I've been obsessed with Bible study ever since I was really young. I've always been a bit of a bookworm and nerd, so things like studying, taking notes, and organizing makes me very happy (haha). Since my Bible study is legitimately fun to me, I've experimented a lot with how I like to take notes the best.

Your Bible study should not be boring. Taking Bible study notes should not be boring. If you are struggling with this, I have six unique ways to take your Bible study notes, all of which I have personally tried and tested in my own quiet times. Maybe, just maybe, one of these six ways will help spice up your time with the Lord!

1. The Classic

When I first started taking Bible study notes, I only used this method. This is probably what you think of when you think of notetaking, and if I'm being honest, this isn't the most fun method. BUT, I love the way this is so organized and neat.

When I used this method, my notes ended up kind of like a play-by-play of what was going on, so it did take quite a bit more time than any of the other styles of notes. This is especially good for narratives because it gives you the format to write down everything, or at least all the main events. You can easily include a ton of details from what your reading, while the other styles of notes are typically a bit broader.

I also use this to take sermon notes, and although I don't write everything the pastor says, it keeps things organized and tends to be way easier to write things down quickly.

And while this style of notes does have its cons (depending on your preference), it's probably one of my favorite ways to include application points and questions/facts about what you're reading. In the two examples above, I used arrows to symbolize application points, which tell me something I learned about God, or something that I want to do to live out these verses. I also used little stars to jot down questions or additional information that didn't fit in the bulleted note.

2. The Doodler

If you're getting bored with your Bible study, then I 100% recommend that you try this style. The Doodler notetaking method is perfect for those who enjoy making pretty things and drawing, and who don't need their notes to be perfectly organized and laid out. I've started doing this style more recently and I love it because it helps your Bible study feel less stiff and more creative.

Taking notes this way is much simpler because you can just go with the flow and write down main points, things that stick out to you, and add little doodles that help illustrate what's happening in the Scripture. You can also jot down little notes in the margins, which you can't really do with the Classic.

In the examples above, I added simple mini drawings and different styles of writing with different pens/markers (all capital letters, all lowercase, cursive, etc). To me, this not only makes it pretty, but helps me emphasize things that stuck out to me or that I want to remember. I did also add the same symbols as in the Classic (the arrow and the star), which you can do in pretty much any style.

3. The One with Questions

When I started reading the laws of Exodus this year, I searched for a way to stay engaged with all the boring laws, rules, and festivals, and I settled for this method. I asked myself four questions for every section of the laws, which you can see in the example above. I love the idea of this one, but I think I needed to choose some different questions so they weren't quite so repetitive.

Even so, I really like how this format expands your thinking about the Scripture you're studying in multiple ways. When you use this method, you aren't just jotting down what happened in the Scripture; you're considering how it fits into Scripture, what you can learn about God through those verses, etc. It challenges your thinking a bit and gets you out of going-through-the-motions of Bible study.

And of course, you don't have to follow these questions at all! Make up your own about things YOU want to know about the verses your reading. And if you're struggling with that, there are tons of great resources out there to help you find questions to dive deeper into your Bible study.

4. The One with a Template

Similarly to the One with Questions, this format gives a layout of things to consider while you're studying the Bible. This offers a bit more relaxed approach to Bible study notes than the previous style, but more structure than the Doodler. In the example above, you can see how simple my notes were, but it was enough to help me process what I was reading and apply it. Of course, your template could be whatever you want, and your answers can be however long you see fit.

And the picture above is not the only example of this style of notes. I don't have a picture of it, but I've also done the SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) method and that is another really great way to take Bible study notes. The SOAP method is tried and true, and so many people love it. There's also the APPLE method (which Arabah Joy came up with) and more!

5. The Eye Catching Info

As I've continued studying the Old Testament and began reading about the instructions for the tabernacle, I quickly realized that none of the previous methods for taking notes would really work. I decided I needed to find an ultra-simple but still useful way to take notes over this section of Scripture, because to be honest, it was completely over my head.

That's when I accidentally created this method. Instead of taking notes over the main events or all the details described in what I was reading, I was able to pick out words that were repeated often throughout that section and dive deep into them. I found a few main points that taught me about who God was and what He wanted, along with a few application points. I actually love taking notes this way because it gave me ample space to do additional research related to the Scripture.

And, if you really wanted to, you could add little doodles along with these notes. In the example above, I did use a different marker to emphasize main points, so you can really be creative with this method.

6. The Smorgasboard

Some days, I want to use multiple aspects of all the above examples of notes. And if that's you right now, then that's great too! That's why we have the Smorgasboard. Like I said at the very beginning, your Bible study should be fun and engage you in what you're reading. Don't feel confined to just one way of taking Bible study notes, but experiment and find out how to take notes that work for you.

And it's perfectly okay if your Bible study notes aren't aesthetic or social media worthy. You don't have to take notes at all, if that doesn't work for you. What really matters is that you are spending quality time with the Lord, engaging with Scripture, and applying what you're learning.

I love all things Bible study and Bible study notes, and I wholeheartedly pray that these creative ways to take notes would inspire you to dive even deeper into your time with the Lord. Comment down below what your favorite way to take Bible study notes is!