Color Coding Bible Study Method
This Bible study method may not be for everyone. It is just something that works for me and helps me study the Scriptures in a more in-depth manner. I have used this method for years, tweaking it here and there along the way. This method allows you to focus on certain aspects in the Scriptures as you study by highlighting them different colors. You can pick as many items to highlight as you would like. Some people also use colored pencils. I would suggest keeping it simple to start with and expanding over time. What is great about this study for me is that I have been doing it so long when I see certain colors in my Bible I already know what that subject is related to. This also helps me study the Bible slower and with more intention. To start using this method you will need to make a list of what you want to highlight and pick the color you want associated with each subject.
When using this method I suggest reading the passage or chapter first without highlighting anything. Don’t allow yourself to get distracted with highlighting, it is a tool to help you study better not make your Bible look pretty and not to distract you from the actual words of Scripture.
The second time you read through do your highlighting. By doing this you will be able to start considering the concepts of the passage or chapter in your first read through then look for things you may have missed or that you want to study further the first time around. I always keep paper or my electronic note system (Evernote app) handy when I am studying that way I can write down questions that I want to look into either right then or at a later time.
Below is what I highlight and a brief description of why (this is not an exact method to be copied, it is what works for me.)
| Color | Subject Topic | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Trinity, Attributes of God | This points me to God in my studies. Everything in Scripture is about Him. Too often we look at the Scriptures see what it says about us when we really need to be looking to see what it says about God first! |
| Purple | Heaven, Kingdom of God, Miracles, Angels | This points me to things related to God’s Kingdom and His divine hand in our world. |
| Green | Prophecy, Vision, Covenant | This helps me focus on the covenant relationships and covenant language in Scripture. It also helps me connect God’s prophecies across the full corpus of Scripture. |
| Peach | Obedience, Spiritual Disciplines, Commands, Laws, Principals, How a believe should act | This helps me focus on how to obey the Lord, how to please Him, how to grow my relationship with Him. |
| Red | Evil, Sin, Disobedience, Opposition to God | This helps me see the fallen nature of humanity and the attributes of the Devil. We should be in tune to these red flag warnings in Scripture that we would not walk in the way of disobedience. |
| Pink | Women, Family, Marriage, Parenting | This helps me focus on how to be the woman God created me to be. How to have a Biblical marriage and how to parent my children according to the Word of God. |
| Bluish Green | Israel, Jerusalem, Judah, Tribes, Northern and Southern Kingdoms | The Israelites were first chosen as God’s people. They have extreme significance in Scripture. Highlighting these references helps me try focus on God’s relationship with the Israelites, their significance in God’s plan, and their response to God. |
| Blue | Gospel, Salvation, Redemption | Everything in Scripture points to Jesus |
| Pink Underline | Literary Context | It is important to take note of specific literary features of the text. Does an author repeat a word in a passage, chapter, or book? Is there something being compared or presented in contrast? Is there a climax in the text? Are questions and answers present? Does the text use personification, rhetorical questions? These are some of the literary features I look for to help me have a deeper understanding of how the text was written. |
| Blue Underline | Historical Context | Anytime there is something related to the Historical Context of a scripture that will deepen my understanding I underline it. The Historical context of Scripture is critical to our understanding. Anytime we can study the original place / time / situation of the Scriptures we will gain insight. 2 For 2:14-17, for example, is brining with language that would be understood clearly because of the Roman Triumphant Processions of that day. |
| Purple Underline | Theological Context | This draws me to the theological themes in Scripture, covenantal language and the progression of covenants in Scripture. Theological context that relates to the broader message of Scripture. |
