Mapping the Heart of Scripture
A Creative Journey Through Thematic Verse Mapping
It Started With A Need
In my journey of faith, there came a moment when I knew I had to return to the Word of God in a deeper, more intentional way. After decades of walking with the Lord and through some traumatic experiences I had drifted away—spiritually, emotionally—and the ache of that distance became too loud to ignore. I was coming out of a difficult season, carrying grief, loss, and the aftermath of choices I wished I could take back. What I needed wasn’t just more information—I needed restoration.
So I created a podcast. Not because I had everything figured out, but because I was looking for a way to tether myself back to truth. I called it a space “where worship meets the Word,” because music and Scripture had always been how I processed life. My background in storytelling, songwriting, performing, and even filmmaking gave me a lens for seeing the narrative in Scripture—but I still longed to experience it in a way that healed and anchored me.
During that season, I stumbled upon the James Method of verse mapping. It gave me a new framework for exploring the Word. But even then, I sensed there was something missing. So I created the Identity Devotional—not as a product, but as a lifeline. It was just for me at first, a personal project to help rebuild my understanding of who I was in Christ. But it began to resonate with others. And from that place of vulnerability and healing, my own method of thematic verse mapping was born.
This process has been one of continual growth and discovery, not just for me, but for everyone who has joined me along the way. Through it all, I’ve learned that God’s Word truly does what it promises—it restores, redirects, and renews. And it’s been a privilege to share that journey with others who are longing for the same.
Organic Growth
From that initial step of creating the Identity Devotional, my method of thematic verse mapping began to take shape. It wasn’t just about studying the Bible; it was about uncovering the threads that connect our lives to the timeless truths found in Scripture.
With the support of my husband, Charles, who brought his expertise in Bible translations and resources, our small community began to grow. Together, we dove into the Minor Prophets, seeking out the patterns and themes that pointed us back to Christ.
This journey naturally expanded into inductive Bible study, and eventually, we committed to an eight-year chronological study of the entire Bible. Every step has been a learning experience, a chance to grow deeper in faith and share that journey authentically with those around me.
Through Thematic Verse Mapping, I’ve seen lives transformed, including my own. It’s a testament to the power of God’s Word to heal, restore, and bring new life. My hope is that others will find the same richness and depth in Scripture, and that together, we can continue to grow and discover the infinite beauty of God’s Word.
Drawing on my background in storytelling and creativity, I approached thematic verse mapping as more than a study tool. It became a way to uncover the narrative threads woven through Scripture, to see how each story, each theme, connects us back to Christ. This creative lens allowed me to see patterns that I might have missed otherwise and to share those insights with others in a way that resonates deeply.
As we continued to grow and learn, it became clear that this wasn’t just about knowledge—it was about transformation. Each step of the journey, each discovery, has been a testament to how God can use our unique gifts and experiences to draw us closer to Him and to each other.
Layer Upon Layer
This process didn’t start with a program or a plan. It started with a longing—to return to the Word, not just to read it, but to be changed by it. I needed something that could hold my attention, engage both my heart and my mind, and help me sit with Scripture in a way that brought clarity and conviction. What I developed wasn’t from a workbook—it was born out of prayer, wrestling, and creative exploration.
I usually begin by reading the verse in multiple translations—my go-tos are the ESV, Amplified, NLT, and the NET. Each one reveals a different shade of meaning, like turning a gemstone slowly in the light. Some translations are more poetic, others more precise, and together they help me see the verse from more than one angle.
From there, I start looking at the language more closely. I’ll pick out five words that seem to carry weight—those words that stir something or feel like anchors. I study their definitions, dig into the Greek or Hebrew roots, and sometimes just sit with them, letting them unfold in context. This part helps slow my heart down. It reminds me that every word in Scripture is intentional.
As we say in Verse Mapping, Context is Key, so I don’t stop at the verse itself. I want to know who wrote it—what we know about their life, their voice, their place in the story. I ask what was happening around them at the time, what prompted the words to be written, and what message they were trying to convey to their audience. I look at when it was written, because the timing often speaks volumes—whether the people were in exile, under pressure, or on the edge of breakthrough. I dig into where they were—geographically, politically, spiritually—because the setting always shapes the tone. I want to understand why the Spirit inspired these specific words for that moment in history, and how the original audience would have received them. Were they confused? Comforted? Convicted? That background doesn’t just inform the text—it brings it into focus. It lifts it off the page and breathes into it. It becomes a living word, not just ancient ink.
