Read these tips for creating your own Bible color coding guide. Learn ways to create a Bible coloring chart that will help you with Bible marking.

How to Create Your Own Bible Color Coding System

Following pre-established methods of color coding your Bible can be fun, but the sky is the limit when it comes to creating your own. In just a few minutes a day, you can work toward deepening your understanding of various Bible principles, and you will become the owner of a uniquely colorful copy of God’s Word. 

Below are some general guidelines to help you get started when forging your own path with regards to simple Bible color coding. 

Choose Your Topics

While some of the existing methods include topics, such as prophecy and law, etc., you can tailor your approach to whatever is most needed in your life. For example, if you need to be reminded of the characteristics of God, you could make sure your categories include areas, such as His fairness, love, mercy, goodness, etc.

It really is up to you, and there are no rules that you need to follow. Bibles are usually inexpensive to buy, and so, if you are interested in studying out various things, you can always dedicate one Bible to one set of topics, and another Bible to something different.  

Assign Your Colors

This is where your creative side can really take over. You don’t need to only stick with the number of natural colors that exist, as you can also use combinations of hues. For example, if your number of topics exceeds the number of available colors, you can, for example, assign blue with purple underlining to a specific genre of scripture. 

Oftentimes, people associate various moods with certain shades of pigment. For example, blue is often felt as cool, calm or peaceful, whereas red is more vibrant, stimulating, and passionate. Brown tends to be neutral, and pink is soothing. You can correspond these various moods to your key. For example, if God’s mercy is a topic you’ve chosen and it makes you feel happy, you can always match it with yellow. 

The beauty in making your own system is that it is completely personalized to you and your needs and can also meet your own aesthetic preferences. 

Create a Coding Guide

This Bible color coding guide can be as simple or as ornate as you wish. For example, if you have just a few subjects you’re studying, you can make a simple legend that contains your selected colors next to their topics. 

You can also, however, add subtopics to the mix, and create a different manner of highlighting for each one. For example, if God is one of your topics, you can place other attributes under this, such as ‘justice, peace, power, etc., underneath. Each one can be illustrated using the same color, but for one you might just put a single line under the verse, draw a box around it, or an oval shape, thus distinguishing the exact import of the Scripture. 

You can write this Bible coloring chart key on the inside cover of your Bible, or you can make this into a standalone reference for marking up your Bible. Simply take a piece of cardstock and cut it to the appropriate size for the number of categories you have chosen. It’s up to you to leave it as is once you’ve filled in all the topics and their colors, or you can laminate it or even decoupage it onto a small piece of canvas, adding ornate colors and other decorations for some pizzazz. 

Start Coding

If possible, set aside some quiet time each morning to spend time in the word of God. If mornings are not good, try to consistently spend 20 minutes reading your Bible at a different time of the day.  

To begin, read the passage of Scripture for understanding, consulting commentaries if needed, after you’ve made your initial conclusions. Think about the contextual details, who is speaking and to whom. Decode the text as it applies and determine how this provides you with practical takeaways. You can also focus on a longer passage, reading over it initially but taking several days to map it out according to its meaning verse by verse. 

Next, consult your Bible color coding guide and choose the appropriate principles that correspond to the text, highlighting each portion applicable with the color shown and shape. Repeat!  

Not only is Bible marking a relaxing activity, but it is one that will allow you to go back through the Scripture when you need to find verses on a particular subject. You will find your knowledge of the Scriptures to be more thorough, as you’re taking the time to truly study out and learn what is meant in depth. 

Click the image below to download your Bible Color Coding System template: