Ever since watching this video I’ve researched other videos just to gauge what else is out there and I’ve got to say, this is the best system I’ve seen. I will definitely adopt this system. Just ordered a couple journals along with the pens and highlighters.
Beware of those solid gel bible highlighters, like a narrow crayon. They say they don’t bleed, and don’t seem to at first, but I used them on good paper, in a Cambridge bible, and 5 yrs later they have bled right through, and you now can’t tell which is the right or wrong side, the intended verse. The whole effect is little coloured clouds. Mine were also a bit gritty. Pink is especially bad.
Your journal’s index could start at the back of your book, and your notes in the front. That way you don’t have to guess how many pages to leave because the two sections work towards the middle and will only meet when you finally run out of room.
This was my thought also: With a spiral notebook, notes in front, ToC in back, then they meet in the middle. I plan, however, to use looseleaf paper so I can add another page (or 10, lol) to each entry as I study more about specific passages or chapters. So in my thinking that through, it really doesn't matter as much with looseleaf as with a spiral exactly where my ToC and notes are arranged. 😊
I love keeping my notes in Notability on my tablet. I get all the benefits of handwriting plus the ability to add pages and move things around. All my notes in one place that synchs to multiple devices.
I just discovered this app and while watching this generous teaching was thinking about how to incorporate these suggestions into it on my tablet. What a blessing both are! We can even take picture of our Bibles to add the exact scripture to our notes! Praise the Lord!!!
I use Rocketbook for the same thing. Then on my PC, I have Scrivener. Which is great because you just make a new subsection and it populates a digital note card for the topic. Then you can put all your notes in that section just like typing a chapter.
I’ve been doing the Inductive Bible study way since 2010. I’m all about colors and symbols. When I open the pages of my bible that I’ve studied, just by glancing at the colors I can immediately tell what’s going on. Many thanks for some food for thought! Psalm 91
I good idea is to create a Google Sheets spreadsheet online, then create a Google form with only a few fields (synced to you spreadsheet): 1. Timestamp field (filled automatically upon form submission) 2. Your note code (filled manually-required fill-in) 3. Bible Verse/Chapter reference field (manually filled-required fill-in) 4. You note text field (filled manually-required fill-in) 5. A field for image upload (in case you want to upload an illustration- not required fill-in). Then you're good to go. The advantages of this approach is that you can take notes with your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop PC, since that form is gonna be hosted online on Google. Moreover, one could sort the whole sheet by any field, filter by criteria, it's also easy to print, share and create PDF from it and back them up on another cloud, hard drive, etc. If you want you can print it out once every 6 months in order to have a printed copy of your notes updated up to the date of printing.
I apologize if I missed this, but I have one question on the notebook system. Let's say you enter in M001 on Creation from Genesis 1. You then go on about your note taking, but when you come back to Genesis 1:1 for whatever reason you think of more notes that tie into that same header. If you don't have any notes space between M001 and M002, would you put M001A and add that to the next available page or make a similar entry with a new number? Also, it appears that each new number has a new page with the header layout provided. Am I getting that correct? Obviously, this system is flexible, but I just wanted to get some input from your experience related to these two topics of adding notes on a topic and how much space you provide for each entry. This system looks fantastic and I'm thankful for you sharing it in such detail.
This is such a wonderful and extremely helpful video! I’ve been using my Bible for the last 25 years and not only are the margins full and written every which way (like your examples), but the pages are highlighted, and full of note flip-outs, sticky notes, and added pages with maps, articles, meditation thoughts, study notes, quotes from my favorite authors, diagrams (especially helpful for camp/tabernacle understanding, visuals for Nehemiah’s wall rebuilding, etc.), well, you get the idea... it’s a beautiful mess and as much as I love it and use it every day, I need a better system, and something that will hold a lot of information in a better way moving forward! I believe that you (and Johnathan Edwards 😊) gave me the answer! Thank you so much! To Him be glory both now and for ever!
User tip on tabbing in paper. I’ve found that Tomoe River paper makes a 52 gsm paper similar to bible paper and it allows a lot more paper without stressing the binding like Copy paper
WOW !!! I've messed up a few bibles and for what. All the notes are incoherent and I have taken books and books of notes over the years, many of which are lost now. I'm up to the stationers on Monday morning for a new begining - a born again note taker. ☘️☝🏻☘️
I’m dyslexic so I use pencil so that I can erase when I do what we dyslexics do. Colored pencils can be erased too. ESV & NKJV make interleaved Bibles.
I used colored pencils for decades, before I lost my Bible in a flood. I used a calendar bookmark underneath so it didn’t break the page as I used the colored pencils to highlight. I also used notebooks book by book for my notes. Again they have been lost in a flood with all our items. But just the act of writing them out, helps me recall those things now as I come across the passages. Working to get back into that rhythm, but I’ve not settled on a physical Bible again, as mine is out of print. They’ve changed the version for the worse, and it was also a Thompson chain reference. Been learning Biblical Hebrew this last year + so I may just change to my fathers that he gave me.
I'm also Dyslexic and I used to do pencil but it started to fade so now I use pen and just not care if it misspelled. I just want the note right there in my journaling bible. I can read it and my family is used to reading my writing and that's all that matters. Weirdly highlighting actually helps Dyslexia. However I do at time write notes before I put it in my bible, because I get the spelling so far off sometimes I can't even figure out the first letter. I do want my notes to actually be readable as best I can.
I’m adding my tips here because I’ve been trying to get a good system going for a long time, and looked at inductive bible study (lots and lots of symbols there!) and also people who favour a really full on ‘more is better’ system of adding any style of tabs or fold out notes. Eclectic, let’s say. I think they find a blown out bible satisfying. And just like a well thumbed bible shows the owner reads it, they’re right. But once a friend was impressed to see my bible page had lots of notes and she pointed to it approvingly, and my heart sinned in pride for a second before I dismissed it. Less is better, or keep it for home use. I’ve made so many false starts. Yes this is the hands down most organised method I’ve seen and I think it’s wonderful, and will appeal to men, as well as the women who like to decorate their bibles. Thank you so much for presenting, and doing it so well. If any of you do like to make your bibles pretty I can recommend what’s going on with the Sisteritas channel, where they’re making a prayer bible, with tabs for particular topics or needs, to quickly find verses to pray for the salvation of unbelievers, or praise agog for who he is, etc, turning scripture into prayer. I’m finding that very refreshing when my prayers get a bit dry. It’s a dedicated small bible to just reach for when needed. Or you can use index cards on a ring etc. Another and more organised praying scripture system is to be found at Bible Notetaking with Katie. I like her ideas!
I use an external notebook, and it’s wonderful. It's extremely useful, especially when using various types of Bibles. I have study Bibles, devotionals, and I use both the KJV and ESV versions. The external notebook works with all of them seamlessly!
This is very helpful, thanks! Some ideas: - small stickers, I use colored dots - leaflets/post’ems/inserts - I’ve reduced my colors to x4 to help simplify things Matt’s symbols are excellent! And in conjunction with colored dots has greatly helped me to learn and make connections throughout the Bible ❤
Another helpful idea I saw was start your table of contents at the very last page and work forwards from there so you don't waste any pages. If you have 1000 pages, page 1000 is M1-25. page 999 is M26-50, etc...
Excellent info! Especially love the tabbing in and numbering everything. I make time to transfer paper notes to digital notes so they're searchable and that activity becomes a built-in way to review what I've written to reinforce concepts.
I love my digital Bible. I have a lot more room for notes on the page and I can add pages in it for extra notes, or have a separate note system that is accessible anywhere I go. I have not tried a separate note system though. I hope to eventually be able to hyperlink concepts together. I tried color-coded notes once but then had decision paralysis when the notes covered more than one color topic. lol
Thanks for your post. I feel your pain. We share some of the same feelings about color-coded notes, and (for me) writing notes in my Bible, which are "lost" until the next time I happen to turn to that page. I'm very interested to know what type of digital bible you're using that allows you to add notes and even extra pages. I am also investigating stand-alone note taking apps that allow hyperlinking between notes. I've tried several, but not found the right one, yet. When I do, I'll be sure to post a comment here.
@@bobanderson1727 Crossway has a digital ESV Bible, which is what I use in Goodnotes. I saved the file I wanted (they have different choices- dark/light, portrait/landscape) and opened it in GoodNotes. I use Apple products. You could also have a separate note-taking system/journal in the same folder as the Bible. The downside is that it’s not as quick to get to the verses as flipping through a physical Bible. Every page is hyperlinked though and it has all of the Books of the Bible added to the outline if you want to just jump to a book quicker.
Thank you, Pastor Matt, for taking the time to share this. I have reached the point in my study of scripture that I need to have a coherent note system. You have streamlined the process for me and I can't thank you enough. Have a blessed day!
Thank you, Brother; this is a blessing! I’d just prayed yesterday for God to guide me and put a Pastor across my path to help me in this area. The Lord is faithful, and here it is! Stay blessed and stay safe. 🙏📖🕯️🩵
😂 I hate you. 🤗 Now my brain is going 60 MPH, I’m on Amazon looking at note taking / journaling Bibles; clicking links to the pens and highlighters; deciding what notebook to go with; and how I’m going to re-configure my OneNote notes to make use of some of your brilliant ideas and suggestions. OK, I don’t really hate you, for those that can’t take a joke - but I’m upset with myself for not thinking of some of these myself. Because after seeing them, I want to smack myself like a ‘70s V8 commercial and say, I could have been taking better notes.
Habakkuk 2:2 God tells us to write down revelations and scriptures on separate paper. Revelation 22:18 and Deuteronomy 4:2 describes severe punishments for marking in the Bible
What it really means is take away you can always add references to the truth of the word you just can't change it to your own interpretation and remember the Old Testament was the law of Moses redeem through Grace through the New Testament
@@void9837 you are correct if someone is adding to God’s Word in order to change it as Satan did in the Garden of Eden or when tempting Christ on the mountain. Or the greedy, money grubbing, reprobates that put out a new perversion every year it seems now with some new alphabet soup naming convention. However, writing a note in for reference in 1 Samuel when David kills Goliath that points to later books where his mighty men killed the four brothers; which is why David took five stones to begin with - is not adding to or rewording God’s Word. Writing in the definition of a word; especially for those using the KJB, say in Proverbs where the writer uses the word “froward” and someone writes a note that this means perverse is not reinterpretation or changing anything nor adding to or taking away. This is quite literally doing what Christ did with the disciples when He explained what a particular parable meant.
Great video! I hope you consider putting some of this information on an insert/article page in the Edwards Study Bible. Perhaps in the Psalm 119 passage or another place concerning the importance of knowing the Word of God.
I’ve also known sticky notes to get really stuck in a bible with delicate pages, and lift off the ink when removed. If you just want to use them as tabs with notes, trim the glued area to be no wider than the inner margin and insert right into the central gutter, then they can stay there and they don’t obscure the text if you can flip them open to reveal it. Not too many or they swell the spine of the book.
Habakkuk 2:2 God tells us to write down revelations and scriptures on separate paper. Revelation 22:18 and Deuteronomy 4:2 describes severe punishments for marking in the Bible
I'm a big fan of the Arc, etc notebook systems, which are available all over now. They can be a little more expensive, but in my experience, are more expandable than 3-ring binders.
Thank you! I have been trying to figure out how to simplify my note taking and also make it practical and easy to reference so I can go back and remind myself of what I was noting.😊 I am going to put the miscellany method into practice. Thank you Matthew and Jonathan Edwards!
Great video! Do you treat your miscellanies notebooks as a commonplace book at all? I’m trying to create just one system for all aspects of my life, not one for Bible related notes and then another for the rest of my life. Suggestions?
Thank you so much for creating a video where you have put so many other bits and pieces together in one! I really appreciate it. Will make it much easier to reference back to in the future.
Thanks for posting this! I already employ some highlighting, symbols, and notes in my wide-margin Bibles, but adding the Edwards' system will take it up a notch or two. Looking forward to getting started!
