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Recently a friend had a bit of a conundrum. They had just gotten back into a regular habit of Bible study, but they didn’t know what to take notes on. Thus, the idea for this blog post was born.
But first, let’s address why we should be taking notes during our Bible study time. Taking notes helps us to interact with the Word of God. It gives us a chance to really meditate and marinate on what it’s telling us. If you struggle with what to take notes on, keep reading!
1) Timeless truths – I have learned throughout the few years that I’ve studied the Bible that the best notes to take are timeless. This means that going back to read those notes should and can be applied for all time. Usually these kinds of notes are practical or remind us of who God is and what He wants to do in our lives.
2) Prayer – Sometimes taking notes isn’t enough. Sometimes we’re just so enamored by what we’ve just read that we have to praise and pray. Jot those prayers down. Is it a confession of sin? Is it a praise or thanksgiving? Whatever it is, God will honor it because you took the time to spend time with Him.
3) Connections – Ever read something in the Bible that seemed familiar? Maybe it’s because you’ve read something similar in another passage. There could be a connection there. Make note of those connections and it will spur more studying. Connections may take the form of comparing and contrasting, cross-references, or types and shadows.
4) Sermon points – I cannot stress enough how important it is to record what you’re learning from your pastor. The little nuggets of truth that you get on Sunday mornings go a really long way. Some sermons are organized into points, but others you may have to listen a little more carefully to get what God is trying to tell you. I would also highly recommend going back during the week and looking over those notes again; never know, you may need it.
5) Miscellaneous notes – Other material that you use might come in handy for notes. Commentaries, study resources, and online studies are all great tools. Be careful not to use them as a crutch; they are not the Bible.
Materials For Note Taking
If you’re anything like me, you’re not going to be satisfied with just a pen and paper. I love seeing color on my Bible pages, as well as notes upon notes. Highlighters, pens, crayons, colored pencils...they can all be used in the note-taking process.
There is a special type of pen that I have been loving recently. They are the Micron pens. They are very precise and are useful for small amounts of space on your page.
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