So, did you make an outline of the book of Job? How did it go? The first time I went through it, I actually found it exhausting. Ha. It’s a long book. It also made me realize just how much dialogue there was. Job must have been so tired after each of his friends’ monologues! Right!? I wouldn’t have noticed all this without first writing an outline.
But out of all the steps in Bible study, I think my favorite is the one we are going over today! I can’t wait! I’m going over how to mark the text.
What does it mean to mark up the text?
Marking up the text is basically taking the text apart. It’s trying to notice the little and big of the story. The tiny details; but the big stuff, too.
You look at the Word and ask questions. Lots of questions. Marking up the text helps us look for specific ideas in scripture. When we find these ideas, we mark them in a certain color. You can use a high lighter or pen for marking. I prefer pens because I usually take notes in the margin as well.
I made a Bible Marking System. Feel free to print it out, and put it in your folder. But there are other Bible Marking Systems online that can help you. Some are very detailed, and some are simple. Do what works for you! Maybe even combine a few together. The important thing is moving forward! I think of it as a game…I know, I’m sort of a nerd. But for me, it’s fun to find all this stuff in Scripture. It’s like playing “Where’s Waldo?,” except better.
Explaining Bible Marking
The printable is pretty basic and self explanatory, but let me go over the color system at the top. The color system acts a key. You mark that particular topic with that specific color. For example, any time God the Father is mentioned, you would underline/highlight it in dark blue. But listen, if you don’t care about the colors, and it’s not really your thing, scrap it. Grab that black pen and just go for it! Do what works for you. The important part of it all is to get your mind thinking on scripture.
Marking the Text Is Not About Perfection
I’m not sure what type of person you are, but you may look at the list above and get overwhelmed. You may be thinking, “What if I do it wrong? I don’t have time for this. This is a lot!!” And it is. I completely agree. But one, we make time for what’s important to us. And two, if you find it overwhelming, start small. Pick five things on the list and start there. We are all busy. We are all going through something. Just move forward. Do something. Don’t give up.
Why Should I Mark the Text?
DL Moody wrote about the importance of marking your Bible. He said, “Bible-marking should be made the servant of memory; a few words will recall a whole sermon. It sharpens the memory, instead of blunting it, if properly done, because it gives prominence to certain things that catch the eye, which by constant reading you get to learn by heart.” DL Moody was discussing Bible marking in the context of preaching, but it could also be said of Bible Study. Marking the text during Bible Study will help us remember. What you find and write down in your own personal Bible Study will resonate in your mind long after you’ve studied it. There will be ownership. It’s different when you find it yourself versus when someone else finds it for you.
Marking the Text of Job
So, where do we start? Do you remember that outline you wrote for the book of Job? Well, it’s time to get that out again. We are going to use the outline to choose the section of scripture from Job that we will begin marking.
Now, if you are like me, I was a bit unsure of my outlining skills. Did I do it right? Maybe I missed something? If you are having doubts over your outline, use a Study Bible to check your work. In the beginning of each individual book of the Bible, a Study Bible will usually have an outline of the entire book. This outline breaks down the whole book for you. Because I was unsure of my outline, I checked my Study Bible’s outline. My outline was nothing like the outline in the Study Bible. Ha! But that’s Ok. I’m glad I checked it. I combined some of the ideas in the study Bible outline with my own original outline.
The Study Bible I’m using is the Women’s Study Bible ESV Version from Crossway. In their outline, the first section is all about what they call the prologue. It goes from Job 1:1-2:13. This is the first section that I’ll be marking up. I’m going to print this specific section of scripture and put in my folder. If you would rather purchase a copy of Job instead of printing out the book, check out this journal. I prefer printing my own copy because I get more space for marking; but you do what works best for you.
Conclusion
I’m so excited!! I love this part of Bible Study so much. For the next two weeks, I’m going to printing Job 1:1-2:13 and mark it up! Digging into God’s word is fun. You will be shocked at the tiny bits of treasure you’ll find that you never knew were there!! It’s my favorite. So what do you think? How are you doing with this study? Or how are you doing with Bible study in general? Are you doing it? What makes it hard for you? I want you to know I’m cheering you on. I know life is busy, and making time for Bible study has to be done intentionally. Keep chugging! Don’t give up. Even if it means setting aside one hour a week, start there! I promise it will be worth it.
