writing in your Bible

[hindsey]

I have a brand new Cambridge wide-margin (KJV of course) Bible that was given to me as a gift. I know the Bible cost over $100 (I wish they hadn't spent that much on it, but they did). So, I am being very careful how I handle it, etc. hoping for it to last a long time for me.

Anyway, my question is: do any of you have any "systems" of writing your notes in your Bibles? I'm always afraid of writing something down and then a few months later realizing that I misunderstood what was being said, or when the preacher preached on that verse, he really was "stretching..."

Anybody have any thoughts?

 

[CPman2004]

I always had problems writting in books, and my Bible even more so. I think it took me a lot of courage to highlight a couple verses I personally don't write notes in my Bible, nor highlight as much (think I got overwhelmed when I did ). However, I see some Bibles just covered with notes. So whatever floats your boat I guess.

 

[GreenEyedLady]

Use a pencil. And write write write. I have bibles that I wrote in that I am saving for my children. My grandfather wrote in his, I love that I can read his thoughts while reading God's word. Think of who will read it later!!!
GEL

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

it took me forever to even highlight a verse, because it felt like i was defaming the Bible or something, but now I highlight or underline alot. keep a notebook always with your Bible, and if you don't want to write in the Bible, just jot notes down in the notebook. that way you can read the verse, pray over it, describe what it means to you at that particular time and when you go back, you can see what God was doing at that time. pretty cool.

 

[Gwenyfur]

My great grandfather was a preacher, and I have recently been given his Bible...
I can't tell you the joys I've found in reading the notes he'd scrawled in the margins..the underlinings....everything....even notes on the footnotes...

The Bible I have had since 6th grade looks like a rainbow of color from the highlighting and underlinings. The notes in the margins are irreplaceable studies and a story of my growth as a Christian....even after 14 years of wandering in paganism, demonology and necromancy...I was able to turn to the Lord, turn to the notes found in that Bible and find the Lord still there waiting for me...

I've a new Bible now....my old Scofield started falling apart literally at the seams...but...it's safely retired only to be brought out when I'm searching for a whisp of a memory of one of those notes in the many margins....

So write....my husban and children will know the story of my life with Jesus ... just from those notes in my margins....from Bible to Bible ... the story of my walk with the Lord is recorded for any and all to read...

 

[hindsey]

For my high school graduation, 10 years ago now, my mother gave me her Bible, and on top of her personal notes, on each page she wrote something to me on it. You've all encouraged me to write in it. But, I do like the idea of putting it into a notebook first, and then transferring the "important" stuff into the Bible. I just don't know if I would be disciplined enough to do that.

 

[WhoeverLovesGod01]

I underlined the Lord's Prayer.

 

[arunma]

I'm also pretty nutty about writing in books. It doesn't have anything to do with "desecrating" the Bible, but as a college student, I suppose some voice in the back of my mind is saying "no, you need to sell it back at the end of the semester!" So for us, there's always E-sword. If you go to www.e-sword.net and download their program, you can create your own commentary and write whatever you want.

One of my friends has a similar alternative. He opens up a Microsoft Word file every time he studies the Bible (I think he creates a new file for each book), and writes his thoughts as he is reading. You could try that too.

 

[mesue]

I have that same Bible. I love it. The only thing that would make it better is if the font were increased. So, I only bring it to church. My every morning Bible has large print. That Bible is written in, underlined, and highlighted and worn.

I use dry highlighters and a pen to write in the margins. I am very particular of what I write in my Bible. I mostly write about how God spoke to me. I do highlight a lot. My sister in law uses a pencil to write in hers so the ink does not go through to the other page. That's one of those things that I say to myself "That's a good idea." and never get around to doing.

I write in my Bible because I want to leave a legacy of faith to my children and grandchildren. I want them to see that this is a Book to interact with, not just to read.

I love e-sword!

 

[novcncy]

I have a brand new Cambridge wide-margin (KJV of course) Bible that was given to me as a gift. I know the Bible cost over $100 (I wish they hadn't spent that much on it, but they did). So, I am being very careful how I handle it, etc. hoping for it to last a long time for me.

Anyway, my question is: do any of you have any "systems" of writing your notes in your Bibles? I'm always afraid of writing something down and then a few months later realizing that I misunderstood what was being said, or when the preacher preached on that verse, he really was "stretching..."

Anybody have any thoughts?

NICE BIBLE!! I have the same one, actually bought it twice (a long story) Wish someone had given it to me, though. Watch the binding.

What do you suppose those wide margins are for? As far as taking notes during preaching or whatever, you could use a notebook, and save the actual Bible for things you are absolutely sure are right. I wish more folks were not so gullible about everything that comes out of their preacher's mouth. I think it's wise to review and verify something someone says.

 

[hindsey]

NICE BIBLE!! I have the same one, actually bought it twice (a long story) Wish someone had given it to me, though. Watch the binding.

What do you suppose those wide margins are for? As far as taking notes during preaching or whatever, you could use a notebook, and save the actual Bible for things you are absolutely sure are right. I wish more folks were not so gullible about everything that comes out of their preacher's mouth. I think it's wise to review and verify something someone says.

Good point on the wide margins!

 

[novcncy]

Hindsey,

As a parenthetical to your question...I previously mentioned for you to keep an eye on the binding. Mine is going bad, much to my dismay. However, I know a missionary to NZ who had his Bible (Cambridge, Wide Margin) rebound with a blank sheet in between every printed sheet. It's a beast to be sure, but he's got his semon outlines in there, along with enough space for a lifetime of notes. Imagine inheriting THAT Bible!! So, I may do the same thing, as it seems I will have to get it rebound. So anyway, FWIW, I thought I would tell you about that.

 

[hindsey]

thanks - how old is your Bible, that the binding is going bad?

 

[jcright]

Don't know if it was mentioned yet, but use chalk. My mom does that for her bible. She chalks up her bible and then uses a kleenex or a chamois to wipe it off.

 

[McDLT]

My suggestion - just write in it. If you are wrong you can always go back and cross it off. If you use a pencil, you can always erase it. The point is learning.

I tried systems for writing in my bible. Let's just say, I got lost and confused and there are not as many colours as I want. Although I do find underlining in pencil crayons is a good idea. They are dry and don't cost as much.

Just enjoy your Bible and the whole learning process.

 

[novcncy]

thanks - how old is your Bible, that the binding is going bad?

Not quite two years, (I think )

 

[RED that's ME]

I can see both sides of writing/not writing in your Bible.
I do highlight and write notes in my Bible sometimes you lose tract of notes or have so many it's hard to find them. Sometimes it's nice to reread the notes and make what you learned the first time even stronger in your mind.

 

[ZiSunka]

I have a brand new Cambridge wide-margin (KJV of course) Bible that was given to me as a gift. I know the Bible cost over $100 (I wish they hadn't spent that much on it, but they did). So, I am being very careful how I handle it, etc. hoping for it to last a long time for me.

Anyway, my question is: do any of you have any "systems" of writing your notes in your Bibles? I'm always afraid of writing something down and then a few months later realizing that I misunderstood what was being said, or when the preacher preached on that verse, he really was "stretching..."

Anybody have any thoughts?

A Bible ain't worth anything if it doesn't help you grow in the Lord, and writing notes in the book will not only help you grow, it will help you see how much you have grown! I write in mine all the time, and I marked only Bible completely up! I had to get a new one because there wasn't enough room on the pages to keep making notes. How I missed taking that old Bible to Bible study because it had all my notes in it. But this new one, well, I get to make a whole new set of notes, now as a more mature Christian, and when I go back and compare the two books, I can see how I thought about things as a young Christian and how different it is from how I think about things as a middle-aged Christian.

I wouldn't hesitate at all to mark that puppy up as much as you want. Besides, I often see that particular Bible at thrift stores or used bookstores, completely unmarked, for under $10, so if you really feel you're messing up your notes, you can always start over with a new one.

 

[£amb]

I agree with using a pencil. And what a wonderful gift you can give to your child (if you have any) when you're ready to pass it on! The bible will be full of your studies and notes. And the child could benefit from your wisdom in your personal notes.

 

[Cright]

I write very limitedly in my bible. I do keep notebooks or scrap paper handy.

I just got a chalk pencil from my future mother-in-law. It writes very neatly, doesn't smudge by turning pages and will wipe away easily with tissue paper.

I like this because I can write in chalk first, and add it in pen or pencil later after I've studied to make sure I want it written in there.