How to Journal | Jonathan Edwards Notetaking Method

I've started following a method of journaling recently that has helped me be more organized and systematic. It might sound a little "type A" or "nerdy" at first, but I promise you'll love it. Hope this helps!

[@MichaelBuckley284]

I saw someone else mention it elsewhere but they recommended starting the table of contents in the rear of the journal so as you start writing your miscellanies from the front to the the rear you don't have to worry about running out of space for your table of contents. I have found it useful and thought other viewers perusing the comments may benefit from considering using it. Thanks for the video!

[@adeodata6364]

That's an awesome idea. And it seems so obvious ! 😂 Thanks for sharing 👌

[@manishmishraji]

This makes a lot of sense. Thank you.

[@manishmishraji]

Another option is to put the page no of the next index, whichd be somewhere in middle of the journal, right in the 1st index itself.

[@Musicienne-DAB1995]

Excellent video. The Bible requires immense discipline to understand, and learning never ends. Also, such journals do not just serve you in life, but can be bequeathed to relatives in death. I notice that writing by hand really helps with processing thoughts in an intelligent way. Edwards' genius system reminds me once again never to scorn the knowledge of those who came before us. Also, I really hope men do not despise journalling. So many great men in history left extensive diaries and journals. The degradation of modern Western culture should be motivation to get back to meaningful habits and self restraint. (Obviously applies to women, too). Thanks !

[@sarahyip2825]

After watching read some helpful comments here. Am not a pastor nor a scholar but simply someone who wants to capture the Aha moments when 3 aspects seem to meet as I reflect. The 3 aspects are the Word, a Prayer situation and Light from the Holy Spirit from a prompt in daily life. We would have been waiting, in Ps Mike's words, seeking answers for a week or a month when something "clicked" inside us. The moment of clarity is truly edifying and even emotional when truth/ wisdom/ love illuminate and give strength as we walk on this earth. Worthwhile moments after a period of searching, bible reading and other daily inputs to our thought life. Just wanted a more personal plan. So I put on paper along the 3 sides of a triangle the three aspects mentioned above. And in the centre I put the all defining phrase "Go to God", to use Mike's words again. Then followed by the epiphany and whatever verses that contribute to the Aha moment. So thanks for your words Ps Mike!

[@douglasdiaz4109]

Thank You very much for this video. But I must admit I think this wasn’t what I was looking for. I had been looking at numerous videos concerning Jonathan Edwards on note taking. I was impressed with this system. For my purpose if I were to follow this system I believe it would be time consuming, again I really loved it. So I started it and again for me it wasn’t working. Not the mechanics of it but I was making it specifically for me. Now, I had looked at your video a few times, thinking it wasn’t what I was looking for. After I started to follow others explaining Jonathan Edwards I was impressive, but after contemplating I decided to look at your video again and wouldn’t you know it, the way you presented this on your video and how you use it, I liked it. And I use this system how you use it. Thank You so much and God Bless. One more thing I need to really stress the ones that told how they use the Jonathan Edwards it was all good. I just wanted to make it to serve my needs. I am not a scholar, preacher/pastor, no longer a college student (that was over 45 years ago) I just love reading God’s Word, getting to know Him, and continually preparing myself to what Jesus wanted us to and that is to be fishers of men. Again, thank you.

[@mikenewms]

Glad it encouraged and helped you!

[@stitchingsecurityguard]

Im a grown woman (60+)wanting to journal through The Bible. I believe this will work. I may use my Trapper Keeper I recieved for Christmas!

[@ninjabme]

Very helpful, Mike, thank you. Continuing to pray for your church and family. Love you guys!

[@ReadJournalLove]

I like your monogrammed journal. That was a nice gift!

[@masterninja4010]

Thanks, brother. Jonathan Edwards is my favorite theologian. I sometimes have a hard time not putting him on a pedestal. I’ll try this method.

[@bleueyes28]

Your vid showed up in my feed and caught my attention, as I'm friends with the great-great-great grandson of Jonathan Edwards who shares the same name. We went to LIFE Pacific University together in SoCal. Great info you've shared, thank you.

[@mikenewms]

Please greet him for me and share with Him that his great-great-great grandfather has ministered to my heart and many others over the years.

