Let's take some notes!

You asked for it so I provided!

I must say, I was SO excited to plan for this post. I spent AGES planning it out and (trying) to write neatly so that it looked nice. Conveniently, when I put this up on Instagram I was almost at the end of Joshua so I thought I would time it nicely with the beginning of Judges to show how I show a new book.

So here it is!! I must give credit to Milena Ciciotti who I drew a whole bunch of insight from so thank you Milena! If you want to go see her awesome tips for studying the bible just click ==> here <==

So, without further ado, here is how I study the bible.

The trick that I start off with is getting EVERYTHING ready. I don't like starting off and then having to get up and find something else that I missed. So here it is, everything I use to study the bible. I have my pens in a box that I leave in my locker at uni. Of course you need to have ALL colours :D make it pretty.

I also find it a necessity to have coloured tabs. You'll see why later on but I find them so important mark down, what is important! All that's left is a pretty notebook, my bible and coffee. I guess coffee isn't a necessity but it's nice to have something to sip on. Feels quite homely.

Now I must point out that this Bible is for when I'm at home and generally for when I start a new book. I have a different one in my locker for when I am studying at uni. This one I received from my brother for a birthday present last year and I am BEYOND over the moon.

It's called the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible and it has awesome pages spread throughout that give information on the 'Historical Context' of the book, where it was set, other well-known texts that were written at the same time and little (sometimes BIG) footnotes explaining certain phrases and what they would have meant at the time they were written. Something that I have found SUPER helpful considering we live in a VERY different time period and context.

Each new book starts with a bit of info on the specific book. I take notes on these important parts as well to help set the scene for the book I'm about to read.

I've linked the website we got it off ==> here <== in case you are interested. I got the NIV version but I'm pretty sure you can also get KJV

So now that we have all our resources and we've lit some candles, let's get studying!

My first place to start is to put on some music. This was my first time trying it and I have done it everyday since taking the photos for this post and I love it. Milena got me onto it. In her video she said that it helps her to tune out all the other distractions. Your mind is going to naturally wonder anyway and why not wonder to worship music than the neighbours dog barking or something totally non-related. I would absolutely recommend this!! The playlist that I put on was on Spotify. It was created by Lauren Daigle and it is called Worship Wednesdays.

If you want a place to start, this =====> is what I would recommend :)

So at the moment I am working through the Read Scripture app. I have two reasons for this.

1. I have never read through the entire Bible before. I know... everyone says they've done it by the age of 20 at least once but I just never did! I was always a pick and book and read it kind of gal. So I thought that this fun and interactive way would encourage me to read from cover to cover

2. It's made by the Bible Project. And I must say, this is the biggest reason I did it. I love their videos and the way they teach. Anyone who is a visual person like me, or who struggles to see the overall theme of the book/chapter I would TOTALLY recommend using this app or watching the Bible Project videos. It finally ALL makes sense!!! Not only do they do book videos but broader themes as well like Transgression, the Shema, or word studies.

So as you can see, I started Judges. The front pages shows you what you are up to and what you are going to watch/see during that study. Since it was the beginning of the book I watched the video for Judges and read Judges 1-3.

Another cool thing about this study is that you read a Psalm each day as well. Interestingly enough, I've found that the Psalm often relates to what you've just read in the other part of the Bible!! I don't know if that was intentional or if I'm reading into things but it definitely helps me to remember it a lot better. God certainly works in mysterious ways.

In the next photo you can see how I headed up a new book in my page. I go on Pinterest to find some cool calligraphy handwriting styles. I've linked my board so you can have a look at some of the stuff I'm using. So I'll head it up all nice and pretty (or at least try to) and follow it up with something else. This time I used washi tape because I am an AWFUL artist and I thought that instead of trying, I'd just take the easy route.

Just a quick word of advice. I would totally recommend writing the title in pencil first so you can alter it. I am notorious for being lazy and doing it straight in pen and screwing it up. Just take some extra time and do it right :P

Whoops. Forgot to take a photo of it all finished before I started taking my notes so here is the final product as a full photo :P

So I took two pages of notes. Of which I have put up there :D

The first section (Key Concepts and Historical Background) is what I took from the first page of my Historical Contexts Bible. Just to help me understand the stuff. And then I start off my writing. So I generally won't copy out verses. Because Judges is more of a narrative I will just write out key concepts of what is happening.

EG. The Israelites broke the covenant. This helps me to think "what covenant" and I start to construct a story line from the past few books to now.

I start off a heading for each chapter to give the context (e.g. Israel Fights The Remaining Canaanites). And here the tabs come in!!! Anything super key I put my coloured tabs next to so it stands out.

For example, something I found super interesting is that the Israelites spared the life of a man and his family who helped them take a city. For two reasons:

1. It shows God's mercy. He wasn't just trying to wipe them out, he still shows redemption and is willing to save those who turn from their sinful ways

2. It harks back to Rahab!!!! I didn't know how close these stories were before but it is showing continuity in God's character

To finish it all off I have a prayer book. This helps me to not only track what I've prayed over time so I can go back and see where God has answered my prayers, but it also helps me to... well pray in the first place. I am such a checkbox person. I just want to tick things off my list. So I get in the habit of reading my bible, check it's done!, but I don't actually think of the bigger picture. I don't pray and acknowledge that it is through the Bible that God reveals Himself to me. I can't just read, I have to communicate too. Haha, coming back to the theme of this blog in the first place, communication.

Sorry guys, I will not be showing you inside my prayer book though! Confidentiality and all. But this is a basic outline of what I cover.

• Friends who need God to move in their lives

• Friends who are investing in me and building me up

• Mentors

• Family

• Luke and I's relationship

• Work

And I will add in anything else that is relevant or pressing at that specific time in my life. For example, this morning I really felt compelled to pray for the people in my life who are in dating relationships.

And that's about it!! I hope that you have enjoyed this blog and it gives you some inspiration and desire to read the Bible in a new and creative way!

I'd love to hear how you read the Bible and how you've learnt to really dig in.

Until later,

Michaela.

#biblereading #biblenotes #readscriptureapp #bibleproject #milenaciciotti #nicenotebook #inspiration #christianblogger