My family got me the ESV Scripture Journal set a few months back. So one page is Scripture, and the page next to it is blank with lines. I think I'm still going to have a miscellanies notebook. A good example for my reasoning is Psalm 134. It's very short. 135 starts less than halfway down the page. Well, I don't want my notes on 134 to verge into the space for 135. So maybe I'll start my thoughts on 134, then add a "See M362" and continue my notes in the miscellanies book. I haven't worked out the details, but I know I'll want more paper. Great video! Thank you, Pastor!
This is great! I had high hopes that having a huge interleaved journaling Bible would contain all my notes, but I have come to realize that a study of one book pretty much takes up all the space even when I write small. Thank you for this idea!
I use a similar system but learned a lot in this video to add to it. When it comes to alphabetical order you don’t have to use a digital device. I added an alphabetical index at the end of my notebook. I always write and highlight the theme of my note and write it with the page into my index. For example: H heaven 2, 15, 34 healing 17, 22 That way I can look up if I have Bible quotes or notes on a specific topic in my notebook
Thank you for this helpful video. Ive been pondering this problem for quite some time, thinking there must be a way to code notes to specific bible passages. And I think you've just given me the answer. Thx again, and God bless you!
Same, I have wanted to be diligent to highlight, mark, circle, and box to better remember and understand and study scripture. But I’m scatter brained and not a very organized person, so I fear my Bible would be the same way.
😆I’m still adjusting to the idea of writing in a Bible. The note taking system is a very helpful idea! I have ordered a Bible that I bought specifically to write in. I don’t think I can bring myself to do that in a really “nice” Bible.
I started writing a summary in my own words of each scripture or group of scriptures in the margins. Made me think about what I was reading. "If you can't say it in your own words you don't know it." Worked pretty good except that it took a LONG time to get through a chapter.
Excellent video. I had quite a few take-aways that I will put into practice immediately. Your years of experience really shone through in your presentation. 😊Thank you
Thank you Sir! My current Bible is crammed with notes. I am about a year away from wearing it out and will gift it to my adult daughter. Then I can start over again. The learning never ends.
Pastor, I don't like writing in my Bible, I'm not knocking your suggestion but for me I rather use my computer. I do appreciate your journaling symbols. I can copy and paste the Bible references; commentary; analogy; inspiring antidotes., etc,. My problem is organizing my thoughts I find myself writing too much and remembering there is a time limit.
Brilliant, thank you so much! So tidy and comprehensive. I guess all those decorations people like are fun but I don’t think you can see clearly what you’ve got afterwards. This is elegant and will last. Thanks so much I’m a bookbinder by hobby and we call the fixing in of a page ‘tipping in’, but that’s because you can just put a thin narrow smear of pva glue glue down the inner edge, open your bible up carefully and insert, straight! No tab needed, but your way works as well. Close book for a while till dry. And don’t use too much glue or you gum pages together into the margin area, not good!
Super helpful video for me personally. It is the ultimate video on the topic for me. I am just finishing up a Bible read through and I started to think about my next read through and felt impressed of the Lord to slow way down next time and not worry about how long it takes even if 2 to 3 years. I am to meditate this time. I have decided to use a new wide margin in my case Schuyler Canterbury. I have been reviewing my old wide margins to learn what has worked well. My method in some ways similar to yours. I also reference journals and my Bible software. Want to settle on method before starting. By the way I use pencil instead of a pen. I use a more premium grade softer lead like 2B. The premium grade helps prevent smearing. The softer lead is darker without trying to press hard. I can go back 30 years to pencil markings and they still look clean pretty much just like when they were written. Being able to erase is very nice. And they have a better sketching capability. Of course people should use what is working well for them. Thank you Brother!
I use the Micron 005 because it is "thin" The wider pens gobble up space. Also, i insert pages by gluing them in with 3M stick-it glue - you can see how in RUclips videos
Great idea concerning the separate journal and the references within the margins. I think I will implement this at some point with a wide margin single column Bible.
I've been studying this off and on. I will call my miscellanies book Q-Miscellanies (Last name is Quinn) Notebook-C or C Note book (first name-little book that I carry all the time. will start all of them with a C-numbers will change). Pens( micron and Sharpie Felt Tip Pen) neither bleed. Highlighters (Mildliners and Bible Dry highlighters, and Blieve highlighters, no bleed, Mr. Pen ink pens and double lined pens (ghosting but no bleed). LOVE YOUR SYSTEM! Use blank pages or tip in pages in bible. My man Matthew E! Thanks a bunch. Off to finish setting this up.
Thank you for the video. I have been taking notes for years on my digital Bible (using Logos) and accumulated thousands of notes so far. I see editing and correcting (with growing understanding) of existing notes as one of the main advantages of a digital approach. I was wondering if you had an opinion on the best tools and practices for digital note taking.
I have officially started myself a misc notebook. Seems like it’s going to be the best system for me. Also starting fresh with a new LSB Bible next week so i should be able to keep it cleaner and less jumbled up. My crossway Esv is so crammed with writing and pages curling, pages were probably too thin to be writing much on anyway. It’s just turning into a mess.
Do you think there would be value to make a video comparing a physical system like this with a digital system? I do my note taking on my phone where I can group, tag, and search my notes. Not to mention all my notes are backed up on the “cloud” and available in my pocket at all times. And I can talk-to-text which saves some time. Can insert pictures as well. I certainly think there’s value to both, especially being someone who advocates for reading your physical bible over smart phone. But personally I rarely read my physical notes yet reference my digital notes often!
Thank you so much for the miscellaneous system in grateful I didn’t wanna mark my Bible or highlight cause it’s expensive and I wanna keep it pristine but this is amazing I’m gonna look more into it
I have another Leuchtturm journal coming next week to start building a miscellanies journal. I’ve always preferred to write in a journal over in my Bible since there’s plenty of room. I’ve never had an organized system for it all though. Thanks for the videos on the miscellanies. They’re a big help.
I use the same journal and categorize by year! I use it mostly for personal thoughts during Bible study and going deeper into a certain passage/thought.
In my experience the mildliners absolutely bleed through. Especially on the thin paper that crossway likes to use. I have the same set that is linked in the description. I tend to be a little heavy handed though. I have a Mr. Pen set that works really well with the drawback that they don't last very long and can dry out fast if you're not careful.