One of the most powerful parts of this method has come from tracing thematic connections. I use the Thompson Chain Reference Bible like a compass. It points me to other places in Scripture where the same thread shows up—whether it’s redemption, water, wilderness, covenant, or promise. That’s when the “aha” moments begin to happen. That’s when I realize the Bible isn’t just a collection of books—it’s a single, sweeping story.
But maybe the most personal part of this process is what I call the “perspective shift.” I ask myself: what is God saying here—about Himself, about us, about truth? Then I look at how the world might interpret or twist that truth. And finally, I pause to reflect on where I am in the tension between the two. Sometimes my own perspective is off. Sometimes I’m too influenced by the world. But the Word gently draws me back, again and again.
That’s where submission happens. Not in some formalized checklist, but in that quiet moment where the Holy Spirit says, “Let go of this,” or, “Step into that.” From there, I write down what obedience might look like in real life—not just what I’ve learned, but what I’ll do because of it.
And then, I end with a prayer. Sometimes it’s a response. Sometimes it’s a confession. Sometimes it’s just a thank you. But it’s always a conversation between my heart and the Lord’s.
This isn’t about crafting a perfect study. It’s about creating space—space to be still, to listen, and to let the Word do what only it can do: transform us from the inside out.
The Ripple Effect
I never set out to create a method that would impact others. Honestly, it began as a lifeline for me—something to steady my feet when everything felt unsteady. But as I began sharing it with others—friends, a few women in our study group, even my husband as a resource partner—it started to take on a life of its own.
What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would resonate. Over and over, I’ve heard people say, “I’ve learned more about Scripture in the last year through this process than I have in decades of church.” It’s not because the method is flashy or clever—it’s because it slows us down. It helps us see. It invites us to ask better questions, to notice patterns, to connect dots we didn’t even realize were there. It shifts the focus from information to transformation.
I’ve watched women who once felt unsure about opening their Bibles now leading conversations, lighting up as they trace a theme across the Old and New Testaments. I’ve seen people break down in tears—not out of guilt or pressure, but because they finally heard God speak something personal and healing through a passage they’d read a hundred times before.
That’s the part I never want to lose: the wonder. The awareness that the Word of God is living and active—not just in theology books or pulpits, but in our everyday moments at the kitchen table, with a pen and a Bible and an open heart.
That’s why I make these resources available freely. Not because they’re polished or perfect, but because they’re personal. And I believe the Word should be accessible to anyone who’s hungry for it—no barriers, no price tag, just an open invitation to come and see.
You’re Invited
If there’s anything I’ve learned through this journey, it’s that God honors the time we spend with Him. He doesn’t require perfection—just presence. Just willingness. Just a heart that says, “Here I am, Lord. Speak.”
When I first began mapping verses at my kitchen table, I didn’t know what it would become. I only knew I needed something deeper. I was in a season of coming back to the Lord—not out of obligation, but out of hunger. I needed the Word to speak to me again, to ground me, to remind me of who He is and who I am in Him.
And slowly, something began to shift. The Word became more than study—it became encounter. It wasn’t just theology; it was intimacy. And I started to notice that same shift in the lives of others around me. Women who once felt unsure about Scripture now found confidence and clarity. People who had known the Bible all their lives began seeing it with new eyes—not because of me, but because God always meets those who come looking for Him.
Thematic verse mapping has become one of the ways I make space for that meeting. It helps me listen. It helps me linger. And it reminds me that time with God is never wasted—it’s where everything changes.
If you feel that same longing to return—to go deeper, to hear Him more clearly—I’d love to invite you to try it for yourself. I’ve created free sample verse maps you can download at [insert your site here], and if you’d like to join others on this journey, we meet live every other Friday to walk through the Word together. There’s no pressure—just a quiet, sacred space to show up and see what God might say.
And yes, it can feel a little overwhelming at first. There’s a lot to take in. But if you take your time, and let the rhythm settle into your heart, you’ll be surprised how it starts to flow. The Word begins to open up. The patterns begin to make sense. And you begin to see how much you’re actually learning—about Scripture, yes, but also about God’s faithfulness, His nearness, and the story He’s writing in you.
You don’t need to have it all together to begin. You just need to be willing.
So take a deep breath, open your Bible, and see what unfolds.
He’ll be there. He always is.
To download your own free Thematic Verse Map and watch a detailed tutorial, visit www.ThematicVerseMapping.com.
Listen to the “The Deep Dive: Exploring Verse Mapping Methods Including Thematic Verse Mapping” podcast below.
