AY Honors/Bible Marking/Answer Key

1. a. Name five different methods of Bible Marking.
b. Explain how each method would be used.
c. List advantages and disadvantages of each.

1. Chain Reference

In this method, you first choose a topic and come up with a very short key for it. For instance, "Salvation by Grace" might become "SbG" or even "SG". Then you find a blank page either near the front or near the back of your Bible and write the title, the key, and the first reference, such as Col 2:14. You then turn to that reference in the Bible, and in the margin near the first reference, you write the key plus the reference to the next verse. Continue doing this until you annotate the final verse with the key and the letter "F" (for "final").

Advantages

1. You can give a quick Bible study "on the spot."
2. It's a good way to become familiar with the Bible.
3. It's an effective way to become familiar with a topic.
4. You can buy preprinted sheets of stickers for the references on certain topics.

Disadvantages

1. You cannot change the order of study.
2. If you lose your place, you have to start over from the beginning.
3. Sometimes the pre-preinted stickers can fall out.

2. Color Code

Choose a color for the topic. As you read your Bible, when you come across a passage having to do with that topic, you mark a line down the margin starting where that topic begins, and ending where the topic ends. If the passage has a subheading and the entire passage has to do with the topic, underline the subheading with that color.

Advantages

1. Good for ongoing study of the Bible.
2. Colors stand out.
3. Gives a good overview of a topic.

Disadvantages

1. The number of distinct colors will limit the number of topics you can mark.
2. You have to have the right color marker with you when you come across a reference.
3. Too many colors or an overmarked Bible will render the annotations useless.
4. Not good for a sequential study - such as where a prophecy is made and where its fulfillment is recorded.

3. Cross Reference

1. Where you have found two or more texts speaking about the same subject you can, alongside one of these texts, in the margin, write the reference to those other texts. Then go to those other texts and write the reference of the first text. 2. If it is to do with only a word or a phrase from the text that you wish to support from other texts, then place an "R" alongside that word or phrase.

Advantages

1. Can be added to.
2. Not limited by subjects.
3. Quick support for a difficult text.

Disadvantages

1. Limited by space in margin for reference.
2. You need to know where to start.
3. Hard to follow through a complete study.

Comments

• Many Bible's have this type of reference in them when printed.

4. Highlighting or Underlining

1. Emphasize just one word or phrase in the section. Just enough to make the thought that you want to stand out.
2. This can be done in a number of ways:

• A neat line under the word - preferably in a color to suit your total marking system.
• Keep a pencil or fine biro - only one color just for underlining.
• If you are very neat and careful, a very effective way is to just write over the letters to thicken them a little BUT test the steadiness of your hand and the suitability of the pen on something first.

Advantages

1. Reminds you of important part of the text.
2. It makes that part stand out.

Disadvantages

1. Too much, lessens the clarity of the text.

5. Number Reference

1. When you have information about a word or passage that you cannot fit in the margin, highlight - underline or mark in an appropriate way to suit your system of marking.
2. Then in the margin, place a number - that number will be the same as a number on a page in the back of your Bible.
3. To know what that number should be, look at the last lot of information you put on that page and the number you put with it, the number is the next number. So if your last entry was 5, then this one would be 6.
4. Put the reference for your text at the end of your information entry for cross reference.

Advantages

1. Allows comment or explanation on a thought in greater detail.
2. Helps to keep information about a word or passage from being forgotten.

Disadvantages

1. Has a limited use.

6. Subject Lists

1. On a page at the back of your Bible, make lists of texts under a subject heading.
2. Leave plenty of room so you can keep adding extra texts you find as you read the Bible or listen to sermons.
3. Add an extra page if you need to.
4. A mark can be placed alongside the more suitable texts for the topic.

Advantages

1. Good personal study.
2. A quick source of references from which to pick for a study.
3. Does not clutter the margin of your Bible.

Disadvantages

1. It needs a reasonable amount of space in the back of your Bible.

References

• South Pacific Division notes on teaching this honor