Verse Mapping
* From the book A Woman's Guide to Verse Mapping by Ashley Farrington
What is verse mapping?
Verse mapping is one of the many Bible study techniques that allows you to dive deep into God's Word by dissecting verses and examining components such as: keywords, historical context, origin, translations, cross references, and connotation. The process of verse mapping allows you to deepen you knowledge of scripture and spiritually grow in the Lord.
1. Choose a verse to study. biblehub.com or biblegateway.com are good online resources to find verses and translations to use.
2. Write your primary translation. Use a word for word translation such as ESV, NKJV, or NASB. These translations prioritize the words and structures of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek Biblical texts.
3. Write your secondary translation. Use a thought for thought translation such as NLT, CEB, or MSG. These translations prioritize the ideas expressed.
4. Look for differences. Look for ideas or words that stand out. Underline or highlight words or ideas that interest you.
5. Do a word study on the words you have highlighted. Use a dictionary to define the words or find a Bible dictionary to use. Look up the original Greek (New Testament) or Hebrew (Old Testament). Make a note of synonyms or root words.
6. Look at the context of the verse in the rest of the chapter surrounding your verse. Review the overall concepts of the book you are in. Who wrote the text and why? Who was the audience? The Bible Project is a good resource to get an overall picture of the books of the Bible.
7. Cross-reference your key words and phrases. Search for other places these words or themes are mentioned in the Bible.
8. Summarize your findings in your own words. What has this passage taught me? How can I apply it?
9. Reflect on God's words and search your soul. Spend some time in quiet listening to what God might be teaching you. How might God want you to respond?
10. Finish in prayer using the Lord's Prayer model. Write out your prayer with your notes from the study of your scripture.
Verse mapping is one of the many Bible study techniques that allows you to dive deep into God's Word by dissecting verses and examining components such as: keywords, historical context, origin, translations, cross references, and connotation. The process of verse mapping allows you to deepen you knowledge of scripture and spiritually grow in the Lord.
1. Choose a verse to study. biblehub.com or biblegateway.com are good online resources to find verses and translations to use.
2. Write your primary translation. Use a word for word translation such as ESV, NKJV, or NASB. These translations prioritize the words and structures of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek Biblical texts.
3. Write your secondary translation. Use a thought for thought translation such as NLT, CEB, or MSG. These translations prioritize the ideas expressed.
4. Look for differences. Look for ideas or words that stand out. Underline or highlight words or ideas that interest you.
5. Do a word study on the words you have highlighted. Use a dictionary to define the words or find a Bible dictionary to use. Look up the original Greek (New Testament) or Hebrew (Old Testament). Make a note of synonyms or root words.
6. Look at the context of the verse in the rest of the chapter surrounding your verse. Review the overall concepts of the book you are in. Who wrote the text and why? Who was the audience? The Bible Project is a good resource to get an overall picture of the books of the Bible.
7. Cross-reference your key words and phrases. Search for other places these words or themes are mentioned in the Bible.
8. Summarize your findings in your own words. What has this passage taught me? How can I apply it?
9. Reflect on God's words and search your soul. Spend some time in quiet listening to what God might be teaching you. How might God want you to respond?
10. Finish in prayer using the Lord's Prayer model. Write out your prayer with your notes from the study of your scripture.