Print out a Bible page and practice before writing in your Bible. You can print a page by highlighting the text from a Bible online, download a printable Bible, or print a Bible from software on your computer. This will allow you to get more comfortable with writing with the Bible text before writing in your own Bible.

Write your notes on paper first, and then transfer the note to your Bible when you’re ready. This way you can work out what you want to say, and then decide if it needs to be written in your Bible. I’ve written many notes that I won’t transfer to my next Bible. Writing your notes out on paper first helps you to see beforehand if it really needs to be in your Bible or not.

Buy a cheaper Bible and practice. You don’t have to start with the most expensive Bible. I started with an inexpensive Bible and developed my own system. I learned what I liked and didn’t like and bought another Bible and started over. I did this several times until I was ready to write in a better quality Bible.

Get good quality pens for marking your Bible. Marks that bleed through and smear look terrible in your Bible. I recommend pens or pencils that don’t leave indentions in the paper, bleed through, fade, or smear. My favorite markers are Pigma Micron. They are archival quality and work great. My favorite pencils for coloring are PrismaColor.

It’s OK not to write in your Bible- even if it’s made for writing in (like a wide margin Bible).  Don’t let others pressure you into writing in your Bible if you don’t want to. Don’t feel obligated to just because others are doing it. Use whatever system works for you. If you would rather write in a notebook than your Bible, that’s perfectly fine. The key is that you take notes as you study the Bible. Work with the text and apply what you’ve learned- even if you don’t feel comfortable writing in your Bible.

Related posts:

1. Add Your Own Headings to Your Bible
2. Marking Your Bible without Marking the Text

There are many types of headings: some more theological, others more informative, some include references, some have many headings, and others have very few. Some are distracting when reading, while others are barely even noticeable.

Some may laugh at the idea of writing headings in the margins of a wide-margin Bible, feeling that we’re just making our Bibles the same as other study Bibles, or that the headings are not helpful. I suggest that making your own headings is a great way to delve into the text- pulling out the main points of each passage. It helps in study because you are thinking deeply about a passage to determine how best to describe it in just one sentence. Headings are also a great searching tool. If I’m looking for a certain miracle that Jesus performed, I can read down the margins (at the blue writing in my Concord) until I find the passage I’m looking for.

One of my favorite heading-systems is from the Thompson Chain Reference. Its headings are in the margins with the chain references. This works great for me because it keeps my text clear. I can read the text without interruption, and if I want to use the headings they are there in the margin. For this reason, I recommend a wide-margin Bible.

What you will need:

Wide-margin Bible. Any good wide-margin Bible will do. One of my favorites for this project is the Note-takers from Local Church Bible Publishers. It is single column and has a 2.5 inch margin on the outside of each page. LCBP also has a regular wide-margin. LCBP is also releasing a wide-margin in large print. It will have the same print as their large print hand size, but will have around 1.5 inch margins all around. Another favorite is the Cambridge wide-margin series. And of course RL Allan has a new wide-margin in KJV.

Pens. My favorite for this project is the Bible Marking Kit from Pigma-micron.  You could use just a single color for the headings (I’m using blue in my Concord), or you could use different colors for different Scripture types. For example, you could use one color for history, another for doctrine, another for parables, and another for poetry, etc.

There are several ways to come up with your own headings. You could open up several Bibles and compare what they have, and then make your own based on your specific tastes (using your own theological view, or focusing on specific topics such as Creation, history, archaeology, etc.).

My recommendation:

Study each chapter and write down the main points. From those points, write a short sentence that describes each point. At first you might want to look at other Bibles for examples and reference. This will help you to write the headings the best you possibly can before writing them in your Bible. Once you feel comfortable with each heading, transfer them to your Bible. Don’t get in a hurry. If you’re not sure, don’t write it. You can always come back to it later. If nothing else, it can open up an area for deeper study. Even if you decide not to write the headings in your Bible, you’ve dug a little deeper in God’s Word- and that’s always a good thing. If you do decide to write the headings in your Bible, you have a study Bible that is made from your own study instead of someone else’s. You will have a unique study Bible that is completely your own.

Related posts:

1. How to use a Wide Margin Bible
2. Writing in an Expensive Bible
3. Marking Your Bible without Marking the Text

Instead of marking the text, I’ve been experimenting with marking the margins. Some Bibles have more room in the margins than others, but this method will work in most Bibles. The two best Bibles for this method are a wide-margin and a Thompson Chain reference.