I’ve always been a firm believer that color coding things help speed up learning and remembrance. I also use mildliner markers. Grey-false prophets Pink-Marriage/women Blue-eschatology Red-abomination/Gods wrath Yellow-absolutes Green-suffering Purple-commandments Orange-random
Absolutely fantastic. Are you ok if I use this in discipleship stuff? I’ve often found believers who would love to develop a symbols system and yet haven’t. Obviously give credit to you for compiling all these thoughts. Also, I’d add that in a notebook system, you can print pages (long quotes from bible software, photo copied pages from commentaries, illustrations from magazines, newspapers, etc, and more) and tab them into those books as well. It keeps everything in one place for quick and fast reference. Love this. Thank you again!
Thank you for this - would you recommend that my 'X' notebook maybe be my 'sermon' notes and then I would add that to one of the corresponding M notes in my M book if they apply to a similar prior study on the same passage?
a good resource for Bible Study, Matthew, is NKJV/ NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible and Life Change workbooks by Intervarsity Press good notes/ articles
I have Bibles in a few places in my home. By my bed, my desk, my exercise equipment, my end table, and in my truck. That's so I have one everywhere. I also have a note pad, and pencil, to take notes. Then I put everything in one miscellaneous note book, and Bible.
Just finished the video. Great stuff. I need to focus with getting organized like this. Unrelated side note… regarding notebook X Your entry X007 (my number) you misspelled Postmil. I think you need to go back there and correct it ;) 😂 Keep these videos coming. May the Lord continue to bless you.
I've used the highlighters for years, just the 6 pack in from walmart. The Symbols looks like they actually could help me cause i run out of room fast. Just remember don't use the Black highlighters they seem like a good idea but they dont work well. 😉
Thank you very much for sharing your experience and your approach is very useful in Bibles where they don't have lot of margin space. I dont think we can get a Bible that has only printing on one side. it is very difficult to carry due to its size.
Thank you so much for this video. I myself have only been brave enough to underline God or Lord and then whenever they speak or speak through someone. I have never written anything as I don’t want to be “distracted” the next time I read, so each time I read passages, different things might stick out that didn’t before. This is a great system for taking notes and linking them to external means, I will definitely be trying this out. = )
IMMENSELY helpful, Matthew - thank you very much! I've just started my sixth-ever read through of the Bible (I'm using the ESV Illustrated Scripture Journals this time) and am only in Genesis 9, so I could switch easily if I decide to do so. The Miscellanies Method is fascinating to me - but what if, on your next look at the passage/verse, you want to add more to your first Miscellany? I think I remember you mentioning what you do on another video (which I'll have to go find) but you didn't mention it here.
I try to keep my note taking to a minimum. I'm cautious about outside influences. With my mind if I listen to outside influences (including myself) I miss things. As I grow I don't want my younger self influencing me so much. My notes tend to be clarification of words or references to other verses that shed light on the passage I'm reading. I can take notes in a notebook
Need assistance from the community with a question. I may be overthinking this. Lets say M001 Gen 1:1 Creation for example. Are the M numbers to be understood as Taxonomy numbers like Dewey decimal system. Where M001 written on a Bible page, will tell me that my Topic is Creation. In the same way that Dewey Decimal 200 is Religion. OR Are M numbers much more simple. A simple reference number, (akin to a primary key, unique identifier, or endnotes superscript number), not really dealing with taxonomies or collections. Akin to an author's note that you follow a superscript number to an endnotes section in a book. Greatful for the help. Hate that I cant figure it out.
Colored pencils, the very nice prismacolor ones are great for highlighting. Waaayyy better than ink. NO bleedthrough.
Colored pencils: the only way to go.
I never thought of using colored pencils…. This might be a game changer 😂😂😂
I started to use this system but I use a notebook with rings so I can move add or remove pages and makes it more flexible
Ever since watching this video I’ve researched other videos just to gauge what else is out there and I’ve got to say, this is the best system I’ve seen. I will definitely adopt this system. Just ordered a couple journals along with the pens and highlighters.
Same ,this one's the best I've seen
Beware of those solid gel bible highlighters, like a narrow crayon. They say they don’t bleed, and don’t seem to at first, but I used them on good paper, in a Cambridge bible, and 5 yrs later they have bled right through, and you now can’t tell which is the right or wrong side, the intended verse. The whole effect is little coloured clouds. Mine were also a bit gritty. Pink is especially bad.
I quit using them. They melted on my pages months later, and smeared
Your journal’s index could start at the back of your book, and your notes in the front. That way you don’t have to guess how many pages to leave because the two sections work towards the middle and will only meet when you finally run out of room.
this! this guy's living in 2099!
Someone please bring a guy to this Oscar!
Very smart. Also love how the other commenters assume you are a man, Bella.
This was my thought also: With a spiral notebook, notes in front, ToC in back, then they meet in the middle. I plan, however, to use looseleaf paper so I can add another page (or 10, lol) to each entry as I study more about specific passages or chapters. So in my thinking that through, it really doesn't matter as much with looseleaf as with a spiral exactly where my ToC and notes are arranged. 😊
Brown is a beautiful colour!
Depends on the context. 🙂
💯
I love keeping my notes in Notability on my tablet. I get all the benefits of handwriting plus the ability to add pages and move things around. All my notes in one place that synchs to multiple devices.
I just discovered this app and while watching this generous teaching was thinking about how to incorporate these suggestions into it on my tablet. What a blessing both are! We can even take picture of our Bibles to add the exact scripture to our notes! Praise the Lord!!!
I use Rocketbook for the same thing. Then on my PC, I have Scrivener. Which is great because you just make a new subsection and it populates a digital note card for the topic. Then you can put all your notes in that section just like typing a chapter.
I’ve been doing the Inductive Bible study way since 2010. I’m all about colors and symbols. When I open the pages of my bible that I’ve studied, just by glancing at the colors I can immediately tell what’s going on. Many thanks for some food for thought! Psalm 91
I good idea is to create a Google Sheets spreadsheet online, then create a Google form with only a few fields (synced to you spreadsheet):
1. Timestamp field (filled automatically upon form submission)
2. Your note code (filled manually-required fill-in)
3. Bible Verse/Chapter reference field (manually filled-required fill-in)
4. You note text field (filled manually-required fill-in)
5. A field for image upload (in case you want to upload an illustration- not required fill-in).
Then you're good to go. The advantages of this approach is that you can take notes with your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop PC, since that form is gonna be hosted online on Google. Moreover, one could sort the whole sheet by any field, filter by criteria, it's also easy to print, share and create PDF from it and back them up on another cloud, hard drive, etc.
If you want you can print it out once every 6 months in order to have a printed copy of your notes updated up to the date of printing.
I would love to try your suggestions, would it be possible for you to show an example by doing a video from... How to... etc, etc?! 🙏🏾
I have terrible penmanship and cannot write in a straight line. I much prefer online solutions, such as Obsidian. I will try your Google idea.
I apologize if I missed this, but I have one question on the notebook system. Let's say you enter in M001 on Creation from Genesis 1. You then go on about your note taking, but when you come back to Genesis 1:1 for whatever reason you think of more notes that tie into that same header. If you don't have any notes space between M001 and M002, would you put M001A and add that to the next available page or make a similar entry with a new number?
Also, it appears that each new number has a new page with the header layout provided. Am I getting that correct?
Obviously, this system is flexible, but I just wanted to get some input from your experience related to these two topics of adding notes on a topic and how much space you provide for each entry.
This system looks fantastic and I'm thankful for you sharing it in such detail.
He discusses this in his older miscellanies video at the 5 minute mark: ruclips.net/video/fqq-4-LiFVs/видео.htmlsi=ushg5PcZgDplaqsD
I watched your video on Edward's miscellaneous note taking system 2 years ago and I am at 248 entries so far.
This is such a wonderful and extremely helpful video! I’ve been using my Bible for the last 25 years and not only are the margins full and written every which way (like your examples), but the pages are highlighted, and full of note flip-outs, sticky notes, and added pages with maps, articles, meditation thoughts, study notes, quotes from my favorite authors, diagrams (especially helpful for camp/tabernacle understanding, visuals for Nehemiah’s wall rebuilding, etc.), well, you get the idea... it’s a beautiful mess and as much as I love it and use it every day, I need a better system, and something that will hold a lot of information in a better way moving forward! I believe that you (and Johnathan Edwards 😊) gave me the answer! Thank you so much! To Him be glory both now and for ever!
User tip on tabbing in paper. I’ve found that Tomoe River paper makes a 52 gsm paper similar to bible paper and it allows a lot more paper without stressing the binding like
Copy paper
Agreed! I’ve got a tone of notebooks with TRP, great for tipping in. A cheaper option will be stalogy notebook paper as well.
WOW !!! I've messed up a few bibles and for what. All the notes are incoherent and I have taken books and books of notes over the years, many of which are lost now. I'm up to the stationers on Monday morning for a new begining - a born again note taker.
☘️☝🏻☘️
I’m dyslexic so I use pencil so that I can erase when I do what we dyslexics do. Colored pencils can be erased too. ESV & NKJV make interleaved Bibles.
I used colored pencils for decades, before I lost my Bible in a flood. I used a calendar bookmark underneath so it didn’t break the page as I used the colored pencils to highlight. I also used notebooks book by book for my notes. Again they have been lost in a flood with all our items. But just the act of writing them out, helps me recall those things now as I come across the passages. Working to get back into that rhythm, but I’ve not settled on a physical Bible again, as mine is out of print. They’ve changed the version for the worse, and it was also a Thompson chain reference.
Been learning Biblical Hebrew this last year + so I may just change to my fathers that he gave me.
I'm also Dyslexic and I used to do pencil but it started to fade so now I use pen and just not care if it misspelled. I just want the note right there in my journaling bible. I can read it and my family is used to reading my writing and that's all that matters. Weirdly highlighting actually helps Dyslexia. However I do at time write notes before I put it in my bible, because I get the spelling so far off sometimes I can't even figure out the first letter. I do want my notes to actually be readable as best I can.
Print in interleaved Bibles is VERY small.
Erasable colored pens for me...I just love 'em.
Dyslexic here, if I’m not sure of how to spell something, it’s “Hay Siri how do you spell..and index cards. But I did use pins.
I’m adding my tips here because I’ve been trying to get a good system going for a long time, and looked at inductive bible study (lots and lots of symbols there!) and also people who favour a really full on ‘more is better’ system of adding any style of tabs or fold out notes. Eclectic, let’s say. I think they find a blown out bible satisfying. And just like a well thumbed bible shows the owner reads it, they’re right. But once a friend was impressed to see my bible page had lots of notes and she pointed to it approvingly, and my heart sinned in pride for a second before I dismissed it. Less is better, or keep it for home use. I’ve made so many false starts.
Yes this is the hands down most organised method I’ve seen and I think it’s wonderful, and will appeal to men, as well as the women who like to decorate their bibles. Thank you so much for presenting, and doing it so well.
If any of you do like to make your bibles pretty I can recommend what’s going on with the Sisteritas channel, where they’re making a prayer bible, with tabs for particular topics or needs, to quickly find verses to pray for the salvation of unbelievers, or praise agog for who he is, etc, turning scripture into prayer. I’m finding that very refreshing when my prayers get a bit dry. It’s a dedicated small bible to just reach for when needed. Or you can use index cards on a ring etc.
Another and more organised praying scripture system is to be found at Bible Notetaking with Katie. I like her ideas!
I use an external notebook, and it’s wonderful. It's extremely useful, especially when using various types of Bibles. I have study Bibles, devotionals, and I use both the KJV and ESV versions. The external notebook works with all of them seamlessly!
This is very helpful, thanks! Some ideas:
- small stickers, I use colored dots
- leaflets/post’ems/inserts
- I’ve reduced my colors to x4 to help simplify things
Matt’s symbols are excellent! And in conjunction with colored dots has greatly helped me to learn and make connections throughout the Bible ❤
Another helpful idea I saw was start your table of contents at the very last page and work forwards from there so you don't waste any pages. If you have 1000 pages, page 1000 is M1-25. page 999 is M26-50, etc...
Excellent info! Especially love the tabbing in and numbering everything. I make time to transfer paper notes to digital notes so they're searchable and that activity becomes a built-in way to review what I've written to reinforce concepts.
Thanks!
