Verse Mapping
What is verse mapping?
Use verse mapping as a way to spend some extra (and creative) time digging in to each week's MomLife scriptures.
Verse mapping is a technique used to gain a deeper understanding of God's word. It is a method of breaking down a verse by identifying and defining keywords, historical context, alternate translations, and cross references. Verse mapping goes beyond just reading; it digs deep into scripture revealing connections, consistencies, and truths in the Bible that are so easily overlooked. (Read more at thejamesmethod.com.)
Why would I try verse mapping?
Jeremiah 29:13 promises that when we seek for God with all of our heart, we will find him. Scripture (God's beautiful and trustworthy Word) is a great place to start seeking more of who God is and who he's created us to be.
If you feel stuck in an unhelpful routine of reading scripture, verse mapping might be for you.
If you love to use pretty pens and colors and creativity to journal or take notes, verse mapping might be for you.
If you are aching to better understand what scripture means, verse mapping might be for you.
What tools do you need?
- Download and print a blank verse mapping template.
- Pens, highlighters, colored pencils, etc. (get as creative as you would like!).
- Bible (we recommend the ESV Study Bible, but use whatever Bible you have in a translation that is easy to understand; CSB, NLT, and NIV are good options).
- Access to study tools like biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org for help with multiple translations, cross-references, commentaries, and definitions.
- A quiet spot with as much uninterrupted time as you can get. Note: it's ok if it takes you multiple sittings to work through one verse. Sometimes as moms we can only get a few moments of quiet at a time. Start small and work up to more, giving yourself space for imperfections as you learn.
Where do I begin?
- First things first, pray and ask God to give you wisdom and understanding as you read his Word. Ask him to show you something new about his character and to direct your steps according to his beautiful Truth.
- Use the tips for answering the main questions (What does it say? What does it mean? How does this truth change me?) listed in your MomLife Journal on pages 18-19.
- Write out the reference for the verse in the banner and then write out the scripture word-for-word in the box in the middle of the page (see example above).
- Highlight the key words that encourage or confuse you in different colors and then look up and write out their definitions in the surrounding circles. Draw a line or arrow to connect the word to its corresponding definition.
- Read the whole chapter surrounding the verse and then grab your study tools to look up information about context.
- Pick at least 2 alternate translations that help you further understand the verse and write them out.
- Find a few cross-references of other correlating verses or passages for your selected scripture.
- Ask yourself questions, really thinking about all that you have read and processed. How might you apply the beautiful Truth(s) that you've learned? How might you pray in response? Do you need to offer up praise, gratitude, confession, or supplication for yourself or someone else?
For more help in building a practice of verse mapping, check out THESE VIDEOS from The Daily Grace Co. and THESE TIPS FOR BEGINNERS at thejamesmethod.com.
Want a tool to help your kids learn to study the Bible? Check out this FREE download of Kids Abide Study Cards by Risen Motherhood.
Share what you're learning and how the practice is going!
Grab a pic of your quiet space, creative process, or messy attempts at learning something new and share on socials! And tag us @momlifeministries. We'd love to see what you're learning and share some encouragement for your journey!