If you mark according to topics like I do, you would greatly benefit from a wide-margin or a Thompson with this method. I will cover both Bibles separately since I am working with them differently. I will cover the Thompson first.

One thing I like about the Thompson Chain Reference Bible is that most of the time when I want to write a topic in the margin it is already there. Not every topic is there, but many of them are and there is enough room left that you can write in the few that are not there. Another thing I like about the Thompson is that the text is clear of distractions. I used to complain that it didn’t have headings within the text itself- instead, they are in the margins, and you have to look for them. Now I see that as a strength rather than a weakness. So now instead of marking my text, I mark the margins. If I want to color every verse on faith or prayer, I simply color the words in the margin and leave my text alone. This has the advantage of using the 7000-8000 topics in the Thompson and you get to highlight the topics that mean the most to you. The topics can be combined, like in my other color-coding methods, or kept separate, making the markings even more valuable. For example, if you wanted to mark Scriptures that pertain to salvation, such as faith, repentance, etc., you could mark each topic with your salvation color (mine is red), or you could mark each topic with its own color. This greatly enhances your marking. You are only limited by the amount of colors you can use. This is the method I am going to use in my next Thompson Chain Reference (this one is from Word Aflame Press). For years I’ve marked the references in the margin and the verse. Now I’m just going to mark the topic and most likely the reference. Of course there are some disadvantages with the Thompson. Thompson has a LOT of stuff written in the margins and to be honest, I don’t use most of it. Coloring the Thompson’s margins helps me to differentiate what I’m looking from what I don’t need. Don’t get me wrong, I like having all of that stuff in the margins, but some of those topics and chains I will never use. I do recommend using a Thompson though, because it is a good topical Bible. You can use a hard-cover or even paperback Thompson if you just want to try this but don’t really need it to be your primary Bible.

You don’t have to have a Thompson Chain Reference to use this method, but you will have to do a little more work if the topics are not already printed in your margins. My favorite type of Bible is a wide-margin, but almost any Bible will work as long as you have some writing room. With a wide-margin Bible, I write the topic myself and color it according to my color-code. This works in much the same way as using a Thompson, but it has its own advantages. For one, I can have just the topics I want. For another, I can be even more thorough with my topics by breaking the verses down ever further, or I can be as simple as I want and just write ‘salvation’ instead of writing all of the individual elements of salvation. There are still at least two more things you can do by writing in your wide-margin- you can use different color markers (a color could mean anything you want it to), and you can color-code your topics any way you want. For example, you can write ‘salvation’ and still use a color to mean something specific (tan for faith, red for repentance, etc.). This works because there’s nothing written in the margin that you didn’t write, so you don’t have to decide what in the margin matters to you. It all matters to you because you put it there.

If you have a Bible with references you can color the references according to their topics. This has the added advantage of showing you quickly what topic the reference is before you go to the verse. This can help you to decide if the reference is what you’re looking for at a glance, since many references do not really give you any information. If the references is not keyed to the text in any way (like my Cambridge Concord), they just become a blind link.

If you don’t have enough room to write words in your margin, you can use symbols. Symbols can be pictures or letters used to represent your topics. For example, you could use a shield for faith (guess where I got that idea…), or you could write an F. Symbols can even be color-coded if you wish. Symbols have the advantage of being virtually unlimited. Of course, symbols can be combined with any other marking system to enhance your Bible study.

I you still want to mark your text but you want it to be easy to read, I would consider just underlining. This is a little bit of both styles: you can color-code you text, but the text would be easy to read because the color is under the text rather than on the text.

I recommend using more than one marking system. For my next Bible with wide-margins, I will mark in my margin and leave my text alone. For my next Bible that doesn’t have writing space, I will underline. Try different things and see what you like; and keep it simple. A system that gets too complex won’t get used for long and it might even deter you from studying the Bible. The key is to use the method that helps you get the most out of God’s Word.

Related posts:

1. Bible Marking
2. New Bible Marking Method
3. Bible Marking Symbols

There are many ways we can use those nice margins in a wide margin Bible. It’s best to use a systematic approach and write notes that are useful, comprehensible, and succinct. Your notes should enhance your Bible study. As far as what to include… there are many options and methods of using those wide margins. The following is a short list of some of the most popular items to place in your wide margin Bible.

Notes

Notes can include commentary by other authors, charts, graphs, facts, translation notes, references, etc. If the notes are something that will be referenced by many verses you might consider writing the note in the notepaper in the back and write a reference to it everywhere you need to.

