I’ve come to fall in love with scripture writing or verse mapping as some call it. It has become a part of my daily bible study routine! When reading my daily chapter or section of the book I’m in, I’ll pick a verse that speaks to me, write it out, read it aloud, break it down, and pray it!
While doing that, I got the idea to create topical scripture writings! Each month, I take a different topic and find scriptures to support it! I then read, write, and pray a scripture every day for 30 or 31 days on that topic!
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the importance of scripture writing, creating themes, and the different techniques you can apply to get started!
Importance of Scripture Writing
Spiritual Growth
Incorporating a scripture writing plan into your daily routine can greatly contribute to your spiritual growth. As you write out verses from the Bible, you engage with God’s Word on a deeper level, allowing you to connect with your faith and strengthen your relationship with Him.
Meditating on God’s Word
Scripture writing can help you focus on specific passages, leading you to meditate on God’s Word and grasp its meaning more fully. When you write out the verses, you slow down your reading process, enabling you to absorb the message better and reflect on its application in your life.
Memorization
If you are looking to memorize scripture, writing it down can be a great way to reinforce the verses in your memory. Taking the time to write out each word makes it easier for your brain to retain the information and recall it when you need it.
Of course, the benefits of scripture writing will vary from person to person. It’s important to find the approach that works best for you, whether it’s focusing on a specific topic or exploring various passages from different books of the Bible. Remember, consistency and commitment are key factors in making this practice truly effective for your spiritual growth and relationship with God.
Creating a Scripture Writing Plan
Selecting a Theme or Topic
To start creating your scripture writing plan, begin by selecting a theme or topic that resonates with you. This could be something related to your personal life, a specific book of the Bible, or a challenge you’re facing. Having a focus will help you find the right verses to include in your plan.
Choosing Scriptures
After deciding on a theme or topic, it’s time to choose the scriptures you’ll be writing out. Start by finding verses that align with your chosen theme. You can use a concordance, Bible app, or a website that offers scripture writing plans for inspiration. Gather a list of verses you want to include in your plan and don’t be afraid to mix and match verses from different books of the Bible.
Monthly, Weekly, or Daily Plans
Now that you have your theme and scriptures selected, decide whether you want to create a monthly, weekly, or daily writing plan. Monthly plans can focus on specific months, like January for new beginnings or December for gratitude, while weekly plans offer flexibility to switch topics more often. Daily plans help you to dive deeper into each verse and reflect on it throughout the day.
For example, with a monthly plan, you could assign specific verses to each day of the month, resulting in a different scripture to write each day. Here’s a sample structure for a monthly plan:
- January: Renewal and New Beginnings
- February: Love and Relationships
- March: Trust and Faith
- April: Forgiveness and Grace
- May: Perseverance and Courage
- June: Joy and Happiness
- July: Serving and Helping Others
- August: Spiritual Growth and Wisdom
- September: Praise and Worship
- October: Peace and Rest
- November: Gratitude and Thankfulness
- December: God’s Promises and Covenants
To make your plan more immersive, consider incorporating additional elements like journal prompts, reflection questions, and prayer ideas related to the chosen theme or topic. Remember to use a friendly tone when writing your plan, and keep the focus on discovering the richness within the scriptures.
Incorporating Prayer and Reflection
Prayer and Scripture Writing
As you embark on your scripture-writing journey, it’s essential to incorporate prayer into the process. Prayer helps strengthen your faith and allows you to connect with God on a deeper level. When you begin your scripture writing session, take a moment to pray for guidance, wisdom, and discernment as you read and write.
Here is a simple structure you can follow while praying:
- Begin by acknowledging God’s presence and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to connect.
- Ask for understanding and the ability to capture the message of the passage.
- Pray for a deeper connection with the Word and an openness to apply it in your life.
- Close the prayer by giving thanks for the insights received and asking for continued guidance.
Reflecting on God’s Message
After reading and writing the chosen scripture, spend some time reflecting on God’s message. What is the overall theme? How can you apply the message in your daily life? Reflecting on these questions allows you to strengthen your relationship with God and deepen your faith.
To help with your reflection, consider:
- Creating a list of key phrases or ideas that stood out to you during the writing process.
- Writing down any questions or thoughts that emerged while reading the passage.
- Discussing the passage and insights with friends, family members or small group participants.
Remember, reflecting on God’s message is a personal process, unique to your journey with Him, so give yourself grace and patience during this time.
Verse Mapping
Verse mapping is a helpful technique to further explore and understand a scripture passage. This method allows you to break down the passage into its key components, providing a clearer picture and deeper insight. I personally use this method daily during my scripture writing sessions!
To create a verse map:
- Break down the verse: Dissect the passage by identifying important words, phrases, and concepts.
- Study the context: Research the cultural and historical background of the passage. This can help you understand the author’s intention and message.
- Define keywords: Look up meanings of unfamiliar words or phrases. Consult dictionaries or commentaries to enrich your understanding.
- Cross-reference: Explore how the passage connects to other parts of the Bible. This can help to clarify themes or messages that may be repeated throughout Scripture.
