My EXHAUSTIVE Bible Study System 

Hey everyone! If you like my content here on RU-vid, please consider ordering my new book called "Souls: How Jesus Saves Sinners." It contains my best stuff on the simple, pure, glorious Gospel. God saves us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Get it here: amzn.to/3yI0y4P

I love to see a well used Bible. Great to see such enthusiasm for God's word. I have bad handwriting and it put me off for so long from writing in my Bible and journalling, but this year I just did it anyway and I am loving my time with God. I write to Him every day and my relationship with Him is growing deeper. Praise Him for His patience and grace. I have been saved 20+ years and am only just moving on from milk to meat. So sad I wasted all that time, but grateful for a forgiving Father who has been waiting all this time for me to realise He was what I needed all along! Duh! 🤣 Sending blessings from UK.

This is great!!!

The thought you have put into your organisation and getting the best out of yourself is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this, it’s both motivating and instructive.

This system is fantastic!! I’ve been trying to “perfect” my own system. This is extremely helpful! Even a wide margin doesn’t give enough rooms sometimes. I’m not a preacher or a teacher, but I enjoy reading and studying. I’ve learned a lot from your channel! Especially now as we are quarantined!

Thank you for sharing your system! I appreciate the time you take out of our busy schedule to share these types of things with us! Blessings to you.

Thanks you for sharing this. You do not know how much these kinda videos help Me (and others) to progress in our own personal studies. Thank you brother!!!

OMGOSH your an absolute inspiration. I’m really new in my faith and struggle with remembering and understanding scripture and what you’ve just described about how you note take in each of the books with little info guiding you where more info is. It’s a pretty great idea. I have a few bibles and journals and note pads etc as well as commentaries concordance books and journaling bibles but I truly struggle with where to go what to study and even how to study properly. You have though gave me some wonderful information and it’s truly inspired me and gave me a few good ideas on how to achieve things. TFS and God Bless

you should do a video on how you organize your workspace. That is your desk and computer/phone.

Man you are such an encouragement! Keep it up!

Pastor Matthew-thank you so much for taking the time to explain all of this! I am going to incorporate many of these ideas into my study time.

I have to say you have a fantastic, organized system of study and sermon preparation. You must be a great pastor, as you seem to be on top of things. I will be incorporating some of these things into my own Bible study, thank you!

Great video! Inspirational for improved study in my study. Thanks for sharing!

Greetings Pastor Mark. I started looking at your videos because of bible reviews, but I have now been digesting a few of your other videos. Thank you for the encouraging teachings and messages. Peace

Thanks for the video Matthew. It was very interesting indeed. I have been using this system for years but have developed my own colour system for underlining verses and passages. I know that there are a lot of bibles with coloured passages, but I have found that when I used my own colour scheme I remembered and recognised passages better. God Bless you in his work. Keep studying.

From someone in college for ministry. I always enjoy your videos. I enjoy your motivation amd information. Def helps with my studies.

I love all the great and practical ideas. Thank you so much for sharing!

Thank you for posting this. Definitely gives me some ideas of how I want to build my study system. Mine will not be nearly as exhaustive as a layperson. However, I have been on a quest to find a new study bible to change things up a bit. God Bless.

Love the system you are using, I share your passion for Biblical study, writing, preaching, and teaching. I am a contributor to a commentary on First & Second Chronicles that will be published on the LOGOS Bible software, and other works in Genesis, and church history. I pastor in Michigan. Looking forward to watching more videos.

Good stuff, over the years I have tried many things... Your Google Keep (I use Evernote) and Crossway Journaling Bible inspired me to hack some code together... Still brainstorming exactly how it would work... but the thoughts are flowing. Thanks.

You're brilliant Matthew, inspired from the Scriptures, absolutely beautiful

My respect for you just shot way up, not that it was low to begin with. If I am even half as a organized as you when I’m your age I’ll consider myself quite a productive person and a solid preacher. Seriously, your new church is very blessed to have you as their pastor. Keep working hard sir.

That scripture journal is amazing!!!! Never heard of these!!

I love this video. I've watched it at least three times. I would like to see more of these . Love your videos!!

Wow!! thanks for the video!! Very good! Very informative!!

