want to rephrase the question and then move from there.

Reading scriptures can be a challenge in class. But if we have the right attitude toward it, feel prepared, know which direction we are going with them and do what is necessary to help our classes move in that direction, the scriptures can be enjoyable and the best source of doctrine and spiritual growth.