By incorporating prayer, reflection, and verse mapping into your scripture writing routine, you can deepen your faith, enrich your understanding of God’s Word, and nurture your relationship with Him.
Scripture Writing Techniques
In this section, we will explore various techniques you can use to deepen your engagement with the Word of God through scripture writing. Remember, the goal is to help you absorb and apply biblical truths as you write scripture.
SOAP Method
The SOAP method is a popular and effective approach to help you focus on specific aspects of each scripture passage. Here’s what SOAP stands for:
- S: Scripture – Read and write down the passage.
- O: Observation – Observe and take note of any key points in the passage.
- A: Application – Consider how the scripture applies to your life and write it down.
- P: Prayer – Pray about the scripture and your application, asking for God’s guidance.
This method offers a structured way to interact with the Bible, fostering a deeper understanding of its teachings.
Bible Journaling
Bible Journaling is a creative approach to scripture writing that encourages artistic expression to complement your understanding of the Word of God. As you read and write down scripture, you can also use artwork, doodles, or calligraphy to illustrate the message or character of God described in the text. This process helps to solidify the teachings while providing a joyful and enriching experience with the Word.
Composition Notebook
Using a composition notebook is a simple and organized way to engage in scripture writing consistently. You can designate separate sections for different topics, themes, or books of the Bible, and then plan out which scriptures or verses will be written down each day. Keeping a dedicated notebook for your scripture writing can serve as a keepsake or personal reference, allowing you to track your progress and growth over time.
Applying Scripture to Daily Life
Family Scripture Writing
Practicing Family Scripture Writing is an excellent way for you and your family to grow closer to God and each other. By selecting passages that resonate with your family’s needs or desires, you can create a regular routine of reading the Word together. Share the truth found in each verse with one another and discuss how it can be applied to your daily lives. This activity not only strengthens your bond with God but also fosters a sense of unity among family members.
Marriage and Unity
A healthy marriage is built on a strong foundation of faith, and incorporating scripture writing into your relationship can help you and your spouse maintain unity. Explore Bible writing plans that focus on strengthening marriage or addressing challenges couples often face. Write and discuss verses related to love, commitment, and forgiveness, and consider how these principles can be applied to your relationship, fostering love and unity through God’s guidance.
Teaching Children
Teaching your children the power of scripture is a vital part of their spiritual growth, and Scripture Writing Plans can provide a fun and engaging way to introduce them to the teachings of Jesus. Choose age-appropriate passages that highlight important values such as kindness, honesty, and respect. Encourage them to write down the verses and discuss their meaning together as a family. By actively involving them in this process, you help instill a love for God’s Word, and empower them to rely on scripture for guidance and comfort throughout their lives.
Popular Scripture Writing Topics
When it comes to scripture writing plans, you have a variety of topics to choose from that can help deepen your understanding and faith.
Identity in Christ
Discover your true identity in Christ by writing out scriptures that focus on who you are in God’s eyes. Meditate on verses that emphasize your purpose and the unique gifts and talents God has given you.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a key aspect of the gospel. Reflect on scriptures that emphasize the importance of forgiving others and accepting God’s forgiveness. This will help you cultivate a forgiving spirit and experience the release that comes with letting go of bitterness.
Joy
Scripture writing can bring joy into your life by focusing on verses that speak about the blessings God has given you and the happiness that comes from a relationship with Him. These joyful scriptures will uplift your spirit and strengthen your faith.
Fear
Scriptures that focus on overcoming fear can be powerful in helping you navigate life’s challenges. Meditate on verses that encourage you to trust in God, reminding you that He is with you and will provide comfort and strength.
Thanksgiving
A grateful heart can be cultivated through scripture writing that focuses on thanksgiving. Reflect on verses that emphasize giving thanks, praise, and gratitude to God for His abundant blessings.
Taming the Tongue
Our words have power, and it’s essential to learn how to use them wisely. Through writing out scriptures about taming the tongue, you can gain insights into how to communicate with love, kindness, and self-control.
Heaven
Heaven is a beautiful and comforting topic for scripture writing. Delve into verses that describe the eternal hope believers have in Christ and the glorious nature of our future home.
Prayers
Scripture writing focused on prayers can strengthen your own prayer life and deepen your relationship with God. Consider writing out prayers from the Bible, like the prayers of Esther or the Apostle Paul.
Fruitful
Scriptures centered around living a fruitful life can help you grow spiritually and lead a life that pleases God. Reflect on verses that emphasize cultivating the fruits of the Spirit and finding purpose through serving others.
Additional Resources and Support
Free Printable Scripture Writing Plans
Finding a scripture writing plan that fits your needs can be challenging, but there are resources available online to help you get started. You can also check out the free printable scripture-writing plans that I’ve personally created! These downloadable plans can be an excellent foundation for starting your scripture-writing journey.
Conclusion
Remember to choose a scripture writing plan that resonates with your interests and helps you grow in your spiritual journey. Don’t hesitate to share your progress with friends or family members who can also benefit from this enriching practice. With the right plan and supportive community, you’re well on your way to a deeper connection with God through scripture writing.
