Recently a friend asked me to make a video outlining how I use a mind map to dig deeper into the Bible. I had written a blog titled Digging Deeper into your Bible back in August showing my Prayer Binder and all the different graphic organizers I use throughout the week to reflect and meditate on Scripture. One of my favourite ones to use is the mind map because it is easy for jotting down my ideas, making connections and mapping out my thoughts.
Today, I’m going to walk you through this simple graphic organizer step-by-step. The passage of Scripture I’ve chosen is John 3:16-21. I’ve attached the videos below which outlines the exact same information.
So, let’s begin…
Step 1: Read John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Step 2: Re-read
Reading a passage of Scripture for a second time really helps you to de-construct its message. Often, you can gain a deeper understanding of what the passage is saying as key words are highlighted or you make connections to other passages. Sometimes a second read simply allows your brain the time to process the information you just read.
Step 3: Highlight, Underline, Circle
I often use a combination of all three, but use what is most comfortable and familiar to you. I like to highlight a verse that stands out to me or circle or highlight words that repeat throughout the passage. This gives you a better understanding of what the writer was trying to say or what message he was trying to get across. This step is important to do before moving on to the next because often this step will give you your answer.
Step 4: Ask
Take some time and ask yourself the following questions:
- What did I find challenging about the passage?
- What do I need further clarification on?
- What does God want me to get from this passage?
Step 5: Fill in the Mind Map
Now, we are ready to fill in our mind map. In the center of the mind map, you can put a question that you want to answer, a key word, a theme, or a verse of Scripture that stood out to you. In my example, I chose a verse, John 3:19, “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”
Next, take some time to reflect on the passage you read to give you some answers to go in the surrounding circles. Some questions I asked myself were:
- Who is light?
- What is darkness?
- What does darkness do?
- What does light do?
- What does God want me to take away from this passage?
- How should I live in response to this verse?
After filling in my mind map, I now have a deeper understanding of what John was teaching me in this passage. I find that digging deeper into a passage of Scripture helps me reflect on it throughout the week and to make real-life connections.
Step 6: Go Deeper
A final step, to the mind map is listening to what God places on my heart. Sometimes He leads me to a worship song or another passage of Scripture. Sometimes, another passage of Scripture is placed on my heart and other times I go online and search Scripture passages in reference to my theme. For this example, I went on google and searched: Scripture about light.
I read through the passages that came up and chose one that really resonated with me- John 8:12, “I’m the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Interestingly, as I was filling in my mind map, I started humming Here I Am to Worship, by Michael W. Smith. The lyrics to this song speak exactly in accordance to this passage. I love finding songs that reflect the same idea because often times the wording gives me a clearer picture of the passage and there is truth behind the powerful influence of song. Our brains are designed to remember songs much easier then reading or listening to a passage. Although I may not remember the passage of Scripture this week, I know I will catch myself singing this song because that’s just the influence songs have in our lives.
Here I Am to Worship
By Michael W. Smith
Light of the World
You stepped down into darkness
Open my eyes
Let me see
Beauty that made
This heart adore You
Hope of a life
Spent with You
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
I hope you have found this helpful in your own personal study of the Bible. I pray that this will help you gain a better understanding of Scripture and mature in your faith. I pray you will grow closer in relationship to the Lord and hear Him speak powerfully to you through His Word.
Many Blessings!
SHARE: What method do you use to dig deeper into God’s Word? How have graphic organizers helped you in your study of God’s Word?
Below are the step-by-step videos:
The Sweet Taste of Grace 