Maintain A Holistic View

Break into manageable chunks while still maintaining a holistic view.

This is the last skill before I get into Isaiah—I promise. This is a culmination of all of the skills so far. Each of the skills are used in the following step process where I start with a broad perspective, zoom into the details, and then transition into a holistic view so I can gain greater knowledge from complex scripture:

Step #1:
	I read the complete chapter trying to get a general feel for the contents. I try to pick out overall themes or principles. This is my first pass over the chapter so I am not expecting myself to understand the concepts and symbolism behind the verses rather I am looking for the general flow of the chapter to help me keep focused as I zoom into the verses in the next several steps. It may require several passes of reading the chapter in order to keep this fresh in my mind throughout this whole process.
Step #2:
	I break the chapter into manageable sets of verses—usually verses that feel connected—but I try to keep in mind the direction and themes picked out in step #1.
Step #3:
	I read through one set of verses at a time looking for symbolism. I take notes along the way so that I can make the connections and knowledge that I gain more permanent.
Step #4:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ What would these verses mean to the people when it was initially given? ▪ Do I understand the geographical, political, and cultural significance of the verses? ▪ Do I understand the words being used and how they were used at the time it was translated? If I answer no to any of these question, I look through my sources and commentaries and read only the pertinent background information.
Step #5:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ How do these verses relate to the last days? ▪ Do I understand the significance of the events being talked about and the timing within the last days? If not, I skim through my sources and commentaries reading only pertinent information pertaining to the last days. In this step, the last days is just an example. I may choose any other parallel such as during Christ's time or during the time of the Nephites. This helps expand my mind to start seeing the hidden symbolism contained in these verses in preparation for the next step.
Step #6:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ How do these verses relate to me and my everyday life? ▪ How do these significant places, events, people and principles symbolically relate to me? This is often the hardest part and most time consuming because it is deeply personal. However, through fervent prayer and purposeful pondering the answer will come and it will be well worth the effort put into it.
Step #7:
	Once I feel satisfied, I finalize my notes and move on to the next set of verses by repeating from step #3 until I have completed the chapter.
Step #8:
	I reread the chapter putting the learned concepts together searching for overall meaning. A single verse or verses can be very enlightening but by putting them all together, I can unlock the additional knowledge and the deeper meaning that the writer intended for me. In addition, I compare the chapter with previous chapters—often concepts were artificially broken up into chapters.
Step #9:
	I ask myself the following questions while pondering and praying: ▪ What are the principles, invitations, and promises associated with this chapter or set of chapters? ▪ How can I implement them in my daily life? ▪ How will they bless me and help me on the path back to my Heavenly Father?
Step #10:
	Now that I have gained my own personal revelation and direction in regards to the chapter or chapters I am studying, I will consult my sources—including other scriptural commentary—in depth to broaden and expand my personal knowledge.