[@heritagejoy]

Love the table of contents idea like that’s so wise lol

[@Budgie_Bop]

Seen a video like this before but yours makes it more or less stigmatic for men to journal.. especially being a transguy it helps me :)

[@chrisstapleton1673]

Thank you brother. Very helpful. God bless you 🎚

[@Diggum1166]

This was really well explained and a lot simpler than another video I watched on the same concept. What do you do though when you fill up a journal? How do you designate which journal you’re referring to in your Bible? I think I’m going to incorporate this discipline into my time in the word and prayer. Thanks for any input you may have and no rush to answer. I’m just always looking for ways to improve my intake of the Word of God and just happened to come across your video. Blessings and Happy New Year.

[@mikenewms]

Raymond, I'm glad this video was helpful to you. I'm sure there are a number of ways to go about it. It depends if you like to read new versions vs. staying with the same bible year after year. In the past, I've given my bibles away to people I've discipled. But if you want to keep the same bible, my recommendation would be to keep the table of contents counting up from journal to journal. For example, journal #1 has entries M001-M100, Journal #2 is M101-200, etc. Happy to help if you have questions.

[@Diggum1166]

@@mikenewms Thank you for responding and what you have advised makes a lot of sense. Again thanks for the video.

[@adeodata6364]

@@mikenewms It seems logical, but coming to think of it, why keep using the M for miscellanies? We know they're miscellanies, don't we? I'm just going to call my first journal A, the second B, etc., so that the number of miscellanies doesn't get HUGE after using several notebooks (which would also occupy more space in the margins of my bibles, as in M1435 for instance). And if I use so many journals that I finish the alphabet, which I doubt, I'll start over again with an AA journal etc. God bless 😁🙏

[@ianasher-g2g]

I use the same method. Love it.

[@margaretjensen5258]

Very interesting.

[@leedwards4486]

Thank you for sharing this note taking method. It’s structure is moving me in the direction I’d like to go.

[@Normal1855]

You gave the best explanation of how to take notes, and Journaling. Basically your thoughts and ideas. Also, do you study by subject, chapter, or character?

[@Yeshuite]

How would the miscellany system work while taking notes from an extra biblical source like a book on theology? Would you start a Notes page and then if other miscellanies happen to be in between continue them in different pages? Or would you take notes on this in a completely separate journal and then add those as a fully realized seriously thought through journal?

[@mikenewms]

that'd work! I just keep one journal for everything and fill it up so I'm not caring around 12 journals, you know?

[@drewgray2919]

This was great. Thanks for sharing! Do you use this same journal when studying the Bible or keep that separate? My issue right now is how to successfully keep study notes when learning Gods word. Thanks again God bless!

[@beyonceb599]

God Bess you brother

[@joca1129]

do you keep your sermon notes, and quite thoughts notes separate? i want to journal, but i find that i dont know exactly how to structure it. help me pleassee. lol

[@mikenewms]

Jose, great question. I think as you start to use this method, you'll find what you like/don't like. I would encourage anyone not to make your journal a "to do" list. It is so tempting...for me anyway. Other than my to do's, I try to keep it all in the journal...sermon reflections, prayers, musings, vision for our church, etc.

[@cecilly59]

Thank you for this explaining this approach. 2 questions...if you reference notes from different Bibles, do you record the specific Bible the notes correspond to? Also, if your notes on a specific thing takes just say a 1/2 page in your journal, do you go ahead and start a new page for a new entry?

[@mikenewms]

Gretchen, I think as you use this method, you'll begin to see what works/doesn't work for you. First question: i'd recommend choosing one bible as your main study bible that you link to your journaling notes such as "M089" so that you can save your bible from always being filled with notes and notes. 2nd: That's the beauty of the system. If you don't fill a page and then find you have more thoughts/prayers/ideas on the one subject, make a note at the bottom of the page to "go to ____". That way you are not stressing about cramming your thoughts one page:)

[@cindykato4199]

Which journal notebook do u use ?

De muerte, Journaling is veru masculine. I use One day App. =)

[@PastorPeewee20]

I've never been a journalist person but am wanting to start, my handwriting is bad so how do you feel about doing this with electronic journals?

[@mikenewms]

Of course! Go for it brother!

[@samueltremblay275]

It's like the bullet journal method. Not the girly girl version but the original one. The men's one.

[@carolynquinn9255]

What cam do you use? I need one like it. Thanks

[@mikenewms]

Just my iphone:)

[@pohyokelo]

I am female ... And I cannot do the typical female journaling method. 🤣😂🤣😂

[@victorymel8732]

Me too! : )

[@belindamcintosh1671]

Girls journal too.