You bet!
I love my digital Bible. I have a lot more room for notes on the page and I can add pages in it for extra notes, or have a separate note system that is accessible anywhere I go. I have not tried a separate note system though. I hope to eventually be able to hyperlink concepts together. I tried color-coded notes once but then had decision paralysis when the notes covered more than one color topic. lol
Thanks for your post. I feel your pain. We share some of the same feelings about color-coded notes, and (for me) writing notes in my Bible, which are "lost" until the next time I happen to turn to that page. I'm very interested to know what type of digital bible you're using that allows you to add notes and even extra pages. I am also investigating stand-alone note taking apps that allow hyperlinking between notes. I've tried several, but not found the right one, yet. When I do, I'll be sure to post a comment here.
@@bobanderson1727 Crossway has a digital ESV Bible, which is what I use in Goodnotes. I saved the file I wanted (they have different choices- dark/light, portrait/landscape) and opened it in GoodNotes. I use Apple products. You could also have a separate note-taking system/journal in the same folder as the Bible. The downside is that it’s not as quick to get to the verses as flipping through a physical Bible. Every page is hyperlinked though and it has all of the Books of the Bible added to the outline if you want to just jump to a book quicker.
@@HomeLifeWithLove Thanks for your reply. I'm not familiar with that particular digital ESV Bible, but I'll check it out. It sounds very useful.
@@bobanderson1727 You are welcome. I hope it helps.
Am always benefitting from this channel.
Thank you, Pastor Matt, for taking the time to share this. I have reached the point in my study of scripture that I need to have a coherent note system. You have streamlined the process for me and I can't thank you enough. Have a blessed day!
Thank you, Brother; this is a blessing! I’d just prayed yesterday for God to guide me and put a Pastor across my path to help me in this area. The Lord is faithful, and here it is! Stay blessed and stay safe. 🙏📖🕯️🩵
😂 I hate you. 🤗
Now my brain is going 60 MPH, I’m on Amazon looking at note taking / journaling Bibles; clicking links to the pens and highlighters; deciding what notebook to go with; and how I’m going to re-configure my OneNote notes to make use of some of your brilliant ideas and suggestions.
OK, I don’t really hate you, for those that can’t take a joke - but I’m upset with myself for not thinking of some of these myself. Because after seeing them, I want to smack myself like a ‘70s V8 commercial and say, I could have been taking better notes.
Habakkuk 2:2 God tells us to write down revelations and scriptures on separate paper. Revelation 22:18 and Deuteronomy 4:2 describes severe punishments for marking in the Bible
What it really means is take away you can always add references to the truth of the word you just can't change it to your own interpretation and remember the Old Testament was the law of Moses redeem through Grace through the New Testament
@@void9837 you are correct if someone is adding to God’s Word in order to change it as Satan did in the Garden of Eden or when tempting Christ on the mountain. Or the greedy, money grubbing, reprobates that put out a new perversion every year it seems now with some new alphabet soup naming convention.
However, writing a note in for reference in 1 Samuel when David kills Goliath that points to later books where his mighty men killed the four brothers; which is why David took five stones to begin with - is not adding to or rewording God’s Word.
Writing in the definition of a word; especially for those using the KJB, say in Proverbs where the writer uses the word “froward” and someone writes a note that this means perverse is not reinterpretation or changing anything nor adding to or taking away. This is quite literally doing what Christ did with the disciples when He explained what a particular parable meant.
@@Rood67 You just don't want to repent. You like marking up your Bible so much.
Great video! I hope you consider putting some of this information on an insert/article page in the Edwards Study Bible. Perhaps in the Psalm 119 passage or another place concerning the importance of knowing the Word of God.
I’ve also known sticky notes to get really stuck in a bible with delicate pages, and lift off the ink when removed. If you just want to use them as tabs with notes, trim the glued area to be no wider than the inner margin and insert right into the central gutter, then they can stay there and they don’t obscure the text if you can flip them open to reveal it. Not too many or they swell the spine of the book.
This is by far the most useful and actionable Bible notetaking system video I've come across. Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Habakkuk 2:2 God tells us to write down revelations and scriptures on separate paper. Revelation 22:18 and Deuteronomy 4:2 describes severe punishments for marking in the Bible
Brilliant Bible note taking system you have. My new KJV Journal the Word Bible arrived today, I'm looking forward to putting these tips into practice!
Your journal could also be a loose leaf binder, still indexed, but you can insert extras and keep it in bible order. Or subject or whatever.
Then jottings could also be inserted safely until you have time to write them in neatly
This is also my idea, and I still haven't got round to copying everything from my journals into binders...but one day❤
Brilliant! Thank you!
I'm a big fan of the Arc, etc notebook systems, which are available all over now. They can be a little more expensive, but in my experience, are more expandable than 3-ring binders.
Thank you! I have been trying to figure out how to simplify my note taking and also make it practical and easy to reference so I can go back and remind myself of what I was noting.😊 I am going to put the miscellany method into practice. Thank you Matthew and Jonathan Edwards!
Great video! Do you treat your miscellanies notebooks as a commonplace book at all? I’m trying to create just one system for all aspects of my life,
not one for Bible related notes and then another for the rest of my life. Suggestions?
Thank you so much for creating a video where you have put so many other bits and pieces together in one! I really appreciate it. Will make it much easier to reference back to in the future.
Thanks for posting this! I already employ some highlighting, symbols, and notes in my wide-margin Bibles, but adding the Edwards' system will take it up a notch or two. Looking forward to getting started!
My family got me the ESV Scripture Journal set a few months back. So one page is Scripture, and the page next to it is blank with lines. I think I'm still going to have a miscellanies notebook.
A good example for my reasoning is Psalm 134. It's very short. 135 starts less than halfway down the page. Well, I don't want my notes on 134 to verge into the space for 135. So maybe I'll start my thoughts on 134, then add a "See M362" and continue my notes in the miscellanies book. I haven't worked out the details, but I know I'll want more paper.
Great video! Thank you, Pastor!
This is great! I had high hopes that having a huge interleaved journaling Bible would contain all my notes, but I have come to realize that a study of one book pretty much takes up all the space even when I write small. Thank you for this idea!
