Do you write in your Bible?

Is the physical Bible sacred? If so is that why one would choose not to make notes within it?

ChicanaRose said:

Do you write in, highlight, or mark your Bible? If so, how has it been helpful?

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No, the only "bible" I've ever marked is one of those grey Jehovah's witnesses bibles because it has so many translation mistakes in it.

Most of my markings are cross-references. For instance, as I read 1 Samuel 21:5 I realized it pertained to 2 Samuel 11:11...it's the reason Uriah refused to spend the night with his wife Bathsheba when David invited him to do so. So I cross-referenced those two verses in the margins.

I can't bring myself to do it. Weird, I know.

At my age, I've worn out a few Bibles. I can't figure out how to dispose of them either. Putting them in the trash just seems wrong.

Jamsie said:

Is the physical Bible sacred? If so is that why one would choose not to make notes within it?

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That's actually a really interesting question that I've thought a lot about. It occurred to me that maybe the original manuscripts would be considered Holy while our meager translations are just that, a translation. That said, I believe that God's Word is so incredible with it's hidden foreshadows laden all throughout, that the translation becomes secondary. God is more Powerful than translations, which is why I read them all.

Jamsie said:

Is the physical Bible sacred? If so is that why one would choose not to make notes within it?

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As I said in a previous post I make it a habit to make notes in my bible. Perhaps one reason is the blessing from reading the notes and passage thoughts from both my grandfather and father's bibles. What a precious gift to pass on for in many ways it is insightful as to their journey, and too that perhaps my children will be blessed by the journey portrayed in the notes and thoughts as it gives a very personal dimension to my spiritual/Christian walk.

In my own Bible since I not only make notes but also the date of readings, it calls to mind both dark and joyous moments of my walk, and the passages/verses that impacted those times. Notes and thoughts can call to me a "depth of riches" to a verse or passage arrived at by careful study or an insightful sermon. (1 Cor. 2:14- "Human knowledge must be understood to be loved, Divine knowledge must be loved to be understood".) Yes, I have notebooks from Bible studies and theology courses however with various moves some have been lost, and not always convenient to have at hand. I appreciate too the obvious intense study found in these passed down Bibles that bear witness to "Thy word is a lamp..." and "Study to show thyself...". And too as noted the recollection of friends both present and those who've passed with verses that have impacted their lives... Walt H. - Nahum 1:7 - to meet or know him was to understand that Christ defined his life, T.O.Chisholm - Lamentations 3:22-23 - a ministry partner with my grandfather, Harry H. - Psalm 3:4 - "Think of it", Jack C. - 2 Cor. 5:15 -who died of pancreatic cancer and his personal testimony was extraordinary, Joan D.- Romans 5:3-5 - arose from an abused and very difficult past, and others. So perhaps I view my Bible further as a personal testimony, a diary, a celebration of others, and that which is studied with sufficient delicacy.(GKC)

RDKirk said:

My primary study bible has nearly 40 years of margin notes. Most of those are places where one passage refers in some way to another passage or reinforces another passage, and the Holy Spirit has revealed the connection.

I've either got to find a bookbinder who can repair it or resign myself to spending a whole lot of time transferring notes to a new one.

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I have repaired multiple books whose covers have separated from the spine...using any good glue, then letting it sit flat for a few days...even with some weight on it.
BTW, copying "all those notes" really helped my memory problems regarding locations of certain verses.
Especially after having done the copying several times.

ChicanaRose said:

Do you write in, highlight, or mark your Bible? If so, how has it been helpful?

Do you use a certain color coding system?

Do you have a sample page you would like to show us?

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I use Biblehub (Best all around reading and quick reference), Biblegateway (Comparing chapters side by side in multiple translations), OpenBible (a great source for tons of cross references), Blue Letter Bible (Key word searches with Strong #'s), and the Olive Tree program and or app (for changing it up a bit). I write Biblical articles and notes in my Google Documents.

ChicanaRose said:

I tried highlighting in my Bible but also found it distracting. It takes my focus off of other passages that the Holy Spirit may be trying to provide me with a fresh perspective on.

I recommend "H" number 4 drafting pencil. You can still erase but the lead doesn't smear.

I also like the transparent bookmark tabs. I can place them over the passage temporarily and still peel them off.

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Sounds like some good ideas but I never heard of the transparent tabs.

ChicanaRose said:

Do you write in, highlight, or mark your Bible? If so, how has it been helpful?

Do you use a certain color coding system?

Do you have a sample page you would like to show us?

Click to expand...

Absolutely

Jason0047 said:

I use Biblehub (Best all around reading and quick reference), Biblegateway (Comparing chapters side by side in multiple translations), OpenBible (a great source for e\tons of cross references), Blue Letter Bible (Key word searches with Strong #'s), and the Olive Tree program and or app (for changing it up a bit). I write Biblical articles and notes in my Google Documnts.

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I find those sites useful when I'm online. Do you also use a paper bible?

ChicanaRose said:

Do you write in, highlight, or mark your Bible? If so, how has it been helpful?

Do you use a certain color coding system?

Do you have a sample page you would like to show us?

Click to expand...

I don't write in books period, they annoy me more than help me haha (unless it is a pdf or ebook).

Sometimes. Typically I underline, star and date when the Holy Spirit takes me to a specific chapter or verse. It’s interesting to go back to a verse and see He took me there a year or so earlier. Also it’s amazing when I pray using the Bible. God will answer my heart through sending verses in His word. Those times I underline and star or add some writing in a separate notebook such as His answer to the questions I am burdened by.

ChicanaRose said:

Thank you for sharing the pages from your Bible! I see how you used highlighting to summarize "Abigail quickly" "became his wife." This is a different and interesting approach. God bless you.

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Exactly! It's kind of an odd thing that I do, but now that God has apparently shown this to me, I have really found a tremendous value. I also discovered how to use the different colored pens without it being a hassle. You never actually shut the pens ALL the way, but shove them in until they reach that spot to prior to forcing them into place. They never dry out and it's like having them on hand instantly without the two-handed hassle....one hand in the Bible and the other getting the next pen. I also like changing the colors by a blind drawing each day....keeps things from becoming bland and boring.

ChicanaRose said:

I like the use of symbols. It reminds me of the Inductive Study Bible and the method by Kay Arthur.

I also like the idea of using Crayola. Highlight/ ink bleed-through is a major concern, since Bible pages are so thin!

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https://www.amazon.com/Accu-Gel-Bib...id=1556158195&s=gateway&sprefix=bible+&sr=8-4

These highlighters are awesome. Highly recommend.

LynnSmith said:

https://www.amazon.com/Accu-Gel-Bib...id=1556158195&s=gateway&sprefix=bible+&sr=8-4

These highlighters are awesome. Highly recommend.

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I almost drooled on myself when I saw what's on the packaging/labeling. I know what my next purchase is. haha