Commentary

Writing your own commentary will help you to remember the meaning of a passage. For difficult passages it is a good idea to have something in the margin that can explain the key points. This is especially helpful for teaching or witnessing. Margin space is limited, so there’s not much room for complete commentary.

Word Studies

Word studies include both the original languages and translation notes. I will make a mark over the word in the text, and then make the same mark in the margin. Then, I write my notes which are now keyed to the text.

Sometimes a word could have been translated another way. If it is a word that is difficult to understand, or if I find that a different word clarifies the text, I will write other words that could have been used.

For the original languages, I simply write the definition from a dictionary (Strongs, etc) of important words in the text.

References

Most wide margin Bibles include references, but some do not. If your Bible includes references, you still might want to add references that are not included. If yours does not include references, you have the opportunity to own a custom reference Bible. The problem is you have to add them yourself. That’s a lot of work, but when you’re finished your Bible will be more personal. A good reference Bible can be used as a pattern to help in choosing which references to include. You can also get references from Bible software such as Libronix.

Topical Chain

I like topical chain references. They allow you to work your way through the Bible on a specific topic. It’s best to know ahead of time which references you want to include in the chains. There are many resources available for topical lists.

One problem is the fear of leaving out verses. I try to get as many verses on a topic as I can before I start. Software such as Libronix has topical lists that can be used. Other sources include Thompson Chain Reference and Naves Topical Study Bible. Writing your own topical chain gives you the advantage in deciding what topics to include and how detailed to break up the topic into subtopics.

Here is a good topical list: UPCI Biblical Subject Index

Marking

It’s best to not use pencils, pens, or highlighters that can leave indentions or bleed-through. I recommend Pigma Micron markers and Prismacolor coloring pencils. Pigma Micron markers come in many colors and sizes. I use 005 for my marginal notes and 05 for underlining. Prismacolor pencils are high-quality pencils that do not indent the page, smear onto the opposing page, or bleed-through. For more information on marking your Bible see my article about my new Bible marking method.

Hints and tips

One of my favorite tricks is to borrow ideas from other Study Bibles. I occasionally go through all of my Study Bibles and see what I can pull from them. For example, my Thompson Chain Reference has a few added features that I’ve pulled from a few Study Bibles. I took the topical system from the Promise Keeper’s Study Bible and the Pentecostal Themes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible. I have used both of those systems for years and I plan to add them to my Note Taker’s wide margin. Features such as reading plans, book outlines, word studies, etc., can be added to the margin or extra note pages in your Bible.

Another good source is books. I have recently read several good books, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist and The Ultimate Proof of Creation, that have information that I’d like to add to my Bible’s margins.

Other good sources include pamphlets and tracts. I especially like the pamphlets that fold up to go in your Bible cover.

I don’t recommend trying to copy someone else’s notes completely. I also don’t recommend trying to add a dictionary. Some word studies are great, but if you need a dictionary you are better off with a dictionary. It is best to write as little as possible when it comes to commentary. Also, when adding a definition, place the definition on one page, then on every other page that has the same word simply add a note to turn to the page with the definition. In this way you are not repeating the same note over and over. Don’t get too technical or mechanical in your note taking.

Use a systematic manual style. Use the same abbreviation throughout the entire Bible. It is best to use common abbreviations for the books of the Bible. Use v for verse and vv for verses, etc. As a way of developing your own marking style, I recommend printing a page from the Bible (a good source for a free wide margin Bible for printing is printkjv) and work with it until you’re comfortable. Then you’ll feel better about writing in one of those $150 Bibles (unless you buy an Executive Series Note Takers Wide Margin from LCBP for $55- which I highly recommend).

Use a ruler for making light lines to write on. Your Bible will look better and be easier to read later.

Your note taking should be part of your Bible study- not take the place of your Bible study. Always begin with prayer and ask God to lead you. God is willing to open our understanding and give us more light.

Related posts:

1. LCBP Wide-Margin Inner Leaf Bible
2. Cambridge Concord Wide-Margin, KJV
3. Cambridge Wide-Margin Hardcover, NKJV

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.

No related posts.

Using my old system I simply colored the whole verse a single color (the color of that particular topic). The more I studied it became obvious that I needed to highlight specific phrases within each verse because many verses contained more than one topic. That was in my Dugan Topical Study Bible.

