Opinions

[big al]

I want to hear your opinions on this... I am keeping a journal, though it is about each verse of the Bible and what I think they mean. What do you think?

[Patty T]

I think the journal is a great idea :): After a year or so, you can go back and re-read it and see how God has matured you in certain areas.

[JLM-223]

I want to hear your opinions on this... I am keeping a journal, though it is about each verse of the Bible and what I think they mean. What do you think?
By all means, go to it!

I wish I had the discipline to do that sort of thing... problem is, I try to rely too much on my own memory, if you know what I mean!

[sracer]

I want to hear your opinions on this... I am keeping a journal, though it is about each verse of the Bible and what I think they mean. What do you think?
Do you really intend it to be "what you think each verse means" or "how each verse ministers to you"? Unless you are planning to do some study (literal, historical, and grammatical aspects) your interpretation of Scripture isn't going to be of much value, IMO.

But, keeping a journal of how God's Holy Spirit ministers to you through His Word is a wonderful and faith-building activity... go for THAT! :thumb

[big al]

Here is an example of what I am doing:

VERSE - John 1:1 In the beginning, the word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.
THOUGHTS - Here it says the word is God's. It is pretty clear- maybe the word, maybe could be the Bible, came first. God's word comes first. The word is God, his voice. God is the word via the word is God! To evolve this topic a bit more, we can say that Jesus was God. Jesus is God.

[cathy1953]

I always took that verse to mean that JESUS Himself is the word. Not necessarily that the BIBLE is the word, altho the Bible is God's word, too, {as in written word,} but that JESUS is the word, was with God and is God.

[Crescendo]

When I keep notes like that, I follow a format of CPA! (C) Content - what the verse says (P) Principle - what the verse teaches and (A) Application - how that verse applies to my life today (or how the verse might influence my audience). I find these types of journals helpful. I can combine my own thoughts and the deeper studies of scholars this way.

[big al]

I re-did some of it:

(C) Content - John 1:1 In the beginning, the word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.


(P) Principle - The word... is that Jesus? I think so. Jesus is/was the word. God is Jesus and Jesus is God.


(A) Application - That we have a guide to follow- his word. It was here since the start of time and continues to help us with our trials and tribulations. Jesus is our word, as we should stay stead fast in him.

[sracer]

I re-did some of it:

(C) Content - John 1:1 In the beginning, the word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.


(P) Principle - The word... is that Jesus? I think so. Jesus is/was the word. God is Jesus and Jesus is God.


(A) Application - That we have a guide to follow- his word. It was here since the start of time and continues to help us with our trials and tribulations. Jesus is our word, as we should stay stead fast in him.
Ah, so it really is what your interpretation of Scripture is. hmm, I honestly don't see the benefit to that... because you are only looking at the verse and only the verse. No mention of the greek word for "word" (Logos, by the way) used in that verse and the implications of the use of logos.

Reading through the Bible as part of your daily devotions and writing down your thoughts about how the Holy Spirit is using God's Word to minister to is something that is going to strengthen your walk and your faith.

Here's an example: (I'm currently reading Psalms)

Psa 10:6, "He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity."
thoughts: Here the prideful man boasts that nothing can shake him, that he'll never face trouble. But I know that I will... and Paul's letters say that I should expect it. I shouldn't try to avoid serving in an attempt to avoid difficulty and hardship. There may be other reasons to be selective, but the fear of difficulty and hardship shouldn't be the reason. Be prepared to accept a ministry opportunity that may be outside of my comfort zone.

That's how I was ministered to through this verse. The fact that it is in context with an issue that I'm dealing with simply strengthen's my faith in the Lord. The Holy Spirit places something on your heart, and then uses Scripture to confirm it. It's a powerful one-two punch. I love it! :D:

But if you feel that there IS a benefit to doing your own interpretation, then go for it! God's Word never returns void.

[Knight of Faith]

Well, in my opinion, if you're keeping a journal of your thoughts about each verse, you're going to wind up with a really huge journal!

Cool idea though. Just the act of writing about it will make you think mre about it. Insight is a wonderful thing.

[Timothy]

Rather than a journal, you are better off doing something like this....

The old fashioned way would be to get an interleaved Bible, where every other page is blank to take notes on. Some examples are here:

http://www.pilkingtonandsons.com/interleavedbibles.htm

Before they were common, I had one made 15-20 years ago. Mine is quite thick. You'll want to get a special pen called a Rapidograph pen, as it won't bleed through the pages like a ballpoint would.

The other modern alternative would be to use a software program where you can enter notes on each verse.

:):

[tay]

I re-did some of it:

(C) Content - John 1:1 In the beginning, the word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.


(P) Principle - The word... is that Jesus? I think so. Jesus is/was the word. God is Jesus and Jesus is God.


(A) Application - That we have a guide to follow- his word. It was here since the start of time and continues to help us with our trials and tribulations. Jesus is our word, as we should stay stead fast in him.


Hi Big Al,

Perhaps cross referencing this verse to John 1:14 would be helpful in your notes. Then you could get rid of that "I think so" in the principle (P) part of your notes. You have the scripture proof right next to it. That's the problem with taking one verse at a time. Scripture needs to be compared to scripture otherwise one can run into some problems. Sounds like alot of fun though and I agree with others that looking at your notes down the road is fun and has been in my case, a bit humbling to see errors, etc.

[Elizabeth_S]

I want to hear your opinions on this... I am keeping a journal, though it is about each verse of the Bible and what I think they mean. What do you think?
I did this with a lot of books in the NT.

It does help you to sort out your thoughts and to allow Holy Spirit to work in you. I have 2 journals filled so far.

:thumb

[bopeep1909]

Good way to study the Bible:thumb <><

[Big Daddy]

I do not do this, although I would like to.

I had heard this journal idea proposed like this:
Do what you are doing, noting verse and what the meaning is to you, and when you come to a verse or passage that you do not understand or are clear on, you should note that misunderstanding too.

So you would note the verse you do not understand and state in writing why it doesn;t make sence.

Then pray for understanding and move on.

At some point later (days, weeks, months) something will happen that will give you insight into the meaning your searching for.

So you go back to the original entry and note the date and how you came to the understanding and what that understanding of scriture was.

The idea is that over time, you'll have a great set of notes on God's Word, but you will also have documentation of the Holy Spirit guiding and teaching you on your walk.

FWIW.

[Christine]

I re-did some of it:

(C) Content - John 1:1 In the beginning, the word already existed. He was with God, and he was God.


(P) Principle - The word... is that Jesus? I think so. Jesus is/was the word. God is Jesus and Jesus is God.


(A) Application - That we have a guide to follow- his word. It was here since the start of time and continues to help us with our trials and tribulations. Jesus is our word, as we should stay stead fast in him. I think this is an excellent way of digging into scripture. :thumb

[B A N E]

Scripture doesn't tell us how to study it, it tells us to read, think and discuss it.

And for the kings to come (we can adopt this as well) write them.

See Deut.

[Christine]

BANE :thumb

[Jayhawk]

The journal idea is GREAT. I have done it sporadically and wish I would do it more consistent.

I have done the O - I - A method (Observation, interpretation, application). This was taught to me by my past singles pastor about 7-8 years ago. He said he did Deuteronomy this way and wrote over 1 notebook full of notes under this method.

When I do the O - I - A method, God really speaks to me through His Word...very rewarding. Keep it up!!

[carmen]

The journal idea is GREAT....Keep it up!!:clap

The best method to use to read and learn God's word is the one that you actually put into practice! :D: If this method works for you and motivates you to read and learn, do it.