Do you ever read the Bible, but forget what you’ve read?
It used to happen to me all the time.
When it came to reading the Bible, too often I was like the man James wrote about who “looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:23-24).
It wasn’t my intention to forget what God had spoken to me, but because I didn’t have a method for capturing and meditating on what He said, truth was often lost to careless hearing.
It came in one of my ears, so to speak…but it went right out the other.
I’m excited to share with you a Bible journaling method that changed all that – and transformed my life as well! It’s from my Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World DVD Study.
Word Time: Bible Reading Highlights
Get the Most Out of Your Bible Reading
When I first began writing down what I felt God speaking to me through His Word, the Bible came alive for me. No longer did I walk away, forgetting what I saw (James 1:23–24); instead, the Word began to change me as I found ways to apply it to my life. I invite you to try the approach I’ve found most helpful in my Bible reading:
- Read slowly through a chapter until something sticks out to you, then meditate on that portion.
- As you read, mark key words or phrases with one of the markings suggested earlier.
- Use the following template to note the portion you’ve read and the reference of the verse you’ve chosen to meditate on. After writing out the verse, journal how it impressed you. You can do this in several ways:
~ Respond to God in prayer and personal application.
~ Paraphrase verses in your own words.
~ Note other verses that correspond with what you’ve read.
~ If you are confused by the meaning, ask God questions.
Date: Portion I read today: _
Best thing I marked today: Reference:
Verse: __
__ _
__ _
How it impressed me: _
__ _
___
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart.
Proverbs 3:1
Sign up for my email list to get the “In the Word” Bible Reading Journal. It’s filled with pages of this template as well as tips for getting the most out of your time in the Bible.
<< See previous “Word Time”
I’d love to hear from you…How do you capture what you read in the Bible?