How to Mark a Bible

How to Mark a Bible
By an eHow Contributor

Over 30,000 verses grace the 66 books of the Bible. To say the Bible is complex is an understatement. Highlighting important parts of the text helps control this complexity. Marking special areas of interest or passages for personal enjoyment is a good way to locate, index and visually track important themes and topics. Adding personal comments in the margins next to a special verse personalizes your reading.

Difficulty:
Moderately Easy

Instructions
Things You'll Need

* Bible
* Dry colored Bible markers
* Colored pencils
* Mechanical pencil with thin lead
* Colored ink pens

1.
Build a Personal Index Page
* 1

Make a personal index page in the back of your Bible. Define your colors, symbols and abbreviations. Organize using a column for colors, another for symbols and one for abbreviations.
* 2

Dab a color from your pen or marker and write what it means under the color column.
* 3

Draw each symbol you use and define it in the symbols column.
* 4

Define a list of topical abbreviations you'll write next to the verse margins. For example, a "P" could stand for prophecy. Write "P" next to a prophetic verse or passage. The letter "L" could mean law and "G" grace. Your list continues growing as themes are discovered through your readings.
* 5

Add new information to the index each time you use a new marking. Key is to stay on top of this. The guess work is taken out as you flip to your index to find the right color or symbol when you want to mark a verse.
Highlight Important Themes and Topics
* 1

Mark any verse containing themes such as the nature of God, sin, salvation, judgment and eternity. You might highlight an entire passage, verse or word depending on preference. If you're using colors choose a separate one for each theme. Always use the same colors throughout the Bible. This helps when you glance through the pages to find the same teachings.
* 2

Highlight certain key words repeated in a chapter. Visually seeing word distribution helps understand central themes. For example, Apostle Paul writes the word "sin" 37 times in Romans. However, most are found in chapters 6 and 7 where the word appears 26 times. Underline each word in pencil, ink or color according to your preference.
* 3

Draw symbols in the margins with pencil or ink for personal reference. Triangles, circles, boxes, stars, the cross and smiley faces are good symbols for important verses. You decide the meaning behind the symbol. For example, circle a verse number for devotional readings or place a cross in the side margin to represent verses relating to Jesus.
* 4

Add a brief note. Write personal reflections and comments about a verse or passage in the margin columns. You might find a verse especially uplifting or one that answers a question you might have.
* 5

Underline key parts of a verse or passage. Do this sparingly because underlining too much makes it difficult to understand the reason for the underline. Key words, names of people, places, a passage with a special blessing or warning are good to underline.
* 6

Jot down important verses in the back of your Bible. Use a blank page and label their theme or topic next to it. You might want blessings, promises and gospel presentations as topics. Choose topics meaningful to you and enter book, chapter and verse.

Tips & Warnings

*

Remember our Bibles are copies and not the original manuscripts. Coloring and underlining aide personal devotions and study--it is not wrong to mark your Bible.
*

Never use color markers that bleed through paper. It is best to use Bible markers that are designed for such use. Dry highlighters and special marking pens are best.