As a teacher, I often had my students copy notes into their own notebooks. The practice had many benefits other than keeping them busy. While typing can be done faster than writing, it does not have the benefits that handwriting does.
As we get older, the more we can engage our brains, the better off we will be. Handwriting has cognitive benefits. Handwriting actually engages more of your brain than typing. It allows you to have a deeper connection to the material. It forces us to go slower which allows greater time to internalize the information. Without going into too much detail, handwriting uses more neural networks in our brains.
As we copy different portions of the Bible, it allows us to slow down and pay more attention to the different types of Biblical Genres and varying writing styles. It will lead to a deeper level of understanding when reading God’s word.
Using paper and pencil instead of my computer screen, distractions are automatically reduced. It allows you to focus deeper and calm the mind. It gives the brain more time to process what is being written. Our brains form deeper thoughts and connections when we slow down and write by hand. However, if we are writing words while thinking other thoughts, then it does not work. You must be mindful of what you are writing.
How does this benefit and deepen our faith?
All the benefits discussed above apply to ways we can deepen our faith.
- SLOW DOWN–When you write God’s word by hand, you are slowing down and allowing the words to sink in and take root into my heart. When you are writing, you will focus on individual words and phrases. You will be able to meditate on God’s Word more deeply. There are many passages in the Bible that tell us to meditate on God’s word.
- Psalm 1:2: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night”.
- Joshua 1:8: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it”.
- Psalm 119:15: “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways”.
- Psalm 119:97: “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day”.
- Psalm 143:5: “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands”.
- 1 Timothy 4:15: “Meditate on these things; give your entire being to them, that your progress may be evident to all”.
- ENGAGE YOUR BRAIN–Writing Scripture allows us to engage our minds on a deeper level. I have the ability to read and write without thinking about what I am doing. However, when I am writing God’s word, I tend to pay attention to what I am writing. It allows me to go deeper and think and pray about how I might apply the passages.
- IMPROVES MEMORIZATION–writing out verses multiple time a over multiple days, will greatly improve the ability to memorize a passage. The more senses you engage, the more you remember. You might not fully memorize a passage, but you will remember more of it. This will help you to hide God’s word in your heart. Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you”. This is the most direct and commonly cited verse on the topic. Deuteronomy 6:6: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart”.
- REDUCES DISTRACTIONS–Writing helps reduce distractions. Whenever I have a pen or pencil in my hand, I am always more engaged. If I can stay more engaged in what I am doing, I will remember it better.
- FORMS HABITS OF BEING IN GOD’S WORD–As you begin to develop the habit of Scripture writing, you will discover that you have more of a hunger to be in God’s word.
- GUIDES PRAYER–Writing Scripture guides your prayers. When you start with writing out a verse or two, it will guide how you pray. It will deepen your prayer life.
- ACTIVATES CURIOSITY AND TOPICS TO STUDY–When you encounter an unfamiliar passage, it will ignite the curiosity to investigate the context of the passage.
Colossians 3:16: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God”.
Let me know what you think.