Below is an example of different markings methods

For the purpose of effective Bible marking, it's best to have a wide margin literal version - KJV, RV or RSV
The NIV, Living Bible, etc. may be easy to read but they aren't adequate as study Bibles.
Bibles are not just for casual reading - they're for serious, intense study. This isn't a chore or ritual but a delight. Unlike the vain imaginations of man which are recorded in mindless novels and movies, Scripture presents the realities of life, the universe, our Creator, and the future. This volume of 66 books contains Truth. This is the best non-fiction available to man and is of life giving benefit if applied correctly to our daily life.

It's best to use a 0.5 HB (or H or B) mechanical pencil for marking. Try not to use pens as these can blot (especially over time), and become visible on the reverse of the page. Pencil markings can be erased later. Stick with lead.

The first place to look for links to other references is the centre margin (or the bottom of the page)

Good links can be marked alongside.	Very good links can be carefully ringed.	Or neatly underlined and an arrow added for emphasis.

As you grow in Bible knowledge you can add your own links alongside the passages.

No need to write the book name if it is the same book. eg. 7v24-25 will do.	A freehand line can be drawn alongside. This beats underlining the whole verse.	Or one neatly drawn with a ruler or edge of a bookmark.

Instead of underlining the whole verse - look for keywords and underline those instead. Remember to look for emphasis in meanings. This will help in the understanding of Scripture.

An underlined verse - the previous methods are preferable though.

Use a thin line and try not to touch the text.

A continuation of ideas within a chapter can be shown by a small triangle...	...and another triangle to mark the end of the section.

		Whenever you see a list of items, number them before your mind wanders onto something else. Always ring the numbers or underline them - so this distinguishes them from the verse numbers.
For important key passages - draw a big arrow away from the side of the verse. This makes it stand out from the page and enables you to find key points quickly
Draw a circle if these are passages frequently used for discussions or debates. These are easily recognisable.

Some Bibles come with extra pages at the back. Use these wisely - you will find that you soon run out of space. First number them on the top right of each page, with big numbers. Then draw a dot at 1 and 2 thirds of the page. This breaks up each page into 3. A link can be created to these pages, eg. 7A = blank page 7 at the top, 7B = middle. Along the side of each divided portion write the theme and this will further contribute to you finding information quickly. Now you have your own index :)

There's no rule against annotating passages with diagrams. Copy things that are described picturesquely. When plants, rain, thorns, mountains, candles, coins, rivers, etc. are mentioned - draw these items at the bottom of the page and label them.

Colored pencils can also be used, eg. parables can be marked with purple, miracles with green, speeches with blue, prayers with orange, etc. Also mark next to each parable where they occur in the other gospels, eg. write a big P, followed with MT 7 in subscript. Only note the chapter - it isn't necessary to write the exact verses. If there are no other occurrences just write a P.

Have any additional methods? Please write to me and I'll post them here.
mark@theChristadelphians.org

Please visit the Study section to learn how to divide Scripture as noted in Timothy.

" Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth. "
2 Timothy 2:15