Throughout the journey of learning to read the Bible better, attempting to understand its context, and how I can articulate the story of Scripture better, I’ve been experimenting with various note-taking systems to help me track my learning and push me to go further.
Initially, I started with the classic SOAP system (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) which works great for a season, but I struggled to track what I was learning over time and wasn’t able to create a space for further studies. I also tried some more abstract techniques of mind mapping and using a combination of digital apps and physical notebooks to accomplish this.
But my notes weren’t connected to help me see what I was learning, where I need to grow in perception, and how my comprehension of the Bible was getting deeper. So I’ve created a very simple system of 3 notes and highlighter types that I store in one digital place.
All digital screens are made up of millions of pixels that consist of tiny little diodes (a small light). These diodes use three colours to do this - red, green and blue. With those three base colours our screens can create an incredible range of depth and colour and sharpness that give us our digital screens. The more pixels there are, the more depth is possible to generate a greater image. If even just one of those pixels is faulty, it can be painfully obvious and the whole image doesn’t work.
This is part of my thinking behind my RGB Notes - a range of note types that work together to create an overall image.
My “RGB (Red, Green, Blue) Notes” is my attempt to create easy and long-term notes on my Bible roadmap.
The three note types are:
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Red notes - questions and weird things for me to research later
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Green notes - observations and things that I’ve noticed
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Blue notes - thematic and intertextual links that I’ve learnt about
These are all recorded in my Logos Bible software account that is accessible on all my devices so I can add them in easily on my phone through the app, and then expand upon later on my desktop. I try to use distinct colour highlights so that they’re obvious when I see them, and they can also overlap when needed.
Here is an example from Genesis 4:
If I were to select any of the highlighted sections, I’d be able to see my notes on that highlight - I may even have multiple notes linked to the same highlighted section. You may notice that there are some words highlighted within an existing highlighted area - this is because I’m able to select very specific words within a verse that stand out to me.
As I re-read sections of the Bible through the year, I am then drawn to the areas that don’t have any highlights as something to focus on. For example, I don’t seem to have intentionally put many notes on verses 3, 6 or 8. That doesn’t mean that I haven’t reflected on them, I just don’t have any extra thoughts that I want to contribute just yet.
The aspect I like the most with this system is the BLUE notes - times when I’ve noticed a link that the author is wanting me to notice to further enhance an idea of a theme. Often these notes will be a result of GREEN notes (observations) that I’ve reflected on and learnt more about. Intertextuality in the Bible is an area that fascinates me, and it is enriching my general Bible journaling and devotional experience as I’m able to see more and of God’s hand in the scriptures.
What is also great with this system is I’ll be reminded of notes that I’d forgotten about previously. This is a fun surprise when I want to add an observation, only to find that I’ve already written that as a note a while ago.
The advantage of using Logos for my notes is that it has a very robust note-taking tool that allows me to organise my notes with tags and notebooks, and can filter them by various factors like specific Bible books and when the notes were written. I’m planning on writing more about Logos Bible Software at a later date as I think it is one of the best Bible study tools available to us, but there are some costs and there is a bit of a learning curve to it.
My goal is to encourage you to be more intentional with taking notes to help you track what you’re learning and what you need to learn. I’m embracing the areas that I’m confused and uncertain about with my RED notes as I believe they will help me study the Bible further and generate a greater appreciation for the effort the authors have put into the word of God.
Should you follow this exact system?
It's entirely up to you, but it is fun for me.
I would encourage you to find a system that is not only practical and easy, but fun and engaging. Maybe start with taking one note each time you read the Bible. Or you could try writing down notes in a physical notebook and keep consistently adding to it. It is up to you, but I believe that it could genuinely enrich your Bible roadmapping!