Ordered that book! Thank you

What a great video. Thanks for sharing the information!

I've tried a couple of note taking system in my Bible, but this one sets bar. Thank you for sharing this wonderful insight.

Great, inspirational content!

Wow! I just stumbled over this video, or God led me here because it's just what I've been needing. I'm an old geezer with a memory that isn't nearly as good as it once was, so I need more and more organization just to keep up. I'm not sure I agree that one man can't be an expert on all sixty-six books of the Bible. On your own, no, it would be impossible, but when you read dozens of multi-author books by those who are experts, and when you read hundreds of books outside of this, you have their expertise, as well as your own. This is why such men of God spend a lifetime on one book, and why they get together to create a volume. It's so we can gain from all their experience. Such a volume contains sixty-six lifetimes of expertise. Never could we do this on our own, but we don't have to because they spent those lifetimes so the rest of us wouldn't have to do so. I strongly suspect you are such an expert, even if modesty prevents you from saying so. One thing I know for certain. You take "The love of money is the root of all evil" seriously. I know this because the links you posted are going to separate me from most of the money I have. I won't be doing anything on a smart phone, however. I just traded mine in for a Jitterbug flip phone. Too many things on the smart phone I didn't want to see, and too many things that just wasted my time. I can use my laptop when I need the internet, and I can control content much easier on it. Now I'll be fine, if I can just stop saying, "Kirk to Enterprise" every time i flip it open.

PS - I highly recommend your book too! I'm currently reading/studying it now.

Just bought my hubby 3 Scripture journals.. was limited in what was available on the website I use here in South Korea but VERY excited to give it to him.. This is the 2nd item I've bought today because I saw that you had it.. But, I hope that it will help my husband as he starts Bible college next semester..

Thank you for these ideas. Just started bible studying using a Bible journal and did not occur to me to have different bibles for different purposes or how to use a separate journal... This was awesome!

My handwriting is one of the hindrances that's kept me from note taking throughout my life. Thank you for helping me understand more about studying better. I've got a wide margin on order to start note taking.

Thanks for sharing. Happy Resurrection Sunday ❤️

It's good to see how a pro organizes his study. We all get to decide how proficient with the Sword we become. Thanks for a good vid.

This was great. thank you!

This video is Fantastic!

Pastor Matt, when I watch your videos it always ends up costing me money! Lol. I enjoy your videos immensely. I ended up purchasing the ESV Journaling interleaf Bible as well as a hardback journal to start my own miscellanies. I own the Cambridge ESV Wide Margin so I look forward to incorporating all three together. Any tips that you have on beginning the miscellanies? Thank so much for all your videos! I appreciate them and look forward to when you post them.

Excellent video I am trying to understand how your system works and having a hard time understanding...praying for understanding and will be watching it again...ty

Thanks, Great Information.

I admire your conviction and dedication to the Word of God and to mentoring others.

Perhaps you could work with Logos to help them figure out how to get their Notes system to work like your system. They would probably say that it already does. If so, then perhaps they could create a video to show the rest of us how to do Bible study and note taking like you do but with digital tools. God bless you. This was great.

You posted this video the day before my birthday

OH MY GOODNESS, I love!!! those journals for each book of the bible. In the PCA, our teaching elders (pastors) preach through whole books of the Bible. What a great way to make complete notes book by book. Also a great idea if you are a BSFer (Bible Study Fellowship) (Shameless plug)

Thickly noted bible... a great gift one day to a loved one.

that's a lot! 😀 nice. thanks for sharing

I've been reading the bible for a couple of months now and still trying to figure out what's best for my reading process and note taking. Love the number refenrece to your notes on bible instead of trying to fit in too much wording into the bible. Thank you. Also what do you think of a life application bible ?

Mathew, this is just what I needed ! Thank you. Jesus is King of Kings...

God bless you, I've been thinking of also taking notes on my bible but it just pains me a bit to write all over it. Was thinking of getting one of those Rocketbook note books that lets you take notes and transfer them into a memory cloud for usage and easy referencing.

Pastor, Great video! Wondering what happened to the Esv Lion? Thought that was your New preaching bible?