For my current system I went from the Dugan (one of my favorite Bibles of all time) to a Thompson Chain Reference (another of my favorite study Bibles). I then modified my system by only highlighting the phrases according to their specific topics. That’s worked for me for 15 years. Now I want to add some topics. The problem is I’ve already highlighted those verses because I highlighted the complete phrase, even though it could have been broken down a little more. For example, in Genesis 1:1 I highlighted “God created” in yellow (my Godhead color). Now I want to highlight Creation as a separate topic. That by itself really not enough reason to buy a new Bible, but since I want to do more than just highlight (I want to add LOTS of notes that I can’t add without a wide margin), a new Bible is required. Since I’m getting a new Bible anyway…

Enter the Note Taker’s Wide Margin Bible from Local Church Bible Publishers. I will write a separate review of this Bible, but I got it because it has a single column of text and has a 2.5 inch margin on the outside column- plenty enough room to do what I want. It comes in calfskin leather (it’s a premium-quality Bible) and sells for only $55.00 (they sale it at cost). I couldn’t help myself, so I ordered the Bible, printed the sample page from their site and started developing my new note-taking system.

Pencils

I’m using PrismaColor coloring pencils. They are available for $1.49 each at Hobby Lobby. I chose 12 colors that don’t look alike and started experimenting. The color code is mostly the same as before, but I will be modifying it slightly. The pencils are used for highlighting the text. Before, I highlighted the whole phrase of the topic. Now, I underline the phrase and highlight the key points. This gives me the advantage of being able to quickly scan the page. Before, I could know quickly which verses were Godhead topics. Now, I can quickly know the key points of each Godhead topic.

Pens

I’m using Pigma Micron from Sakura in 005 for taking notes. I am starting with three colors: black for taking notes, blue for writing the name of the topic (or a symbol such as a circle, square, letter, or number if I don’t want to take up as much room- the same symbol would be drawn at the beginning of the word or phrase in the text), and red for the references. I also bought green, just in case. After seeing the sample page, the blue and the red are a touch bright. I like darker colors, so I might go with burgundy and brown. I’ll try a few other colors before I write in my Bible. I’ll be adding a few things later on, so I might add some colors later. PrismaColor also makes a set of markers that work well with Bibles, but I’m supporting Sakura because they have at least two sets of pens that are marketed as Bible marking pens. As long as Sakura is promoting Bible study, I will support Sakura.

PIGMA Micron Bible Marking Kit

PIGMA Inductive Bible Marking Kit

Ruler

I decided to use a ruler for making straight lines. This way I don’t write crooked(er). I had gotten a 6 inch Bible ruler with the names of the books of the Bible on it. This ruler doesn’t bend very well so I looked for something else. I use to have an underling ruler that was flimsy enough to follow the bend of the paper. I can’t find that ruler anymore, so I went with a 6 inch sheet magnifier/ruler.  I wanted to make one out of stencil material. I planned to cut symbols into the stencil so I could use it to mark my Bible with symbols, but I don’t want to develop a symbol system right now. This ruler has the added benefit of being a magnifier (handy for those of us after 40).

Once I throw in an organizer Bible case and a notebook (don’t put a premium leather Bible in a canvas case… that would be wrong) I will have a complete study kit.

My note-taking system will change. I still want topics in the margins like my Thompson, but I want to add my own topics and references, so I will make a system similar to Thompson’s for the topical chain reference. Also, I have lots of study Bibles that have some key features that I want to incorporate into my new Bible (I already have some of these features in my Thompson – the Promise Keepers Men’s Study Bible devotionals and the Full Life Study Bible Pentecostal studies). Here are some of the items that will go in my margins:

• Notes – Black pen
• Topical heading for chain references (similar to Thompson) – Blue pen
• Chain References (similar to Thompson) – Red pen
• Parallel passages
• Translation notes, variant readings – (maybe in green)
• Definitions – English, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic (including terms like monotheism, eschatology, etc)
• Chapter headings
• Subject headings
• Fulfilled prophecies
• OT quotes
• Time chart, timeline
• Alleged scientific mistakes
• Alleged contradictions
• Updated names (Esias = Isaiah, Noe = Noah, etc)
• Study helps from other study Bibles – Full Life, Greek-Hebrew Key Word, Prophecy, Promise Keepers, Defender’s, etc
• Apologetics – Oneness (one God, salvation, holiness, gifts of the Spirit), the Bible (science, archaeology, etc), Creation, also- Angelology (Angels), Bibliology (The Written Word), Critical Thinking, Ecclesiology (The Church), Eschatology (The Last Things), Hermeneutics (The Science of Interpretation), Pneumatology (The Spirit), Soteriology (Salvation), Theology Proper (The Person of God), Hamartiology (Sin)
• Arguments against false doctrine
• Doctrinal rebuttals
• General facts
• Commentary from other authors
• Note at beginning of each book showing chronological order
• References, sources, and citations
• Drawings, charts, diagrams
• Controversial topics (including archaeological, etc)
• Popular sayings (by preachers, etc)
• Helps – daily devotions, building good habits (including 7 habits of highly effective people), one year reading plan, etc.
• Timeline of Church Fathers
• Notes from “I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist”
• Important dates and timelines (book of Acts, gospels, etc)

I’m sure I left something out. I know I can’t get a lot of details in the margins, but that won’t stop me from trying. I’ll just have to write small and succinct. This is a multi-year project, so I’m not getting in a hurry.

Here’s some pictures of the sample page I downloaded after I’ve marked it up with my new system (mostly just as an example). I’ll be tweaking it a little until I’m sure of what I want before I start writing. The actual notes will be several years’ worth of Bible study.

This type of note system will work with any wide margin and the coloring system will work for almost any Bible (just make sure you include a key to the color code somewhere – I like using the pages in the front of the Bible). I’ll be ironing out the details for a while. I will print practice pages before I start in my Bible (something I recommend highly). I wanted to share this because I was surprised at how difficult it is to find information about how to use a wide margin Bible. It does little good to have those awesome margins if you don’t know how to use them. If no one else has claimed this method then I will call it the “Studies in Scripture Bible Marking Method” :-D. Now, my new Study Bible just arrived…

Related posts:

1. Marking Your Bible without Marking the Text
2. Bible Marking
3. Bible Marking Symbols

The Bible is like a treasure- the more you dig, the more you discover. Studying the Bible is like an archaeological dig- the more you uncover the more exiting it becomes. Rightly dividing the Word of God is in itself a lifetime of study; marking your Bible helps in that study. Bible marking helps in remembering what you’ve learned, helps to memorize scripture, and helps to put things in context.

God wants us to study His Word.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

1 Peter 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The Bible is part of the Armor of God.

Ephesians 6:13-17  ¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  ¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

More than just reading, studying the Word includes rightly dividing the Word. Rightly dividing the Word of Truth is a commission to each Christian. We are all to study the Bible and hide it in our hearts, but how? There are many sound principles of Bible study. Some work for some but not others. No one method is best for everybody. In this article I’d like to cover one aspect of Bible study- Bible marking. Bible marking is not for everyone, but it is a Bible study aid that has helped me in my Bible study for many years. In this article I want to share my methods of Bible marking.

When I first started studying the Bible over 25 years ago I got hooked on topical study of doctrine. I studied the Godhead, salvation, holiness, prophesy, etc. I thought it would be a good idea to color the verses in those topics so that I could find them quickly. I started with five topics. Over the years I’ve added to those topics. I now have about a dozen topics, each with many sub-topics. I color the main topics and handle the subtopics by writing the name of the sub-topic in the margin and coloring that with the same color as the main topic. For example, in Isaiah we find many verses that use the phrase “Holy One of Israel”. I color that phrase, then in the margin I write Holy One and color it the same color. In my Thompson, Holy One is already written in the margin, so I just color it and the reference that it gives.

Yellow              – Godhead
Red                  – Salvation
Blue                  – Holiness
Dark Green       – Contending for the Faith, studying the scriptures
Orange             – Prophesy
Purple               – Healing
Light Green       – Miracles
Light Blue         – Gifts of the Spirit
Flesh                – Works of the Flesh
Black                – Wrath of God
Tan                   – Faith
Brown               – Creation (light blue on Pocket PC and Palm)

The colors you choose would depend on the type of study you do. I’m very doctrinal and topical focused, so these topics work great for me.

For my next Bible I am considering modifying the color code. I use OliveTree on my Palm Centro and it has fewer colors. I’ve been using light blue on my Palm for Creation. I’ve gotten so used to light blue for Creation now that I will probably keep that color for Creation in my next Bible. Also, many times Miracles and Healing are used interchangeably in scripture, so it can get complicated trying to color them. The idea is to make it easy to use and follow.

