Bible Study

When I was in high school, I had a science teacher who forever changed the way I organize my life. She introduced me to the beauty of the three-ring binder. My life has never been the same! :)

Naturally, this way of organizing lends itself to many of my pursuits, including individual binders for each branch of my family history research, maps and brochures of our favorite hiking and recreation spots, to name a few.

Recently I realized how I could apply this same organizational logic to my Bible study materials. Why it took me this long to realize this is beyond me, but it is what it is...  A quick search of Pinterest left me with that "it's ok, but not quite what I'm looking for" feeling. So, me being me, I created my own. I'm a no-frills kind of person and I don't like extra stuff taking up all my ink when I print, so they're kind of Spartan. However, after using them for a few weeks, they really work for what I need.

In the front of my notebook I keep a Scripture Color Code sheet. This page has open circles that you color in yourself, using whatever color scheme works for you. I realize this isn't something that everyone will do or even wants to do, but I do keep one Bible that I mark up using this color coding process.

My notebook sections are:

• Bible Study - I use these pages for individual daily studies.

• Bible Word Study - I love words. I love know the origin, meaning and other uses of words. This is one of my favorite pages.

• Scripture Meditation - Every now and then a verse or section of Scripture will really "speak" to me and I like to spend a little more time on it.

• Sermon/Teaching Notes - I don't take notes every Sunday, or during every Bible Study teaching time, but occasionally there is something I want to hold onto, so I will go through the work of transcribing my notes onto this sheet. It could also just be printed and brought directly with you and filled out in real time. Your choice!

• Resources - So many times someone will recommend a book to me, or one of our large group teachers will reference a book that looks intriguing to me. My usual practice is to jot a note somewhere... and then never find it again.  I created this sheet to keep track of those titles I want to read, along with a small section for my thoughts on the book once I finish reading it. 

•  Prayer List - If I don't keep a list of prayer needs for others, my brain loses track. This is simply a notebook page folded in thirds. The first column is Who, the second is What and the third is Answer.

In addition to these sections, you could also include a section for Journaling. I am not a journaler, but sticking some loose leaf notebook paper into its own section is certainly easy enough to do.

Another thing I have is a sheet protector. I use it to save little things that don't fit elsewhere. I have a note sent to me by a lovely woman after we served during VBS together last summer that I keep in there, among other little mementos.

The last thing I keep in my notebook is a plastic zipper pocket. It's useful for me to keep pens and pencils as well as the little paperback-sized Bible study workbooks that we use in small groups. 

Psalm 11:4 says "He has caused his wonders to be remembered..." I hope you find any or all of the pages useful in your own study time and that you will remember how good God is. 

Feel free to use them on your own or even with your own Bible study small group. My goal in providing these pages is to help you on your own journey of owning your faith, and growth in your knowledge of God and all that He has done for us.