I’ve subscribed and been watching your videos since the lockdown started here in the UK. I’ve now got a Cambridge wide margin and started my own notebook of miscellanies . Thank you for enhancing my bible study, I’m also looking at getting one of those blank bibles but I’m not a theologian or a preacher, I just love to study the word. My family worry about my collection of bibles lol. I attend an evangelical church which is fairly conservative, is that similar to your type of church?

Great information. Truly appreciated. Have you looked into Logos software? You can do all that note-taking and it becomes integrated and searchable your own commentary. Save a lot of work and time as it does not have to be all over the place on several books but centralized and easy to find.

It sure is inviting and relaxing to settle in for a video you call EXHAUSTIVE. Okay, just a small joke. Keep up the dang fine work!

I like the sound of your voice Pastor Mat. I just viewed my first video of yours a moment ago and I'm glad I stumbled upon this. Divine Providence, am I right?

Pastor Matt, I have really enjoyed everything you put out on your channel, so thank you for extending your time to a whole host of people you have never met. I do have two questions from a laypersons perspective. 1. What two commentaries do you recommend for the layperson? 2. I can buy either of the Cambridge or the Crossway wide margins which do you think is better for the layperson? I know you went to the Crossway because of its size and portability for preaching. God Bless! Danny

Hey Pastor Matt, love your videos. I’m a pastor as well and I love seeing you explain your systems! Quick question: why do you use a wide margin vs the scripture journals that crossway and other publishers are releasing now?

Love it. I’ve already stole a few things from and will be stealing more lol

Thank you!

Thanks for this study system overview. I'm an avid notetaker, but not nearly as organized as you. Maybe I should treat my study more professionally. 🤔

Really, really helpful. Thanks so much for sharing your insights! So is the paper in the ESV Heirloom WM printed by Jongbloed better quality paper than the ESV Top Grain WM version that's printed in China?

I appreciate your videos! Thanks for taking the time to produce them. One question; have you considered moving your notes to electronic format? Either using a third party platform, such as Evernote, or utilizing Word/etc.? Thanks.

I did not realize that you are also an author. I looked on Amazon and a number of them look like good reads. I'll have to save up.

Amen and amen!

Thank you for your explanation. I have begun my own Miscellanies Journal a few months ago. I have a question about that. You mentioned that one Miscellany references multiple Scriptures. Would you write the Miscellanies note in the Wide Margin Bible only in the first Scripture reference or in each reference? Say, you have a Miscellany that covers Genesis, Ruth, and Matthew. Would you write the Miscellany reference only in the first Genesis passage or in each passage from Genesis, Ruth, and Matthew?

What do you use to carry with you each day? Do you carry the esv wide margin bible to replace your Esv Pitt Minion?

Hello! I am wondering once I am done with one misc journey how are you organizing the completed table of contents? Thanks I love the system and your dedication. Keep more videos coming.

Hi Matt, I really enjoy your channel. I don't comment often, but I did want to ask about your use of pens. I have noticed you and what seems like everyone else online write in permanent markers (pens) in their bible. I use a pencil for some of the very reasons you described in this video; rewriting some of your clearer thoughts and in a more neatly and formatted way. I am just curious why more people don't use a pencil, beside making it permanent? I love to be able to erase a thought, re-word it, or change a reference to somewhere else. Also, just wanted to say thanks for the Jonathan Edwards idea of how he kept notes. My wife got me a nice leather journal with lines so I could start adding my own personal notes. Maranatha.

Rev. Everhard, can you recommend a bible study series to help Reformed Christians self study the books of the Bible? Love your videos. Thanks, Adam

They also make LOOSE-LEAF Bibles, which are unwieldy and awkward for everyday reading, but can be great for projects like the commentary you're building, for "miscellanies"-style notes that are specific to a particular book or passage, etc.

What do you now use for your everyday carry? I think the Cambridge Pitt font got too small? Just bought your book by the way :)

I was just thinking about how I should go about studying the bible and especially how to take and keep notes and you uploaded this video - great timing. I tend to do most things digitally, but I just started a paper notebook to cultivate more disciplined meditation on biblical topics with an aid of a pen. I actually got this idea from Jonathan Edwards, for I heard that he was taught by his father to do the thinking with a pen in hand and that he did so throughout his life. I was actually meant to ask you about this since you study Edwards. So can you tell any details how Edwards did this thinking with a pen in hand? Was he like meditating on certain biblical topics or was it simply more - how I would say it - "mechanical, study-like" writing or what was it all about?