I love videos on topics such as this. I highlight in yellow the promises of God. But love your system.
I use a similar system but learned a lot in this video to add to it.
When it comes to alphabetical order you don’t have to use a digital device. I added an alphabetical index at the end of my notebook. I always write and highlight the theme of my note and write it with the page into my index.
For example:
H
heaven 2, 15, 34
healing 17, 22
That way I can look up if I have Bible quotes or notes on a specific topic in my notebook
Thank you for this helpful video. Ive been pondering this problem for quite some time, thinking there must be a way to code notes to specific bible passages. And I think you've just given me the answer. Thx again, and God bless you!
Same, I have wanted to be diligent to highlight, mark, circle, and box to better remember and understand and study scripture. But I’m scatter brained and not a very organized person, so I fear my Bible would be the same way.
Oh wow. This is a great and helpful video🙏. I never thought of highlighting my bible this way😳. Thank you!!!
This is so cute! I'm a huge journaling nerd and i love using colors in my notes so this was awesome to watch.
Wow this is brilliant! At first I wasn’t so sure but the more you explained it the more it just makes sense. Looking forward to trying it! Thanks! 🙏🏻
😆I’m still adjusting to the idea of writing in a Bible. The note taking system is a very helpful idea! I have ordered a Bible that I bought specifically to write in. I don’t think I can bring myself to do that in a really “nice” Bible.
I started writing a summary in my own words of each scripture or group of scriptures in the margins. Made me think about what I was reading. "If you can't say it in your own words you don't know it." Worked pretty good except that it took a LONG time to get through a chapter.
Great ideas and tips! Thank you so much. I’m starting today!
Pigma makes highlighters, too! Tiny fine highlighters!
Excellent video. I had quite a few take-aways that I will put into practice immediately. Your years of experience really shone through in your presentation. 😊Thank you
Thank you Sir! My current Bible is crammed with notes. I am about a year away from wearing it out and will gift it to my adult daughter.
Then I can start over again. The learning never ends.
Selah
I love the notebook system! I started a Zettelkasten this year and have been wondering how to tie my Bible into it!
This was extremely helpful and the best technique I have found so far! Thank you for sharing! Will definitely be utilizing this method for my studies!
Pastor,
I don't like writing in my Bible, I'm not knocking your suggestion but for me I rather use my computer.
I do appreciate your journaling symbols. I can copy and paste the Bible references; commentary; analogy; inspiring antidotes., etc,.
My problem is organizing my thoughts I find myself writing too much and remembering there is a time limit.
thanks, grateful from Manila, Philippines
This is excellent! Thank you!
Another excellent video brother, thank you for sharing!
Brilliant, thank you so much! So tidy and comprehensive. I guess all those decorations people like are fun but I don’t think you can see clearly what you’ve got afterwards. This is elegant and will last. Thanks so much
I’m a bookbinder by hobby and we call the fixing in of a page ‘tipping in’, but that’s because you can just put a thin narrow smear of pva glue glue down the inner edge, open your bible up carefully and insert, straight! No tab needed, but your way works as well. Close book for a while till dry. And don’t use too much glue or you gum pages together into the margin area, not good!
Must say, this is a very good Note taking and subjet note systems I seen.👍👍
Great system Matthew. I will definitely follow suit with my own symbols and colours. Thank you .
Very helpful video! Thank you again Pastor Matthew 🤙🏽
So many nuggets here. I have alot to work on with my notes. Thank you so much for this video. I will keep this video to refer back to regularly. 😊
Great advice. Thank you. I have an ESV large print journaling bible coming in the mail. Perfect timing.
Great video!! Love!! Love!!! the notebook idea. I think I may put my notes in a 5 x 8 three ring binder.
Super helpful video for me personally. It is the ultimate video on the topic for me. I am just finishing up a Bible read through and I started to think about my next read through and felt impressed of the Lord to slow way down next time and not worry about how long it takes even if 2 to 3 years. I am to meditate this time. I have decided to use a new wide margin in my case Schuyler Canterbury. I have been reviewing my old wide margins to learn what has worked well. My method in some ways similar to yours. I also reference journals and my Bible software. Want to settle on method before starting.
By the way I use pencil instead of a pen. I use a more premium grade softer lead like 2B. The premium grade helps prevent smearing. The softer lead is darker without trying to press hard. I can go back 30 years to pencil markings and they still look clean pretty much just like when they were written. Being able to erase is very nice. And they have a better sketching capability. Of course people should use what is working well for them. Thank you Brother!
I use the Micron 005 because it is "thin"
The wider pens gobble up space.
Also, i insert pages by gluing them in with 3M stick-it glue - you can see how in RUclips videos
The 005 is so tiny I feel like im gonna tear a page with the way I write, but it works fine for my wife. I like the 01. Micron pens are fantastic.
Great idea concerning the separate journal and the references within the margins. I think I will implement this at some point with a wide margin single column Bible.
I've been studying this off and on. I will call my miscellanies book Q-Miscellanies (Last name is Quinn) Notebook-C or C Note book (first name-little book that I carry all the time. will start all of them with a C-numbers will change). Pens( micron and Sharpie Felt Tip Pen) neither bleed. Highlighters (Mildliners and Bible Dry highlighters, and Blieve highlighters, no bleed, Mr. Pen ink pens and double lined pens (ghosting but no bleed). LOVE YOUR SYSTEM! Use blank pages or tip in pages in bible. My man Matthew E! Thanks a bunch. Off to finish setting this up.
I love adding pages for notes … but I am going to try the external notebook as well. Great info
Thank you for the video. I have been taking notes for years on my digital Bible (using Logos) and accumulated thousands of notes so far. I see editing and correcting (with growing understanding) of existing notes as one of the main advantages of a digital approach. I was wondering if you had an opinion on the best tools and practices for digital note taking.
I have officially started myself a misc notebook. Seems like it’s going to be the best system for me. Also starting fresh with a new LSB Bible next week so i should be able to keep it cleaner and less jumbled up. My crossway Esv is so crammed with writing and pages curling, pages were probably too thin to be writing much on anyway. It’s just turning into a mess.
Do you think there would be value to make a video comparing a physical system like this with a digital system?
