Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

  • Home
  • About
  • Favorites
  • Policies
  • Contact

New Waze for Reading God’s Word (and No, That’s Not a Typo)

March 5, 2021 by Lauren 22 Comments

Happy National Day of Unplugging!  I can’t think of a more needed observation for most of us (self included).  I encourage you to turn off the screens, put them out of sight if possible and do something active, do something fun, and/or do something educational.  If you study the bible or want to, might I suggest trying Verse Mapping?

 

As a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid, I happily accepted free copies of the NIV Verse Mapping Bible, the NIV Verse Mapping Bible for Girls, and the Verse Mapping Bible Study Journal to take for a test run.  It’s been a while since I tried a completely new to me Bible study method and I honestly think this one holds the potential to offer deeper understanding and increased knowledge of God’s Word.

 

Kristy Cambron, the creator of this version of the method, lays out five steps to “mapping” a verse or passage.  In short:

  1.  Verse – Select one you would like to study.  Let the holy spirit lead you, use the topical index in the back of the bible guide, or start at Genesis 1:1 and work your way through the Bible.  Choose the verse that feels like the right fit for you on any given day.
  2. Design – Look at the passage in 2-3 other versions and note any repeated words or phrases.
  3. Develop – Look up these key words in Hebrew for OT or Greek for NT.
  4. Actions – Notice what’s happening in and around the passage.
  5. Outcome – Write a 1-2 sentence summary of what you learned and how to apply it to your life.

The journal provides much more detailed instructions on these steps and how to make your study time really count.  I included photos here of my first completed map (with help from the author).  Please excuse the poor penmanship and photography skills.

The main idea – use these tools to think like a researcher.

 

This Bible contains 350 partially completed verse maps to get you started and give you ideas for how to use this system.  Cambron includes 70 blank maps as well.  The girls’ version provides the same quality product in a design that appeals to tween and teen girls.  And both versions give you note taking space in the margins.

 

The Journal is not necessary to facilitate verse mapping, but accommodates those who prefer not to write in their Bibles or need more room to explore their research and conclusions.

 

These tools have me excited about the prospect of shaking up my daily time with the Lord, and I want to offer you the chance to try them too.  I am giving away 1 copy of the NIV Verse Mapping Bible next Friday!  To enter, subscribe to my blog using the box on the right hand side of this page.  You will also receive my e-book for free after subscribing.  Or if you already subscribe (thank you!!!), follow me on instagram and twitter, then comment your completion on this blog post when finished.  Entries will close at 12:00 CST on Thursday March 4, 2021.

 

And now for this week’s featured post on the link-up.

 

Today I want to highlight the Grace and Gratitude Link UP #7.  Carrie definitely taught me a lesson on showing grace and giving gratitude this week.  She endured the same wacky winter storm that I told yall about.  Instead of the moaning and groaning that most Texans (again, myself included) wallowed in, Carrie showed class and a positive attitude by giving thanks to God for bringing her through and appreciation for the Power company employees that worked so hard to rectify the situation.  Thanks so much, Carrie.

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

 

Grace Truth_Button

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!

To find some great places where I might be sharing this post, click here.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
Read More

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your information below to receive the latest updates from the blog!

Recent Posts

  • I’ve Got Tears in My Ears (and Other Funny Titles)
  • Verse Mapping Joy!
  • Grace Upon Grace
  • First Friday Prayers: Prayer for the Caregiver
  • The Grand Finale of February

Find Devotionals By Me in These Books and Click on Image for Order Information!

A 25-Week Bible Study with Topics from Abide to Zeal
A 26 week journey to a better prayer life.
30 devotionals for faith that moves mountains

For Sharing

Lauren Sparks

Like Podcasts? I’m on This One

…and This One! click to listen.

Click below to get a free trial of my favorite technology monitoring platform

Need More Than Just Monitoring? Find Filters and Accountability Here

Search This Site

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Lauren Sparks | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

Stop!  Don't Miss Out!

I have a brand new e-book.  This was Not On My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Related Surprises is available to you FREE by simply subscribing to my blog!  

Invalid email address
I promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!