I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 3:2).

Reading the scriptures is a good thing. Understanding them is even better. But for seminary students who have not consistently read their scriptures, the experience can be a little like too-thick chocolate milk. They recognize that others might like the taste, but to them it is repugnant.

The Corinthian saints were a bit similar. They struggled with the thicker things of the Spirit, because they were so used to the easy things of the world. Paul tells them in 1 Corinthians 3:3 that they were carnal and that is why they experienced “envying, and strife, and divisions” — all easy emotions compared to deeper gospel principles.

As my students come in to my seminary class from out in the world, I watch them experience a transfer of perspective. Whereas kids at the local high school value pride and prestige and wealth and the latest tech toys, the Spirit of God doesn’t. Whereas their peers may enjoy crass jokes or attend irreverent movies, the Spirit does not tolerate such material.

Every day our students walk back and forth between these two worlds — that of the adversary and that of the Spirit. At some point, they will choose which one to inhabit permanently.

The scriptures can help our youth discern wisely between carnal lifestyles and eternal ones, but only if the scriptures are clear to them. If our students find the scriptures too thick to understand, these priceless tools of inspiration remain out of reach — even if read daily.

Students grasp for truth because most students do seek good, but without knowing how to understand the message, their fingers will come up empty. The students will shut the scriptures and make an inaccurate assessment that whereas Christ’s words are fine for their teacher, they just don’t seem to work for them.

Paul recognized this immaturity amongst the saints at Corinth. He understood that they were yet as “babes in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). As a result, he modified his teaching.

Do we want our students reading daily from the scriptures? Absolutely. Are they? For many of them, perhaps not. Why not? We need to follow Paul’s example as we introduce the scriptures repeatedly throughout our school year. Each teacher has the responsibility to find out why a student is not interested in the scriptures. We need to mold our lessons to our students’ abilities, just as Paul molded his teachings to the Corinthians’ current ability.

At the beginning of each year, we do this by reading verses together as a class and asking questions as to the important doctrines contained therein. Can our students deduce any principles found in what they just read? If they can’t, this then exposes our starting point as gospel instructors. We then need to allow additional “play time” within the scriptures for the younger “milk” drinkers among us.

Ever seen the children’s sign, “My work is my play”? Well, for our youth, it can be the same. It can be fun to “play” in the scripture yard God has given us.

While exploring in this virtual/spiritual playground of enjoyment, we can show our students how to read not for just the story, but for the meaning behind the story. Remember the “5 Ws” our English teachers taught us? Well, the “5 Ws” work in well in spiritual environments as well! Some probing examples might be:

• What brought these people to this point?
• Why do you think they were told this?
• If you were there, what do you think Paul might have meant?

These are just a sampling of questions that can get youth examining the principles waiting for them on the pages of their scriptures. The more we have “playground time” in class, the more students can grow in understanding the prophets, their messages, and their meaning. The students may not be able yet to digest the “meat” of the gospel, but they sure will enjoy drinking the “milk.”

I trust the apostle Paul in this approach. He knew what his learners could handle. I also know our students are generally in a better spot than the Corinthians, making our job a bit easier. I’m sure Paul arrived at his assessment through a variety of means; how important that he did.

By assessing our students’ understanding through a variety of means, we can know how to share each lesson and just how much to let the student explore. By requiring their participation, we will strengthen them in their ability to understand what they read. As their comprehension grows, they really will be less and less like the Corinthian saints and much more able to understand and partake of the things of Christ.

Paul knew that those who lived with envying and strife will struggle more with gospel teachings than those who live after the manner of peace. He worked to wean his listeners from “milk” to “meat;” it took some time. As gospel teachers, we can be gentle on ourselves as we seek to wean our students from the “milk” of Christ to the “meat.” This can be a lengthy process. Our students can only move as fast as they are willing to purify their lives. Until then, we do offer the “milk” of the gospel to nourish them until they are able to receive more.

Incidentally, when Paul speaks of the difference between the “milk” and the “meat” of the gospel, I doubt he meant deep doctrines. In fact, his letter to the Colossians was in essence a reprimand for seeking after ethereal and complicated gospel topics. Rather, the gospel in its completeness is simply one of full-hearted faith, repentance, receiving ordinances, service, and enduring to the end. Not very complicated — it simply requires a mature ability to live it.

Thus, as we work with our students, we need to understand they are babes in gospel learning and application. It is true that, generally speaking, they no longer are crawling in obedience to the standards mentioned in the pamphlet, “For the Strength of Youth”; they are beginning to walk in those stands. But their gait may be unsteady.

As our students increase in obedience, they will increase in their gait; their ability to discern the Spirit in and from scripture study will be strengthened. Their scriptures will begin to make sense to them and will become more palatable, even desirable. Our job is to continually hold out the promise of joy for those who live the gospel in a “meaty” way. Then the “chocolate milk” found in the scriptures will not seem too thick for our students — it will be delicious! And our students will be ready for “meat.”

Article excerpted from C.S. Bezas’ debut book, Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers, available in LDS bookstores September 1, 2006.