I don’t know if you have children or not, but from someone whose father is not walking with the Lord - I pray and believe this will be such a treasure for them some day.

Hey, brother. Where does personal journaling fit in with your system? A place where you just write down what’s on your mind or things you’re struggling with, etc? I currently have two journals going. One is for that purpose. The other is for my notes as I work through Romans (something I’ve intended to do for a very long time). Thanks for any input and the content. Always encouraging.

This was very very helpful and informative. You mention you wake up and read 3-4 chapters at a time (with the help of 2 cups of coffee and I very well need this as well). My question is do you study 3-4 chapters in the same book, or do you possibly do 1-2 chapter OT and 1-2 chapters NT. Thanks

I would like to get your second edition of Hold Fast. Thanks

amazing.. When possible you could teach how you do to organize your notes with google Keep?...as a tutorial

John 3:5-7, Acts 2:38, 8:16, 10:44-48, 19:2-6, 22:16

If you do do your morning reading in your Pitt Minion (say you’re traveling) how do you keep your notes you would normally take during a reading? Do you transfer them over? Or if traveling where you know you’ll do your devotions do you just take the WM? Sincerely, going away for the weekend and don’t wanna take the eagle 😂

Surprised you started moving to Crossway Bibles, especially after using Cambridge. You even mentioned my biggest problem with the Heirlooms, page curling. I've loved the durability of Cambridge paper for daily use, especially compared to Crossway. Seems like overall you are enjoying the move to Heirloom though? Would love to hear your thoughts. I'm praying Cambridge releases a "thin line" type edition...larger than Pitt, smaller than the new Topaz, but better paper and references than the Heirloom Thinline.

Thanks Bro. Matt. Would you recommend using a bible software like logos for your bible study and sermon notes? Basically which is your preference and why?

The ESV wide margin hey ;) what happened to the Cambridge?

Did you find it difficult transitioning to the Crossway ESV WideMargin Bible after using the Cambridge bibles for so many years? Do you find it bothersome that scriptures were at different places on the page? Do you miss the familiarity, or is it refreshing going to something new and different? Also, what is your daily carry bible?

so your google keep is another collection of your thoughts or is it more defined than that? I know you said it in the video but for some reason, it just didn't click for me exactly what that list was in relation to the terms you were listing?

Thank You,,,very orderly.~~~

Great video! Looks like a black letter. I just got a new wide margin Bible and am in the process of transferring my notes. It’s also black letter. Do you mark the words of Jesus? I’ve always used red letter texts and have been used to it.

How often do you utilize digital Bibles such as Logos? I carry a KJV paper Bible to Sunday service but I carry my laptop to our study sessions and use Olive Tree and/or Logos.

Pastor, can you tell us what nib you use on your Crossway WM? Doesn't look like 005. Thanks!

John Macarthur is the best!! thanks for the video

Pastor Matthew, Do ever provide a list of which commentaires you use for books like Genesis, Matthew, and John?

Question regarding miscellanies numbering in your Bible. So depending on your notes you could have numerous scriptures pertaining to your thought. Do you go to each of these and reference the miscellaneis number? What if you use the same scriptures for other ones too, do you reference it with the numbers every time?

Thank you sharing Pastor Matt.

Does anyone know if any of these resources are available in Spanish? These would make a wonderful gift for my dad. Pastor of a Spanish congregation. Thank you!

Nice vid! So what happens if one day your understanding of a particular passage changes? Or you change your belief on a certain topic. Do you cross out your notes/commentary and rewrite it? Thanks

Hi Matthew - new subscriber - do you have any videos on your Google Keep system? Thanks and God bless!

Hey Dr. Everhard, how are your notes structured? What do you usually write as a note on a certain verse?

Could you please link the miscellaneous system videos for me. Thanks

I like your journal and system. But I don't understand what MO stands for.

Hi I enjoyed this video and want to start a miscellaneous journal. I clicked on the link of your journal but I couldn't find it. Can you post the link again? Thank you and God bless you.

Hey Matt...What is your thoughts on the Thompson Chain Bible as a reference Bible?