I do my note taking on my phone where I can group, tag, and search my notes. Not to mention all my notes are backed up on the “cloud” and available in my pocket at all times. And I can talk-to-text which saves some time. Can insert pictures as well.
I certainly think there’s value to both, especially being someone who advocates for reading your physical bible over smart phone. But personally I rarely read my physical notes yet reference my digital notes often!
Physical writing is better for your brain.
Very practical. Guess I'll try it with my next Bible 😉
Good points, thank you! Even down to the "M" (Main) & "X" (Extra). God bless.
I was just watching your videos about this lol. Greetings from Argentina
It can be called a tip in.. can use tape too
Thank you so much for the miscellaneous system in grateful I didn’t wanna mark my Bible or highlight cause it’s expensive and I wanna keep it pristine but this is amazing I’m gonna look more into it
I have another Leuchtturm journal coming next week to start building a miscellanies journal. I’ve always preferred to write in a journal over in my Bible since there’s plenty of room. I’ve never had an organized system for it all though. Thanks for the videos on the miscellanies. They’re a big help.
I use the same journal and categorize by year! I use it mostly for personal thoughts during Bible study and going deeper into a certain passage/thought.
I love these types of videos ! Thanks brother
In my experience the mildliners absolutely bleed through. Especially on the thin paper that crossway likes to use. I have the same set that is linked in the description. I tend to be a little heavy handed though. I have a Mr. Pen set that works really well with the drawback that they don't last very long and can dry out fast if you're not careful.
I have the studio series bible highlighters. They are a wax type material so they aren't wet. Still visible through thin pages, though.
Instead of an asterisk, I use a number with a circle around it. I do this in case I have more than one note per page.
That's a great idea.
I’ve always been a firm believer that color coding things help speed up learning and remembrance. I also use mildliner markers.
Grey-false prophets
Pink-Marriage/women
Blue-eschatology
Red-abomination/Gods wrath
Yellow-absolutes
Green-suffering
Purple-commandments
Orange-random
I use a very basic color coding in the Bible app I use. I laughed reading yours because I use grey for any Old Testament messianic verses
@@JBB685 I read through New Testament 4 times last year. Started in New Testament this week and I’m probably gonna have to add more colors lol
Absolutely fantastic. Are you ok if I use this in discipleship stuff? I’ve often found believers who would love to develop a symbols system and yet haven’t. Obviously give credit to you for compiling all these thoughts.
Also, I’d add that in a notebook system, you can print pages (long quotes from bible software, photo copied pages from commentaries, illustrations from magazines, newspapers, etc, and more) and tab them into those books as well. It keeps everything in one place for quick and fast reference.
Love this. Thank you again!
Use it however!
A wonderful update and really helpful. Thanks so much!
I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you so much
Thank you for this - would you recommend that my 'X' notebook maybe be my 'sermon' notes and then I would add that to one of the corresponding M notes in my M book if they apply to a similar prior study on the same passage?
The video I’ve been waiting for!
Very interesting! Thanks so much for this informative and helpful video.
a good resource for Bible Study, Matthew, is NKJV/ NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible and Life Change workbooks by Intervarsity Press good notes/ articles
I have Bibles in a few places in my home. By my bed, my desk, my exercise equipment, my end table, and in my truck. That's so I have one everywhere. I also have a note pad, and pencil, to take notes. Then I put everything in one miscellaneous note book, and Bible.
I think I can use this method for my bible reading section. So helpful. Thank you, Matthew.
Just finished the video. Great stuff. I need to focus with getting organized like this.
Unrelated side note… regarding notebook X
Your entry X007 (my number) you misspelled Postmil. I think you need to go back there and correct it ;) 😂
Keep these videos coming. May the Lord continue to bless you.
I've used the highlighters for years, just the 6 pack in from walmart. The Symbols looks like they actually could help me cause i run out of room fast. Just remember don't use the Black highlighters they seem like a good idea but they dont work well. 😉
Thank you very much for sharing your experience and your approach is very useful in Bibles where they don't have lot of margin space. I dont think we can get a Bible that has only printing on one side. it is very difficult to carry due to its size.
Thank you so much for this video. I myself have only been brave enough to underline God or Lord and then whenever they speak or speak through someone. I have never written anything as I don’t want to be “distracted” the next time I read, so each time I read passages, different things might stick out that didn’t before. This is a great system for taking notes and linking them to external means, I will definitely be trying this out. = )
A good way to have distraction-free reading is one bible for study and another for devotional reading.
@@dianasharpe9484 I have slowly come to realize the same thing. 😁
IMMENSELY helpful, Matthew - thank you very much! I've just started my sixth-ever read through of the Bible (I'm using the ESV Illustrated Scripture Journals this time) and am only in Genesis 9, so I could switch easily if I decide to do so.
The Miscellanies Method is fascinating to me - but what if, on your next look at the passage/verse, you want to add more to your first Miscellany? I think I remember you mentioning what you do on another video (which I'll have to go find) but you didn't mention it here.
I try to keep my note taking to a minimum. I'm cautious about outside influences. With my mind if I listen to outside influences (including myself) I miss things. As I grow I don't want my younger self influencing me so much. My notes tend to be clarification of words or references to other verses that shed light on the passage I'm reading. I can take notes in a notebook
This is so detailed and helpful. I’ll definitely will use this method with my iPad in goodnotes app
Wondering whether it is better to use digital notebook for faster lookup and is always accesible online
Need assistance from the community with a question.
I may be overthinking this.
Lets say M001 Gen 1:1 Creation for example.
Are the M numbers to be understood as Taxonomy numbers like Dewey decimal system.
Where M001 written on a Bible page, will tell me that my Topic is Creation.
In the same way that Dewey Decimal 200 is Religion.
OR
Are M numbers much more simple. A simple reference number, (akin to a primary key, unique identifier, or endnotes superscript number), not really dealing with taxonomies or collections. Akin to an author's note that you follow a superscript number to an endnotes section in a book.
Greatful for the help. Hate that I cant figure it out.
Great video! Those notebooks look nice. Can you provide a link to the two different sizes you have?
Great ideas. Thank you!
If use 'lens' feature, can copy and transfer notes to phone or computer app such as 'W+'.