How to Use Bible Verse Mapping (Free Printable Worksheet!)
Verse mapping is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Use the free Bible Verse Mapping Worksheets in this post to get started!
Verse mapping is one of the methods that I’ve found to be a powerful tool in my Bible study time.
We will go over some details of how verse mapping works and why its helpful.
And don’t forget to download your FREE Verse Mapping sheets at the bottom of the post.
What is Bible Verse Mapping?
Simply put, verse mapping is the process of taking a verse and digging into the details. You can use various resources to assist you in this. You can compare the verse in different translations, research the historical context of the verse, identify and define key words, and look up cross references.
What are the benefits of Verse Mapping?
The greatest benefit of verse mapping is simply spending time in God’s Word. The Bible reminds us that scripture is alive and active. Any time we spend in the Word if beneficial.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Spending time in His Word leads to spiritual growth as we fill our hearts and minds with the truths we find there.
Another benefit is simply our understanding of the text. As we deepen our understanding, we are able to discern when a verse is being used out of context. On the flip side, we are able rightly apply scripture to our lives.
Which Bible Should I Use for Verse Mapping?
I’ve found that using a more literal translation of the text is helpful when verse mapping. There are some translations, such as the NLT and Message version, that are more of a paraphrase.
My top recommendations for literal translations are the ESV, CSB, and NKJV.
The Youversion Bible App is an excellent free resource to look at numerous translations of the text.
Looking for some guided Bible Studies? Check out my list of Best Bible Studies for New Believers!
What supplies do I need for Verse Mapping?
Helpful resources to have for verse mapping are:
- Second translation of the text
- Bible Dictionary (This Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary is my preference)
- Bible Commentary
- Bible Maps
A good study Bible (like this HCSB study Bible that I’ve been using for years) will have commentary, maps, and timelines included.
Be sure to check out websites like Blue Letter Bible and Bible Study Tools for free online resources!
How to Use the Verse Mapping Worksheets?
The verse mapping worksheets that I’ve prepared have designated sections for:
- Selected Verse
- Alternative Translation
- Context
- Define
- Keyword
- Related Verses
- Notes
- Prayer
Selecting Your Verse:
When it comes to choosing a verse to start with, I recommend choosing a specific book of the Bible to work through or finding a topical reading plan to follow. Or there may be a popular verse that you would really like to dig in to the context of.
There isn’t a wrong way to do this – it really just depends on where you would like to start.
Other Translations:
After writing out your verse in Bible translation you normally use, select another translation to copy down. As I mentioned earlier, try to stick with a Word for Word translation to stay as close to the original languages as possible.
Context:
In this section, you want to look at some of the details surrounding the original context that the scripture was written in.
Identifying details like this makes all the difference in understanding the text. This is where your commentary, Bible timelines, and a dictionary could be helpful.
Some specific questions you can ask here are:
- Who wrote this text?
- Who was the audience?
- What was the social climate like at the time?
- When was it written?
- What historical events were taking place then?
- Why was it written?
- Is it a historical narrative, a prophetic message, or an epistle (letter) to the early churches?
Define:
Next up, you have a section for defining. If there is a specific word you are unfamiliar with, look up the definition of it.
If you notice that a word is different between the two translations, compare the definition of those two words. Both words should have similar concepts behind them, but it is helpful to see exactly why each word may have been selected.
You can also use this section to define some of the things you discovered in the context portion. It is helpful to define some of the historical events, people, and places that you read about.
Keywords:
Here you’ll want to identify the keywords, or key themes, of your passage of scripture. One of the easiest ways to identify them is to look for recurring words or ideas.
Depending on how detailed you want to get, you can also do some research on original languages here.
By doing this, you see where else that exact word was used in the Bible.
Looking up the original text with online tools like Blue Letter Bible allows you to identify the original word and see what other texts it was used in.
Related Verses:
Next, check out the cross-references in your Bible to see what other verses are related to your specific verse.
If you’re Bible doesn’t have cross-references in it, a quick search on some of the free resources I’ve mentioned will help you out!
Notes:
This is just an open space for writing down additional details you may have discovered!
One of the ways I like to use it, is to write down how my verse applies to my life today. Another way to use this section is to rewrite the verse in your own words, based on the new understanding you have.
Be sure to grab your free printable list of God’s Attributes and ACTS Prayer model Printable to go along with your Verse Mapping Sheets!
Prayer:
Finally, close in prayer. No matter what, our Bible Study time should always be focused around seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
If we solely treat Bible study as a means to gain head knowledge, we’re missing the point. We study the Word of God to lead us to a more intimate relationship with Him.
Of course, you don’t have to wait until the end to pray (in fact, I would recommend opening in prayer as well).
Free Bible Study Verse Mapping Sheets!
Now here are some free verse mapping sheets so you can get started.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE PDF DOWNLOAD!
This is a two page printable, designed to print on 8.5X11 inch paper (US Standard Size).
Download and print as many times as you would like for personal use!
*These downloads are the property of Humbly Rooted Home and are for personal use only. They should not be resold.
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I thank you sooo much for the time you put into all your material that you make available for free !! I truly believe this helps believers who can not financially invest in study material . Again thank you and know you are greatly appreciated.
May God continue to allow you to provide and bless this way