I have all sort of markings in my previous Bible for topics and themes. I underlined some words a certain color and used a pink highlighter for the word "love." I had codes that I put in the margins for other words, like an "L" for references to light and a tiny heart for references to the heart. I also put dates in the margins if a verse was a theme for an event, like VBS or a conference. I put a circle around the number of some of my favorite verses.
I'm trying to decide if I want to do the same thing or something new in this Bible. Do you underline or take notes in the margins or at the back? I look forward to reading how you mark your Bible.
Have a day of blessings!
6 comments:
I use several bibles, but I have one bible I never mark up. Because once a pastor said, when you use a well marked up bible, your eyes will atomatic go to the highlighted area, underline part and you will miss seeing something new the Holy Spirit is trying to show you. Allow Him to lead you and not you showing Him what you have already learned or read.
So I still underline, I use different gel pens, even pencils. I don't take notes in the margins, but do have a journal for copying verses, notes and thoughts on what the verse is saying to me at this time in my life. I love to underline and hightlite those in my journal too. Hope that gives you ideas.
I usually buy a new bible about ever two to three years.
I do write in my Bibles. I purchased my current Bible at the beginning of 2010 and have marked when I have read a certain chapter or when a verse has been used in a Bible Study or a sermon... or when a friend calls and tells me that they were reading Psalm 86 and thought of me!
What has been interesting is to see what books and chapters are left untouched. Undiscussed. Unread. Undiscovered. Those books and chapters draw me. Make me curious.
Sometimes I am reminded when I look at the dates about how God spoke to me at that moment.
Unfortunately, I do get a little self-conscious when people see all my markings... afraid that they might think I am trying to make myself look holier-than-thou... but maybe some look at it and wonder why I love the Bible so much... and they are drawn deeper into the Word.
Mine is marked and written in all over. And just a few years ago I started dating my notes as I add them to it. A small group leader told me how she does that and even now it's cool to see when I was studying something and where I was at in my life at that point.
An interesting question, and interesting comments!
The Bible I use the most and carry with me to church is a study Bible, so it already has alot of notes. However, I still add sermon notes or word translations in the margins, and have found them to be helpful when reading back through passages. Underlining or highlighting favorite verses has always been a practice of mine.
Must admit that dating the notes has never occurred to me, but perhaps is a good idea.
One little hint for Bible marking:
Pencil writing is too light & can smear or wear off; & the ink of some pens can bleed through the paper, so I always carry one or two of those inexpensive 10/$1 blue pens with me. They work great!
Have fun marking your new Bible, Bethany! You'll enjoy reading back through your notes! Just save a little room for new ones! S: )
I've enjoyed reading all of your ideas. Thank you for the tips and ideas you shared. I appreciate it!
Oh,this is such a good question and I so enjoyed the previous answers. I have a church Bible and that's all it is for and any markings in it are concerning sermons, lessons or Bible Studies I have done at church. I have my devotional Bible and it is used solely for that purpose. I do not use different colored markers as it is so distracting to me, but only use yellow. I bet you can take all these ideas and suggestions and come up with a plan that will work perfectly for you. Blessings my dear!
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