Unruffled - Session 4
VERSE MAPPING
Unruffled - Session 4
Grow deeper in your quiet time
How to use this Bible Study
If you are in a group: Complete the sections that have a white background together by reading outloud. The sections with a peach background should be completed individually. Then come back together and talk about what you have written.
If you are doing a solo devotional: Read through and complete the homework as usual, and use the discussion questions as an additional journaling prompt.
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord,
However this week has gone, we lay it at your feet. The good, the bad, the exhausting. We bring it to you. God, let us find the rest that You promise is found in You. You are the creator of all things. And You are so good to us. Please bless this time as we seek You.
Together we say,
Amen
Homework Questions
What was your experience this week doing research on the author?
Who did you learn about this week?
What resource did you use to learn about the author?
Do you think you will use this technique in the future?
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It is easy to spend your entire discussion time on the questions above. Make sure you leave 20-25 minutes towards the end of your meeting time to complete the reading below and additional discussion questions.
Materials
During your meeting, each group member will need:
pen and/or highlighter
print out of in-group worksheet
Verse Mapping
There are numerous ways to practice verse mapping. Most resources for verse mapping have you looking up Greek words, digging into concordances, and researching the history around the verse. These things are all good. They can lead to a deep understanding of the Word.
However, the goal of this study is to give you accessible, daily study tools. And you don’t have to spend a lot of time and energy in research in order to gain insights from verse mapping. There is plenty of information within your own Bible and reading passage to inform a verse mapping practice.
Step One: Choose
Similar to a few weeks ago when we cross-referenced translations, you will identify one verse a day to verse map as you are doing your reading this week. If you are reading the One Verse a Day reading plan or have a high volume of reading, aim to verse map three verses from your homework reading. Choose a verse that has one or more of the following characteristics:
The verse jumped off the page at you as you were reading
The verse didn’t make any sense
It was something Jesus said
It was a verse you have heard before, and you want to understand it better
Step Two: Copy
Write down the verse in your journal, or use the worksheet provided. If you are writing in a journal, skip every other line. This will give you room to draw arrows, circle words, and make notes.
Write over the verse a second time to make them bolder. As you make your notes in your verse map, you will put a lot of other writing on the page, and the verse can get lost. Double-writing also has the benefit of giving you a moment to meditate on the verse a third time as you write the words again.
Step Three: Transitions
Look at the verse you have chosen. Does it start with a transition word? Highlight this transition word. Off to the side of the page, summarize what came before the verse. Draw a line or arrow pointing from the transition word to your summary. If you do not have any transition words, continue to step four.
Transition words include:
Also
And
Because
But
Finally
For
Furthermore
However
Since
That
Then
Therefore
Step Four: Who
Highlight pronouns and identify who they are. If they occur multiple times in the verse, and refer to the same person, you might want to only highlight it once. But, there may be other passages where it is impactful for you to highlight each instance to emphasize the message of the verse.
Pronouns:
He/Him/Himself
She/Her/Herself
They/Them/Themselves
You/Your/Yourself
Me/I/Myself
Familial names: brother, sister, mother, father
Terms of Endearment: beloved, my child, fellow servant, etc.
Step Five: Actions
Highlight any significant verbs. Write out your observations of the action within the verse. And make a note of how these actions should impact your own daily living. Draw a line from the word to the box with your summary.
Step Six: Summary
Summarize the verse in your own words. Write down any additional thoughts, connections, or questions that your verse mapping practice has brought up.
Make it Pretty
A reminder that we all need:
Your quiet time is a sacred place between you and God. You may have a temptation to make your quiet time Instagram-worthy. But the appearance of your quiet time, journal, bible, coffee cup, scenery, or manicure is the least important aspect of your time with God.
This temptation is particularly high in the practice of verse mapping. If you look up examples of verse mapping, you will find lots of examples of beautiful handwritten script, fun stickers, stencils, and highlighters. Don’t let your impression of what other people are doing impact your participation in this practice. Be messy.
Your goal should be to draw closer to God, not to make a pretty journal page.
On the flip side. There is nothing wrong with pretty. All the beautiful pages can be an honor to God and your relationship with Him. If you love it, and have the time, make a beautiful page. But don’t ever let the pressure to make it look a certain way stop you from engaging in this practice.
Read Aloud Together
Now we are going to practice verse mapping together. Ask one person to read the following passage aloud:
1 Peter 1:13 - ESV
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
➤ Work Together to Complete the Verse Map Worksheet
Assign one person to each step one through five, if you have a large group, pair off people to work together.
Go around the room and share what you found, filling in the worksheet as you learn new information.
Together summarize the passage.
Discussion Questions
Do you find verse mapping intimidating?
What is your experience with verse mapping?
Do you ever feel pressure to make your quiet time look glamorous?
If you are in a season of hurry, how can you slow down this week to make time for verse mapping?
➤ Close in Prayer
Homework
Follow your reading plan. During this week, choose one verse each day to verse map. Aim to complete at least three verse maps this week.
In the PDF download for this post, there is a homework worksheet you can use as a guide.
Extra Resources
All Sessions for Unruffled:
More Studies:
