New Color Code

I recently developed a new marking system for my new wide margin Bible. Since I got a new Bible I wanted to develop my color code a little more to include more subjects and get a little more detailed with my marking and study. I also wanted to refine my current subjects a little. My wife also uses my color code, and she added a few subjects of her own. I wanted to add her subjects and she wanted to add my new subjects. So, we collaborated and developed this new color code. We ended up with this new color code to go with my new marking system.

We are using PrismaColor Premier Color Pencils. The color names are the actual names of the PrismaColor pencils from the 48 count pack. There are over 60 colors available to buy individually for $1.50 each from Hobby Lobby (which is probably the best way to buy pencils for Bible marking).

Many years ago I started with around six colors. I’ve added colors over the years and developed my current color code, which consists of 12 colors. Here is my latest color code, which consists of 18 colors.

Canary Yellow – Godhead

Crimson Red – Salvation

Ultramarine – Holiness

Violet – Healing

Grass Green – Defending the Faith/Study the Word

Orange – End Time Prophecy

Black – Wrath of God/Judgment

Pink - Faith

Peach – Works of the Flesh

Yellowed Orange – Creation

Burnt Ochre – Science

Lilac – Gifts of the Spirit

Light Cerulean Blue – Fruit of the Spirit

Spring Green –Miracles

Dark Brown – Archaeology/Chronology

Light Aqua – Prayer

Tuscan Red – War

Process Red – Promises of God

There are plenty more topics to mark in the scriptures, but this will be enough for now.  Other topics I would like to mark include money, music, and vocations. Not everything needs to be marked with a color, and many of these colors will not be used that often. Also, some of these topics overlap, which can make Bible marking difficult. My goal isn’t to mark every verse in the Bible and it isn’t to make my Bible look cluttered.

The purpose of this color code is so that my Bible study can become more involving and inductive. With my new marking system I am color-coding more verses than before, and the coding is part of my study process. This forces me to think more deeply about what is going on within each book, chapter, passage, and verse.  

Some of the latest additions to my marking system are Creation, Science, Archaeology, War, and Promises of God.

Creation will cover every creative act of God.

Science will include scientific facts that the Bible proclaims. For example, the stars can’t be numbered.

Archaeology is the topic with the most diversity. I will mark anything that can be used in an archaeological study. This includes names, dates, places, and events. It will answer the questions: who, where, what, and when. For example, in the book of Daniel it talks about King Nebuchadnezzar, tells who he conquered, and when. This topic can actually be broken into several topics, but for my first time marking it I will just use one color. Later if I determine that it should be broken into more topics for my own study, I will change it when I go to another Bible. In my current Bible I will use marginal notes or symbols.

I constantly find that I want to mark a verse where God is promising something to someone, so adding Promises of God will be a nice addition.

I like pointing out the wars in scripture, so marking War will be a good addition, but it will overlap with Archaeology to some degree.

My wife has marked Prayer for years. It’s worked for her, so I added it to my list.

I’ve already started marking with this system and I have to say that I’m impressed that the colors are easy enough to tell apart.

Most people only use a small handful of colors, but 18 colors really aren’t too many. Color-coding is my version of inductive study. I’ve seen inductive study systems where people are using around 100 symbols. It’s far easier for me to remember 18 colors than 100 symbols. This marking system will last for several years’ worth of study, and will be a great benefit for going through the Bible and interacting with the text. The purpose of this marking system and color code is to promote good Bible study.

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3 Responses to “New Color Code”

1. Ryan Gustason says:

   January 25, 2010 at 1:05 am

   I have used a 6 color color coding system in the past.  I now find myself using a classic notes bible (has a blank page between each page of scripture) to write out notes and my own commentary, as well as highlighting and a symbol coding system.  It is a good thing which ever way you slice it, as long as your immersing yourself in God’s Word!
   God bless!
   Ryan
2. David@biblemarkingtoolsreviews says:

   April 8, 2010 at 10:41 am

   18 Colors is not that hard to remember you can also put a reference in the back of your bible with colors and what they go with. I was thinking of getting a set of erasable gel pens someone was talking about at another set or even the pentel pencil with its 8 colors. Thanks for the input though… Still thinking
3. Randy A. Brown says:

   April 8, 2010 at 9:31 pm

   Thanks David. I almost got the Pentel pencil. I just wanted more colors. I’m even considering adding another color for angels. Usually I would say this is too many colors (they can start to look too similar), but I wanted to enhance my inductive study and more colors seemed to fit the need. So far so good. I’ve gotten a lot more out of my study because of my new marking method.

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