Make a Habit of Taking Notes During Your Quiet Time

Recently in my college classes we talked about reading strategies. One of the things that we discuss is a strategy to be a critical thinker and reader. In turn this practice enables us to be a better learner and understand and retain information better. The strategy we learn is taking notes (or annotating) while reading. We tell our students that simply holding a pen or pencil in your hand creates an active reader of you. This is a great approach to use during bible reading and quiet times too.

Unfortunately, this is a strategy that has fallen a bit by the wayside for me during my own bible reading times. It’s something that I’ve always been so good about in the past. Lately though, I’ve grown a bit lax and more intermittent in taking notes or journaling during my quiet times. I guess I had gotten out of the habit.

I’ve noticed a pattern when I write notes less. I tend to remember less, and I notice a little deceleration in my spiritual growth. Sometimes I have even tangibly “felt” further from God. It’s been a noticeable difference for me in hindsight.

Lately, I have sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to go back to what I did before. I remembered that before I was more consistent in journaling and in taking notes during my quiet times. During those times of my life when I took more notes and journaled, I grew more spiritually.

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:5 (NIV) 

During times of your life when you take more notes and journal, you will grow more spiritually.

Click To Tweet

Benefits of taking notes and journaling

I know firsthand of the benefits of taking notes. You’d think I’d be better about practicing what I preach! I guess sometimes even I need reminders. I’ve written before about why it’s important to write things down and take handwritten notes. Some of the advantages to taking notes and journaling I discussed in previous posts were…

• Scientific research shows it’s proven to help with remembering the information better—we remember more of what we write down.
• This article discusses how our brains are engaged more and we learn more when taking notes.
• It helps the information to take root into our minds and spirit.
• Writing things down gives us something to go back and reference later during a time of need or just as a timely reminder.
• Writing things down can be a record and evidence of our growth and progress as we look back on our notes.
• Our written notes can be a resource to share with others or from which others can learn.

Maybe my notes and journals aren’t just for me

There’s a good chance that some of the blogs you read might have come out of one of my journal entries from maybe 20 years ago! In fact the title image at the top of this blog post shows several of my own journals that I’ve keep over the years (and still look back on and use). I’m definitely paying forward some of my old notes and lessons in a variety of ways.

Who knows, maybe my kids, grandkids, or even great-grandkids and on will read through, relate to, and learn from what I’m writing now. What I wouldn’t give to be able to read through some of my late granny’s writings if she had them! Or even some of my other “ancestors”.

My crazy vision

I also have this crazy vision from time to time that I’ll share with you. OK bear with me here! I get these bizarre thoughts or daydreams sometimes that probably amount to nothing…but what if they don’t? So, I don’t always disregard them for that reason. You know, God works in some weird ways sometimes that seem kind of crazy to others.

Anyhow, back to this crazy vision I have. There is a weird image I have thought about from time to time about how my journals and notes are going to help people after the rapture! 😂 I picture being taken up in the rapture then my house is empty and abandoned, because of course my whole family will be raptured too.

The following part of my daydream is probably inspired by the Left Behind series of books! Next, I imagine those who are left behind going into abandoned homes. Some are searching for answers; some are probably just up to no good. I imagine some people that come across my journals and somehow they learn from them, get “discipled” by them, and turn their lives to Jesus. Then maybe they share that with others and so on. My imagination could continue to go wild here if I let it….I mean I could go on imagining a whole underground society and bible study and church being started all prompted from my journals! Okay, so lofty thinking I know, but a girl can dream.

Occasionally I think of that though when I’m writing. This prompts me to try to write in such a way that if somebody else were to pick up my notebooks and read them they could understand them. When I have those thoughts, versions of this verse comes to mind…

Habakkuk 2:2

NLT

“Then the Lord said to me, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.”

ERV

“The Lord answered me, “Write down what I show you. Write it clearly on a sign so that the message will be easy to read.”

NCV

“The LORD answered me: “Write down the vision; write it clearly on clay tablets so whoever reads it can run to tell others.”

What can you learn from my convictions to start taking notes again and from my zany imagination? If I need reminders, maybe you do too?

Take Some Practical Steps to Start Taking Notes During Your Quiet Time:

• Be intentional—Commit to start taking notes and journaling during your quiet time or bible reading times.

If you’re not a note taker, maybe it’s time to start. If you’ve faltered a bit like me, maybe it’s time to go back to what you did before to accelerate some of that spiritual growth again. The Bible encourages people in several places to take notes and write things down:

“…the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder…” Exodus 17:14 (NLT)

“This says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.” Jeremiah 30:2 (AMP)

“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” Habakkuk 2:2 (ESV)

“On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”…Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Revelation 1:10-11, 19 (NIV)

• Go buy a small notebook or journal to start writing things down.

You can get a cheap spiral notebook from your local dollar store. If you like more decorative journals, check out your local discount department stores. I like to get nice journals at a great price from places like Marshalls, T. J. Maxx, or Ross (usually only $4-$8 for a good quality notebook–they have manly ones too, don’t worry!). Once you have your notebook, keep it with your Bible or wherever you do your quiet times. I usually write my journal starting and ending dates on the cover or front page—this is helpful later if you have several.  What a cool thing to pass down to your kids and grandkids someday too (or maybe even leave for people to find after the rapture! heehee!).

• Read with a pen in hand and a notebook ready.

Give God something to work with. Be prepared to write down anything significant that you come across, anything new you learn, anything that stands out, and/or anything that God speaks to you during your reading time. Write down what God shows you and what the Holy Spirit imparts to you as you’re doing your quiet times. You’ll remember it better and you’ll have something to refer back to later in life. Even if you don’t need it at that moment you might need what you write down later or somebody else might need it later. Taking notes now means you’ll have it to go back and look at.

When you make this a habit, I think you’ll start to see some changes in your spiritual growth over time. I believe you’ll see the benefits of this practice if you make it a part of your daily routine! 

Do you make a habit of taking notes or journaling during your quiet times? Do you have any stories, tips, or benefits you’d like to share? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are rude, disrespectful, sarcastic, offensive, or off-topic.  By posting on this site you agree to my Comment Policy.

P.S.  If you liked this post, you might enjoy receiving new posts delivered right to your inbox each week!  Sign up here. 

If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)