Color Pencils

I started coloring my Bible several Bibles ago (luckily they were cheap) and I’ve changed my choices in pencils several times. I’m not telling you to use any of these pencils. I’m just saying they’ve worked for me. I used to use Prang. They were more expensive but cheap enough for me to afford and they worked really well. My last pack of pencils was Crayola. Crayola are much better than they used to be, but the set of 36 pencils does not include purple. I recently bought PrismaColor pencils on clearance (I got a $70 set of pencils for $18). I’m considering using them for my next Bible. I can replace each pencil individually for $1.50 each. If you get pencils make sure you practice on something before trying them on your main Bible. Pencils can leave indentions in the pages which can be seen through several pages, especially if you press hard on the page. I like pencils that do not take much pressure to apply the color. This way I don’t leave those indentions. Some colors can be difficult to see through, but they might be good for underlining or drawing boxes around the text instead of highlighting the text itself.

Pens

I started writing in my Thompson with a red Pilot fine point pen. It worked really well for me because I write very lightly. It did not smear or indent the paper. I recently bought a Bible marking pen that is basically the same pen except it has black, red, blue, and a pencil all included. It works great too. Lately I’ve been considering archival pens. There are two sets that look interesting.

The first is PrismaColor. These come in a set of 8 colors and several tip sizes. 005 would work great for writing notes, and 05 would work great for underlining.

The second set is Pigma Micron from Sakura. They have 14 colors available (in 05) and they come in several different tip sizes. I’m leaning toward Pigma Micron just because of the number of colors.

I’m considering just using 005 in various colors for writing marginal notes and continue to underline with color pencil. Another option for me is to use 03 or 05 and underline or draw boxes around the text.

Marking Methods

My current marking method includes coloring over the text itself for the main topic of the phrase I’m coloring, and underlining the text with another color if it has a secondary topic. I don’t color the whole verse unless it’s all part of the topic. In the margin I write a subtopic and color it and its references the same color as the main topic (or in my Thompson I simply highlight what is already written in the margin and add what I need to).

It can get difficult to see through some of the colors, so for my next Bible I am considering only underlining or drawing boxes around the text. Some colors can be difficult to distinguish in dim lighting. The pens will be brighter than the pencils, so I might just use pens on my next Bible.

For Bibles with little room in the margins, symbols can replace the words. For example, instead of writing the word “rapture”, you can use an arrow pointing up. I like symbols, but they can be difficult to draw consistently. Keeping the symbols simple enough to draw is essential. Also, the symbols should have a visual meaning that is easy to relate to the subject.

Another option is to write letters in the margin that is short for the topic. For example, SF can stand for Spirit Filled. Using this method is virtually unlimited, but it can get confusing when trying to remember what all of the letters stand for.

I always write a code-key in the front of my Bible. This key tells what every color, symbol, and letter stands for. This way anyone can pick up my Bible and use it. It also helps me to remember what everything stands for.

Mark sparingly, unless your goal is to have every verse marked. The more marks your Bible has the less the marks can mean, which weakens the impact. If everything is marked… well… everything is marked. Then, nothing stands out.

As I study I sometimes change my focus of topics. Over the past 10 years I’ve done more study of Creation and scientific topics. I added Creation as a topic but I’ve already colored some of those verses in other colors, and now I am considering adding Science as a topic. Technically, Creation is a sub-topic of Science, but it’s OK to have a sub-topic as a main topic if that’s the focus of your study. I could also include Archaeology in Science, but it could clash with Creation, causing both topics to need their own color. It can get out of hand really quick.

The point of all of this is not to get technical and learn the Word only. Bible marking is just a study tool. The scriptures say that the letter can kill but the Spirit gives life.

2 Corinthians 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

We are to worship God in spirit and truth.

John 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We are not to just study the scriptures and ignore our spiritual life, but at the same time we are not to worship in spirit only and ignore the scriptures.

Marking the Bible helps us to wield the sword in battle. It also helps in memorizing the scriptures. Marking your Bible helps you to compare scripture with scripture by simply looking through the text for a certain color for every verse on a specific topic. This works really well for a topical Bible study. The point is to dig into God’s Word because it is a treasure. The Word of God is a treasure, so seek to learn it, hide it in your heart, understand it, and treasure it.

Do you mark your Bible? If so, what works for you?

Related posts:

1. Marking Your Bible without Marking the Text
2. New Bible Marking Method
3. Bible Marking Symbols