How I Take Bible Notes (Simple + Messy Method That Actually Works)

My Bible and I have been through a lot. Over the past thirty years of being a Christian I’ve had many Bibles. At times I’ve only highlighted or underlined my Bible, but as God began to grow in me a desire to love His word, I’ve come to see such a benefit in taking Bible notes. I’ll warn you though, this is not a one-size fits all method! My Bible doesn’t look perfect – and that’s why it works. 

Throughout the seasons of our lives we have to decide what our quiet time, Bible study time, and Bible reading time looks like. If you are reading and clicking through this blog post you already know you want to read your Bible – but you feel like maybe now is not the right season. Let me tell you something: any season is a good season to open God’s Word. 

How you do it, and how you study may vary – but remember. Just start today. 

What I Used to Think Bible Study Had to Be

I used to think my Bible notes and Bible study had to look like….structured, polished, deep every time. My perfectionistic tendencies were over the top when I first started taking Bible notes. I wanted to be neat but I also wanted to look pretty. I wanted my notes to look like the ones on Pinterest or Instagram. 

What used to be important was the color of the pens and my handwriting. If I didn’t have anything deep or profound to write, I struggled with what to put down on paper. Bible study had to be perfect on the outside. I missed that Bible study and my notes wasn’t about being correct but connection!  

What Changed (The “Messy Bible” Shift)

Finally, I began to give myself permission to do it differently. In a time of desperation, when Bible study became a way for me to connect to God I began to write imperfect thoughts. There were many times I underlined phrases or verses and just simply put a question mark beside it. Sometimes I didn’t even look up what that verse or phrase meant, I just left the note unfinished. 

The shift to the more “messy Bible” was rooted in a desire to just respond to Scripture. My thoughts would flow and occasionally I came up with some deep insight. More often, however, my sentences were not complete. I wrote one-word phrases. There were times I connected verses together when I thought about it.  My response reflected my mood, my heart at the moment. My Bible notes became less like class-taking-notes and more like a sweet diary, recording my journey with God. 

My Simple Note-Taking Process

Get ready. I’m about to share with you my simple note-taking process. You might be underwhelmed. Let’s break this into steps:

Step 1: Read slowly

Step 2: Notice one thing

Step 3: Write anything (even if it’s small)

Step 4: Respond (prayer, question, truth)

What My Bible Actually Looks Like

If you want to see my Bible, you can scroll through my Instagram to see some examples. But here are some things you might see: 

• Half sentences
• Arrows
• Scribbles
• Prayers
• Questions
• Stickers! 

This method of messy-Bible notes works because it removes the pressure for perfection. You are not reading your Bible and taking notes for it to “look good.” You are doing it for clarity of what you are reading and connection. This method also builds consistency. I find that when the pressure is off of perfection I can freely come to God, with my imperfections, and just respond. I have also found that keeping notes this way is about focusing on God first and foremost. 

Let your Bible be messy because your life is real….and sometimes messy. 

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