Among Christians, it’s not uncommon to take notes during sermons to reflect on the teachings of the pastor or priest, to help remember the messages shared during the service, or to pass the time with doodles. Over the years, I’ve accumulated stacks of notebooks filled with notes from different sermons, from different preacher from various Christian traditions. But what to do with all these notes? Are they just to continue taking up space in a notebook, or can there be a new purpose for them?

I say “new purpose” because their original purpose is ostensibly filled. The physical act of writing is generally believed to help commit information to memory through the process of encoding. When we write, we use multiple senses and physical movements, such as hand movements and visual processing, which are believed to strengthen the neural connections in our brain. This makes it easier to retrieve the information later, as the memory is stored in multiple parts of the brain. Additionally, the act of writing requires focus and concentration, which can also aid in the formation of long-term memories. So just having written the sermon notes in the first place perhaps makes a lasting impression. I use this example frequently with my English students, as I promise to give them any pdf or slide deck we’re viewing, but to take notes with their hands. Anyway, back to what to do with those notes!

One option is to use the notes to create a personal devotional guide. By reflecting on the messages shared in the sermons and writing down your thoughts and prayers, you can create a resource to turn to for daily inspiration and guidance. The messages, if Scripturally-based, are likely to be timeless and worthy of revisiting. The challenge of course, is organizing them coherently. But if you’re up for that task, you’d be potentially interested in the next option.

You could, if you’re putting in the work to categorize your collection, use the notes to create a study group. By bringing together a group of people who have taken similar notes (maybe from the same church), you can discuss and reflect on the messages together, and gain a deeper understanding of the teachings. This can also be a great way to form new relationships and to connect with other believers. If you’re from a more liturgical tradition (like Roman Catholic or Anglican), homilies or sermons will generally be from the same Scriptural readings (from the Lectionary) across churches and so you could compare and contrast messages from other parishes and across dioceses—even across the globe!

The notes can also be used to lead or support others in their faith journey. By sharing the messages and insights from the sermons, you can encourage others to deepen their faith and to seek a closer relationship with God. This is the route I’m considering, as I’d like to consider piecing together a writing project that compares to Protestant faith traditions.

Lastly, the notes can be used to track your own spiritual growth. By revisiting the messages and reflections from previous sermons, you can see how your understanding and relationship with God has evolved over time. This can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and a source of encouragement and inspiration. God doesn’t change, but our personal relationship and understanding of Him certainly does. I don’t mean that our views of His defining characteristics will necessarily change, but the depth and intricacies of His person can become more apparent to us.

The notes we take during sermons can serve a variety of purposes, from personal devotional guides to tools for encouraging others in their faith. By taking the time to reflect on the messages and to put them into action, we can deepen our relationship with God and make a positive impact in the lives of those around us. I’d love to hear about some of your experiences with sermons—great, boring, whacky, moving, convicting.