Color Codes and Preaching : PP110

How do you organize both your message prep AND manuscript/outline for delivery?

I swear by color codes. In this episode I break down the ones I use for both parts of preaching.

Why use a color code?

I’ve said it before. Productivity is about engineers and artists. I fall in the artist category. For me, taking notes is part of the process and making those notes work for you is a skill to be learned. Developing a color code was a big part of the process.

Using a Color Code in Preparation

My color code helps keep my preparation focused. I am always outlining, multiple times throughout the process.

Here is my color code.
• yellow - my thoughts. Regardless of reading/word study/ anything else. This are my original thoughts based on what I am learning.
• green - other scripture references. I tend to follow a more narrative theology/biblical theology approach. Building layers upon layers of ideas all across scripture. This helps me mark when those stacks might need to be built.
• orange - outline. I also make a few quick notes in the box of where it might fit in the outline.
• blue - questions I am asking.
• red - research this further
• pink - include

Using a Color Code during Preaching

I preach from a manuscript, but I run through it multiple times. It is a habit developed after 10+ years of preaching using a bunch of visuals. I mark up my manuscript for my benefit, and the benefit of the slide operator.
• green - scripture
• yellow - emphasis. Make sure this stands out.
• blue - new slide (for when I was preaching with a lot of images. This got printed out and given to the slide operator).
• purple - new heading

Mentioned Episodes and Video
Don’t Waste Your Reading | Episode 94
My Bible Markup System | Video
My New Sermon Notebook | Video

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