5 Step Verse Mapping Beginner’s Guide
This content may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Learn more at the bottom of this page or read my full disclosure policy.
If you’re looking for a simple guide to Bible verse mapping, look no further! This is the place!
I’m a huge advocate for Bible verse mapping. I found that its one of the best ways to study the Bible and keep everything in context. While it may sound complicated verse mapping is actually pretty simple and can be done in just 5 simple steps.
In this article, you’ll learn how to verse map like a pro (even if you’re a beginner).
What is Bible mapping?
Where do I start verse mapping?
Let’s dig in and find out!
What Is Verse Mapping?
Verse mapping is a visual way of studying the Bible. Maps connect us to places. Timelines connect us to events. Language connects us to culture. Put each of these study methods together and you get verse mapping.
With a Bible verses map we can break Scripture into bite-sized pieces. For this reasons, It’s often called the verse by verse Bible study method. Studying this way allows us to dive deeper into specific passages and understand how history, cultural context, words origins, and definitions all fit together.
Have you ever fallen into the trap of letting modern-day culture interpret the Bible for you instead of studying it as is written? The purpose of Verse mapping is to help us avoid that.
Getting started is simple. All you need is a Bible (you can use a traditional Bible or a verse mapping Bible like this one.), a notebook , a highlighter, and a pen or pencil to write with.
What Is A Verse Mapping Bible?
A verse mapping Bible is an NIV Bible built around the verse-by-verse study method. It will typically include note taking pages, study prompts, and fill in the blank Bible maps to use while studying and researching the Bible.
When you run out of Bible maps in your Bible you can use the companion Bible Verse Mapping Journal (or a traditional notebook) to keep going.
If you’re looking for a different translation; CBS, NKJV or KJV Verse Mapping Bible, you’re best bet is to find either a Journaling Bible where you can make your Bible maps in the journaling columns OR use a Bible study journal like this one!
So you’re here and wondering, where do I start?
Where Do I Start Verse Mapping?
For most people, Bible mapping starts when you find a Bible verse that causes you to pause. Sometimes you pause because of confusion. You read the verse but you just don’t get it. Or there are words in the verse that you’re not familiar with.
In those cases, mapping a Bible verses helps us gain the context we’re missing. We look into the key words, the history, and surrounding stories and as a result we gain depth and understanding.
Sometimes we pause because of wonder. Something about what we read captivated us and we want to know more about why. So we start mapping out the verses. Dissecting it word by word and thought by thought.
Ready to learn exactly how to do verses mapping? The next section of this article will break down the 5 basic steps of Bible verse mapping for beginners.
How to Verse Map In 5 Simple Steps
Now we’re going to break into the “how to.”
You can use either a blank sheet of paper, a Bible verse mapping worksheet, or (as suggested earlier) a Bible Verse Mapping journal.
We LOVE the printable Bible verse mapping templates in this Bible worksheets bundle!
- Choose a Bible verse to map – write it out in your Bible map.
- Look for key words
- Search for Context
- Write down noticeable themes or key Bible study topics.
- Ask and answer key Bible study questions (listed below).
Step 1 | How Do You Choose Verses for Verse Mapping?
Choose a verse that caused you to pause; either because of curiosity or awe. Write that verse down.
I use this Bible Highlighting Journal because it has space specifically for creating Bible maps and writing down the verse you’re studying.
If you want to go above and beyond you can write out the verse in different translation and compare and contrast keywords
Step 2| Tracking Key Words on Your Bible Study Maps
In Bible study, key words are words that carry the main message of a Bible verse of passage. They can include an action, a description, a person or a setting.
They can be words you’re unfamiliar with and even words you know.
When you find them, circle them. Use a concordance to find the meaning of the word in its original language. Write the definition on the verse map. Use a line to connect the key word to it’s definition.
You can use online tools like Blue Letter Bible to help you or printed tools like the Strong’s Concordance (this is the one I like to work from).
Step 3 | Reading the Verse In Context
Before filling in your map of the verse, I 10/10 recommend going back to the verse you’re studying and reading the entire Bible chapter it’s found in.
Taking an extra minute or two to read through the passage as a whole helps us keep the Bible in context while using the verse by verse study method.
Write down anything you feel is important for understanding the verse you’re studying.
Step 4 | Keeping Track of Themes and Topics
Most Bibles already note key themes in the chapter headings, but it’s good to see if you can recognize any key themes on your own too. As you study you can check your conclusions against the theme of the passage. If you’ve gotten off track somehow you’ll be able to know it because your notes and the theme won’t line up. That is your opportunity to retrace your steps and see where the connection broke.
BONUS TIP: Use our free Bible Study Color Key to help keep themes simple and organized! Learn how to include Bible Highlighting in your Verse Mapping here.
Step 5 | Researching The Bible and Completing Your Map Of the Verse
Verse mapping is a method of Bible study and research. The research part is the piece people struggle with the most. Researching the Bible helps us connect verses to the history of the Bible and the lives and stories of people in it. Not sure where to start?
Use these study prompts to guide your research and help you complete your Bible maps.
- Main characters
- Location
- What is happening at this time in history?
- What is happening in surrounding cities?
- References to different parts of scripture (i.e. because Isaiah is a book of prophecy you’ll find that portions of books like Matthew reference verses written in Isaiah. You will also find the disciples and even Jesus quoting Bible verses from Psalms, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy).
We have a checklist of Bible study questions to keep you on track here.
Need A Visual? Check Out this Video For Bible Verse Mapping Examples!
Learn everything you need to know about the Bible Mapping Method in this video Coming Soon!! You’ll you’ll get examples of our easy as pie Step by Step Verse mapping process and a close up look at the best printable worksheets for working through the Scripture you selected!
There you have it! You can officially add verse mapping to your list of simple Bible study methods. Over time you’ll have a collection of Bible verse by verse explained and a faith that is blooming as a result of it.
Bible Verse Mapping Resources
Bible Highlighting Journal – Our guide to mapping out and studying the Bible in context, with intention, and a splash of color. Check it out here.
NIV Verse Mapping Bible – Enjoy reading and studying the Bible with ready to use mapping pages right there in your Bible! Find it on Amazon.
Verse Mapping Journal – Use along side any Bible to make daily verse mapping a part of your Bible study routine. Also on Amazon.
Bible Verse Mapping Printable – Bible verse mapping template pdf (a collection of them actually) that you can keep on hand to practice on your own (without the added expense of buying a journal). Get the worksheets.
If this study method isn’t for you and you’re looking for other methods of studying the Bible, I invite you to visit this post to explore different methods of Bible study.
Don’t forget to snag our free how to study the Bible effectively for beginners pdf!
TWEET THIS!
Verse Mapping 101: How to Study the Bible Verse by Verse Share on X
