Color-Coding and note taking Systems That Actually Help You Grow

Your Bible is not a museum piece. It’s a life manual, a love letter, and a battle plan—meant to be used, underlined, highlighted, and written in until the pages feel like old friends. A thoughtful marking system turns a clean Bible into a personalized roadmap of everything God has taught you.

Here’s how to do it without ruining your Bible or turning it into a rainbow explosion that helps no one.

Step 1: Choose Your Tools (Keep It Simple)

• Black 0.5 mm Pentel EnerGel RTX Pen (This is what I use)

• Pigma Micron pens (01, 03, 05) – archival, no bleed. I have heard others use these and love them.

• Mr. Pen Bible highlighters (This is what I use) – wax-based, no bleed-through

• It's best to choose a Bible that is a note-taking Bible if you wish to take notes in your Bible. Here is a link to the Bible I use and prefer. 

• If you choose system A, B, or C: Color ballpoint set (Pilot Hi-Tec-C Coleto or Zebra Sarasa Multi)

Avoid using cheap pens and yellow highlighters—they tend to bleed through and fade easily

Step 2: Pick a System That Matches How Your Brain Works

Here are the four most effective systems people actually stick with long-term.

System A – The Classic Inductive Method

Colors:

• Yellow → God (Father, names, attributes, actions)

• Purple → Jesus / Messiah / Son of God

• Red → Holy Spirit

• Green → Promises & blessings

• Orange → Sin, rebellion, commands to obey

• Blue → Prayer, praise, worship

• Brown → Prophecy & fulfillment

• Pink → Salvation words

Symbols:

• Triangle over God, cross over Jesus, flame/dove over Spirit

• Green underline for promises

• Red box around warnings/commands

Best for: People who love structure and want to see the Trinity on every page.

System B – Topic & Theme System (More Popular)

6–8 colors only:

1. Yellow – God speaking or direct words of God/Jesus (also underline in red for Jesus’ words)

2. Orange – Promises & blessings I can claim

3. Green – Commands & instructions to obey

4. Blue – Sin to avoid / warnings

5. Purple – Prayer, faith, and spiritual growth

6. Pink – Salvation & gospel truths

7. Brown – Prophecy (unfulfilled = dotted underline, fulfilled = solid)

8. Gray – People, places, or historical details

Best for: Topical studies and quick reference later.

System C – Emotion & Application System

Colors represent your response:

• Pink – Verses that comfort or encourage me

• Blue – Verses that convict or challenge me

• Green – Verses I’m praying for myself or others

• Yellow – Attributes of God that amaze me

• Orange – Warnings I need to heed right now

Best for: Devotional reading and heart-level engagement.

System D – Minimalist One-Color (My personal favorite, the one I use)

Use only a black pen + one yellow highlighter

• Take notes for verses in the note-taking margins

• Underline & highlight key verses 

• Box key words

• Use arrows for direction to other notes

Use a note-taking Bible with large, lined margins where you can take full notes and thoughts, as well as "See also" verses. Indicate the verse you are taking notes on by using "V", then the verse number. So, for example, verse 9 would look like V9 in your margin, then directly after that, you would write your note on that verse. See the photo below of a page out of my bible.

Step 3: Rules to Keep It Useful 10 Years from Now

1. Be consistent – whatever system you pick, use it everywhere.

2. Never mark while you’re angry or in a hurry.

3. Use the outer margin for notes and cross-reference verses.

Important Bonus Tips

• Start with a wide-margin or journaling / note-taking Bible.

• Photocopy your color key and tape it inside the front cover.

• Don’t try to mark everything—only what stops you in your tracks.

• Re-read marked sections once a year. You’ll be stunned by how God used the same verses in new ways.

Your marked-up Bible will eventually become the most valuable thing you own—more than your phone, your car, or your degree. It becomes a visible record of a real relationship with a living God.

 So pick up the pen. The pages can handle it. And so can He. 

Ready to start? Grab your Bible and mark the verse that means the most to you right now. Ten years from now, you’ll turn to that page and remember exactly where God met you today.