Interested in learning how to get started verse mapping? I promise it's easier than it sounds, and if you're eager to get started digging deeper into God's Word, you'll love this guide to verse mapping for beginners!
What exactly is Verse Mapping?
Verse Mapping is simply a method of Bible Study that encourages those studying to dig deeper into each passage of Scripture by unearthing important details such as:
The passage/book's original context
Keywords & their definitions (preferably in their original language - Hebrew or Greek)
Applicable cross-references found elsewhere in Scripture
The nature or character of God that is revealed in each passage being studied
Some verse mapping studies (like mine, linked here) also include:
Space to consider your own personal life application drawn from your study
Encouragement to write your prayers to God in light of what you've learned
Room to copy the verse in multiple translations to compare and contrast
Verse mapping isn't a type of Bible study intended only for long-time Christians or Bible scholars--anyone who wants to dive deeper into God's Word can benefit greatly from this method of learning. Verse mapping can also be added to your regular Bible study or devotional time, and it doesn't have to necessarily be something you do daily or even weekly. But I think that when you get started following threads throughout Scripture to the powerful messages God has woven into His Word, you'll be hooked on more "ah hah" moments experienced through verse mapping and will want to make it a regular part of your time devoted to Bible study!
What tools are needed to get started?
Verse mapping doesn't have to be complicated, but there are some super helpful tools I'd recommend to help you get started:
Your Bible
A Good Notebook or Digital Note Taking App
A Concordance (hardcopy or online) and/or the NET Bible
Other optional but helpful tools include:
Commentaries to provide further context. There are dozens of reputable commentaries available for free online via the Blue Letter Bible website. This website is another fantastic free and comprehensive resource.
Your favorite pens. I prefer archival quality pens with acid-free ink like these here because they are fade-resistant and built to help your notes last a lifetime.
Highlighters in various colors. These pastel-hued gel highlighters here are my personal faves, but colored pencils also work and both options are fantastic for color-coding your keywords you choose to define in each verse.
So let's get started!
Here are my EIGHT steps to Verse Mapping...
(Yes, EIGHT steps--but don't panic--I promise they're easy steps!)
First, select and write down your verse or passage.
This could be a verse or short passage that you've recently run across as you're working through another Bible study, something you've reviewed in Bible class at church, or even copied down via Scripture writing plans (shout-out to my awesome pals at The Ruffled Mango who create beautiful and fantastic resources for Scripture writing!). There's no hard and fast rules about which verse or passage to select and unpack, but I recommend starting with one that has recently touched your heart to see where it leads you.
Second, copy down your selected verse in one or two additional translations to compare and contrast the keywords and phrases used in each.
For example, I often write down my selected verses in the New Living Translation of the Bible first, because that's what I consider my most "readable" translation. In this step, I'd then locate and copy down the same verse in the NET Bible and the ESV translations.
As a side note, I love utilizing the YouVersion Bible app or BibleGateway.com to review dozens of translations -- it's like having access to stacks and stacks of Bibles all at your fingertips!
Third, it's time to look up information in commentaries or your favorite study Bible to determine important facts about the historical context of the verse or passage you selected.
We need to ask the following questions:
Who wrote this passage?
To Whom was it originally written?
When was it written?
Why was it written?
What additional details or applicable history should we note about this piece of Scripture?
Fourth, take a moment to review the verse and choose any keywords that stand out to you.
Return to your copied verse, and highlight, circle, or draw a box around 2-3 words you would like to define and cross-reference.
For example, let's pick out and highlight some keywords in one of my favorite passages found in Philippians 4:6-7:
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
I decided that the words "worry" and "peace" would be interesting to define here, so I've highlighted each of those words.
Fifth, pull out your handy-dandy concordance of choice (or app/website if you choose to use netbible.org , etc.) to define your keywords and add any applicable cross-references.
Let's try defining and cross-referencing my keywords that I picked out in step four above:
"worry" - The Greek word μεριμνᾶτε (merimnate) is listed as Strong's #: 3309. This verb means "to be troubled with care. This verb is also used in Philippians 2:20 in a positive sense (Timothy is concerned about the Philippians.), so believers are to be positively concerned for others, but not unduly anxious about anything. (See Matt. 6:25-34; 10:19; see also 1 Pet. 5:7)
"peace" - The Greek word εἰρήνη (eirēnē) is listed as Strong's #: 1515. In this passage, this word can be understood as the peace and tranquility of mind and sense of security that arises from reconciliation with God; a deep sense of peace--whether in comfort or in hardship. (See John 14:27 & John 16:33) Interestingly, the phrase “the peace of God” occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.
I personally like to write my keyword definitions in my verse mapping notebook, highlight my key words with my highlighters or colored pencils, and highlight the keywords in corresponding colors in my Bible for easier locating in the future. If you have a journaling Bible that you love, I'd also recommend copying over applicable notes to the journaling margin of your Bible.
Sixth, consider what is revealed about God's nature as Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit in this passage. Write down your findings in your notebook.
When I considered my example passage in Philippians 4:6-7, here is what was revealed to me as I studied it in context:
"My Heavenly Father cares deeply about my heart. When I take my requests to His throne in prayer, He promises peace that surpasses my understanding and assures me that He will "guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus". It is through Jesus' work on the cross, and, subsequently, baptism that the Holy Spirit now dwells in me as a believer and works actively to guard my heart and mind."
Seventh, take time to write down your own personal reflection and/or life application in light of the passage you've mapped.
This is when I'd recommend taking a moment to journal your take-aways from the passage that you're studying. You may find it helpful here to ask yourself questions such as this:
"In light of this passage, is God, through His Word, revealing to me something about myself, my human nature, the way in which I relate to others, or the way in which I relate to Him?"
Your answer to that question will vary depending on the passage you map and the phase of life you find yourself in at the moment. And it's worth noting that not all passages of Scripture directly relate back to each of us individually, so you may find that life application might not be as applicable as much as personal reflection, depending on the particular passage of Scripture you choose.
Eighth, and finally, in light of what you've learned, take a moment to pray.
God longs to hear from His children. He has shared His heart so openly through His Word, but true relationships aren't built on one-sided communication. This is a fantastic time to open your heart to Him, and I'd like to encourage you to consider writing down your prayer in your verse mapping notebook. Why? Writing our prayers isn't for the Lord's benefit, of course, but for ours--there is just something about writing down prayers that I believe helps them linger on our hearts minds longer. And the beauty of writing them down is that when you revisit your written prayers in the future, you can look back and marvel at the beautiful ways the Father has answered your prayers--often in ways you wouldn't have expected.
So there you have it -- those are my eight easy steps to incorporate verse mapping into your Bible study to dig a little deeper and uncover so much richness from the Word of God. I hope you'll share with me what you discover as you dive in to verse mapping! Feel free to comment or message me to let me know how your study is going!
©Lissa Sue Designs, 2024
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