How to take better sermon notes.

I started taking sermon notes after watching my mother do so for several years on the back of bulletins, loose paper, etc. I started this way as well, but being much younger I always loved fancy notebooks. So I got a black and white notebook smaller than my bible, but almost just as thick with a rhinestone clip. I filled it up, but it wasn't til after I filled it up I realized it just wasn't realistic. When I went to college I seemed to get more realistic, reality really was setting in I guess. I downsized my Bible and my notebook. You can find similar ones here and here. I personally really like to use the moleskin notebooks because they are super thin and fit perfectly inside my Bible.

Notice the dog paw, thats my Fitzgerald, usually a loner but not this morning, couldn't get him away!

College is over and I'm still using the same Bible, that says a lot for me, I fell in love with it so much more during that time in my life and really learned and grew so much during that time of life and we have sort of an attachment. I hope you have that too! It has coffee stains and rips and at first I hated the thought of that but now I remember little moments when that happened, like the coffee I spilt in the middle of a class lecture on the book of Genesis and that wonderful coffee from Jazzmans Cafe!

Anyway, sermon notes...

1. Know why you are there to begin with

We need to come to church with a heart that is seeking God. We are not there to be entertained but to know Him more.

2. Don't try to write everything down

Some people know shorthand and this can be helpful, I do not. Listen to the Pastor he normally will make certain points or even say "write this down." Go off of his points for a good outline.

3. Always write down additional scripture references

This helps when you look back over your notes and do more studying throughout the following weeks.

4. Write down questions

If you have a question write it down and ask the pastor later he would love to answer your questions

5. Record application and prayer points

If you are reading a passage of scripture and someone pops into your mind, write their name down that is the Holy Spirit prompting you to pray for them or talk to them. Although a word of caution: when listening to a sermon we shouldn't be trying to think "So and so should be here to hear this." We should be thinking about how this applies to us and our walk with the Lord.

6. REVIEW!!

Don't just write everything down and leave it there in your Bible or on your coffee table, go back to it, understand it. I have several of my notebooks and I will go back to them and remember certain things a pastor said or that I needed for encouragement. Sometimes I go back and gain more knowledge on a subject for a lesson that I am doing. Use what you write, apply it to your life!

Something I do when I am reading is if something sticks out that I want to study more or would love to teach a lesson on is I will write that down. Like above in the book of Genesis where I notes a pro-life story on Ishmael's life.

Take note of important facts as well, the first prophecy. While I did take a theology class and Bible classes while in college and learned so much from it, you do have Google and a Bible-use it! You can learn so much history!