How to Verse Map Scripture: A Practical Tool to Deepen Your Quiet Time

Learn how to verse map Scripture with this simple Bible study tool that helps you slow down, deepen your quiet time, and connect more closely with God.

Every morning at 6:30, I grab my Bible, my journal, and a pen. My quiet time isn’t about checking off a box for me anymore. It’s about connection.

One of my favorite practical tools that I use almost daily in my quiet times (and when I’m preparing to teach Bible study or write) to sink more deeply into Scripture is verse mapping.

Some of my pages are super simple, just underlining repeated words and jotting a thought or two.

Other times, my pages look like a messy web of arrows, notes, stick figures, and little doodles.

Sometimes I chase down Greek or Hebrew words. Sometimes I flip through commentaries. Sometimes I just sit with one phrase, praying it slowly back to God.

The point isn’t to get it “right.” The point is to deepen my understanding of the Word, which deepens my relationship with my God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1 (ESV)

What Is Verse Mapping?

At its core, verse mapping is a way of slowing down with a single verse (always in its context!) to notice details, patterns, and layers of meaning.

Think of it like a mind map + a prayer journal:

• underline or circle repeated words
• draw arrows to connect ideas
• write definitions of key words (sometimes from Greek/Hebrew)
• jot cross-references or cultural background
• sketch doodles or stick figures that help you picture the truth
• write reflections, questions, or prayers

It’s not about making your notes Instagram-pretty. It’s about creating space to notice, linger, and let Scripture speak.

“For the word of God is living and active…” — Hebrews 4:12
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” — Psalm 119:130

Why Verse Mapping Matters (and why I keep coming back)

When my brain is running on autopilot, I can read an entire chapter of Scripture and retain almost nothing. Verse mapping slows me to a prayerful pace so I savor instead of skim.

• It partners with the Spirit. I ask Him to illuminate and bring meaning to the text for me (John 14:26; Psalm 119:130). He loves to teach, remind, and apply God’s Word.
• It engages my mind differently. Physically writing (circling, boxing, drawing) helps my brain process differently than typing. I notice repeated words, contrasts, and cause→effect I’d miss at full speed.
• It deepens understanding. Digging into word meanings, cross-references, and context increases my theological knowledge. It roots me more firmly in His Truth. (Proverbs 2:6; 2 Timothy 2:15.)
• It keeps me relational. This isn’t just academic study. It’s a conversation. I’m not simply ‘doing devotions’. I’m a daughter sitting at my Father’s feet, learning His character and leaning into connection with Him.
• It deepens delight. There was absolutely a time when Bible study felt like academic work for me, but the more time I’ve spent in His Word, the more I fall in love with my Savior and even the act of studying it itself. “his delight is in the law of the LORD…meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). “This Book…you shall meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8).

Resources are very helpful, too! I draw from books, studies, devotionals, and commentaries. I especially love BibleRef.com for clear, concise context checks and verse meanings during my quiet time.

Walkthrough: How I Mapped These Three Verses (step by step)

There really isn’t a wrong way to verse map, but I wanted to show you some examples of mine. Below are verse maps I drew on my own journal pages, so you can see what stood out, how I marked it, and how I responded.

1) John 14:1 – “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.”

Here’s how I walked through this verse in my journal:

• First, I underlined the word “hearts.” My pastor had just mentioned in a sermon how Scripture talks about our hearts, so I added a few fresh words and notes in the margin to capture that.
• Next, I underlined the word “troubled.” Having a troubled heart feels very relatable to me, but I wanted to know what the original Greek word meant here. I looked it up and ended up creating a separate word bubble on another page of my journal to explore tarassō more deeply. It’s such a rich word, and it helped me to see where else it shows up in Scripture and in what contexts.
• Then, I boxed each occurrence of the word “believe.” Repetition always catches my attention because it usually signals emphasis. I drew arrows between them to highlight how central trust and relationship are in this verse.
• Finally, at the bottom of my page, I jotted a short takeaway note. Just a line or two to capture what God was impressing on my heart through this study.

2) Matthew 6:9 — “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

Here’s what I did with this verse:

• I circled the words “Our Father.” I wanted to remember that Jesus starts prayer with relationship, not requests. That simple phrase reminds me that I’m not approaching a distant God, I’m coming to a Father who loves me.
• Then I underlined “in heaven”. It stood out to me how heaven sounds like it’s far away, set apart, but how God is both intimately close and perfectly holy (set apart).
• Next, I circled the word “hallowed.” I just wanted to lean a little bit more into His holiness here, pure and set apart.
• Lastly, I underlined “your name” because, in Scripture, there is a lot of significance held in names, so I wanted to pay attention.

3) Matthew 6:21 — “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

In this verse map,

• I drew a box around the word “treasure” and noted some words and phrases from a study book on the topic.
• I sketched a wavy underline under the word “heart” to note that our hearts encompass both our thinking and our feelings, not just our emotions.
• I added stick figures and simple drawings to help imprint this verse into my mind.

Step-By-Step: How To Verse Map (the way I do it)

• Pray. Ask the Spirit to guide and teach you (James 1:5).
• Read in context. What comes before and after? Who is speaking, and why?
• Choose a verse. Write it out by hand (I’m a big believer that physically writing it out helps your brain soak in the meaning differently/more deeply).
• Circle and underline. Look for repeats, contrasts, commands, or cause/effect.
• Define a word or two. Look into the original Greek/Hebrew word definitions to paint a more thorough picture of the passage.
• Draw connections. Arrows, doodles, or symbols – whatever helps you see.
• Write reflections. What does this verse mean? What does it show me about God? How does that impact me right now?
• Respond in prayer. Turn the verse into a conversation. Ask questions. Listen. Learn. Respond.

Even if you only have ten minutes, you can do this. And if you have more time, you can dig as deep as you want.

A Blessing for Your Time in the Word

May the Lord draw you nearer to Himself and meet you personally as you linger with His Word.

May the Spirit teach you and bring to remembrance all that Jesus has said (John 14:26), and may the Word dwell richly in you, transforming you from the inside out. (Colossians 3:16; John 15:5).