Bible Marking Sheets

My girls have been memorizing scripture since they were first able to talk. Of course, we could barely understand what they said with their sweet little lisps, but they sure could recite a mile a minute! Sometimes I think we underestimate the minds and ability of our littlest ones. Reading, memorizing, and understanding scripture stretches and cultivates their little minds. Start early!
As soon as my two oldest were able to read at 2nd grade level I purchased them their very own easy read Bibles. 

I wanted to give them all the devotional bells and whistles, and went in search of Bible marking sheets. What could be better? I would use these topical verses as our memory texts, and it would give us a jumping off point for Bible study and discussion. To my dismay I could not find a Bible marking system for children. Either they were too complex or not cute enough for the girls to get excited about, so as is typical of me I thought "yay, new fun project!" and designed my own. No worries, I promise to share! 

What Is Bible Marking?

Besides being an awesome way to organize and color code your Bible...Bible marking is a method of setting up a topical study within your bible that is easy for you to follow. You write the topic name at the front of your bible, and the first verse pertaining to that topic. Then after turning to the first verse, you mark the next verse to turn to, and so on and so forth. The next thing you know, you have a full bible study on that topic, one you can continue to add to when you came across other texts pertaining to that topic.

For the sake of simplicity and for my girls, I prefer my Bible marking sheets with all the starter verses right on the page. When they are older, than can add verses in true Bible marking fashion!

The Benefits of Bible Marking
Since I was first introduced to Bible marking as a teen by my father, I have discovered many uses and benefits of marking my Bibles through the years. 
One: It has been a means for me to easily share my faith with those who asked, without scrambling to remember exactly where I had read that particular verse or two. It was also helpful guidance when friends have sought guidance or comfort through scripture. 
Two: My family and I have had personal and family devotions using these base texts, and are memorizing together using these topical texts as a jumping off point. Sometimes we forget to teach the important doctrinal truths to our kids, sharing with them what the Scriptures say so they can understand for themselves.
Three: It becomes a compilation of all the texts I have stumbled across pertaining to a particular subject, giving me all the information to make knowledgeable decisions. 
Four: It often inspires and excites me to continue to study on any given topic, making the study of something ongoing. It teaches you that you are never done learning, there is always more!

Making It Fun
Customize It: I let the girls help design the bible marking sheets to their taste. They got to help choose colors fonts, and make other fun design choices. Making it an activity means more enthusiasm. I will make the document available in Word format in case you also want to take the time to customize with your children.
Buy Marking Tools: I purchased the most darling little pencil set for the girls from Michaels for $0.50 a piece! There is less risk of incident as opposed to giving them color pens. I did buy myself a special set of pens however! All you organizing fiends will love color coding your bible topics!! Remember that if you buy ink pens look for ones that won't bleed through the thin bible pages, likewise for highlighters. I designed the "Colorful Basics" Bible marking sheet to correspond with the colors of the Paper Mate Ink Joy pen set.



Printable Bible Marking Sheets
If you would also like something cute and inspiring for you or your kiddos, you can download and customize the Word version, which may get a bit rearranged, or just print the pdf. Most importantly, don't forget to print these instructions on How To Mark Your Bible.

I created 3 styles: download the style and version of choice.

1. Pretty & Pink style Word doc.
Pretty & Pink style PDF
2. Simple & Sweet style Word doc. 
Simple & Sweet style PDF
3. Colorful Basics style Word doc. 
Colorful Basics style PDF.

Directions: Print onto full sized (8 1/2 x 11) shipping labels, and cut to size. Or if you don't want anything stuck to the inside flaps of your bible, consider laminating them.