Getting Started with Logos: A Practical Guide to Discipleship and Spiritual Growth

In a recent training webinar, Dr. John Fallahee walked through the basics of Logos Bible Software, focusing on how its layout, collection, guide, and note‑taking features can support a deeper, more intentional study of Scripture. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your workflow, the session offers hands‑on ideas that keep the goal clear: to know God better through His Word.

1. New LearnLogos.com – A One‑Stop Hub for Study Resources

At the start of the webinar, Dr. Fallahee highlighted the revamped LearnLogos.com site. It now hosts live training calendars, searchable content, and an integrated support ticket system. The site’s search engine has been tuned to surface the most relevant resources, and a VIP program offers exclusive content for those who want a deeper dive.

2. Quick‑Start and Custom Layouts

Logos ships with several pre‑built layouts that can be launched with a single click. These include a Bible reading view, a word‑study view, and a journal view. Dr. Fallahee demonstrated how to save a custom layout—such as a “Bible‑Journaling” workspace—by choosing Layouts → Save As… and then dragging the icon to the toolbar for instant access.

3. Linking Resources: Home Button & Parallel Text

One of the most useful tools for a disciple is the ability to see Scripture in context. By clicking the Home button, you can toggle linking between resources. For example, selecting a verse in the Bible automatically highlights that same verse in a parallel Greek New Testament (GNT) and a Hebrew Old Testament (BHS) side‑by‑side.

Dr. Fallahee showed how to set the series names (e.g., Greek New Testament 1 and BHS 1) so that the linking applies across the entire collection.

4. Greek Word Study Layout – A Hands‑On Example

The Greek word study layout is a powerful way to explore each word in the original language. It arranges the Bible word study on the left, a fact book in the middle, the Greek text on the right, and the lexicon just below. Clicking a Greek word pulls up its definition and the corresponding verse in the Greek New Testament.

For discipleship, this layout lets you see how God’s language carries meaning that can deepen your understanding of His character.

5. Collections – Building a Targeted Study Library

Collections let you group related resources—commentaries, dictionaries, or study guides—into a single folder. Dr. Fallahee walked through creating a “Prophecy Webinar Collection” that automatically filters books by title, subject, and type. The process uses rules such as Prophecy* for titles and "Bible–Prophecies" for subjects, then excludes non‑Bible items with –type: "ancient manuscript".

Once established, the collection updates automatically as you add new books, keeping your study area focused and uncluttered.

6. Notes, Highlights, and Labels – Your Personal Index

Dr. Fallahee emphasized that notes, highlights, and labels are the three pillars of personal annotation. Notes are text comments you attach to any passage; highlights mark key words or verses; labels are custom tags you create and assign to any of those items.

For example, you could create a label “Attributes of God” and attach it to notes that discuss God’s love, mercy, or justice. Later, a simple search for that label pulls up every instance across your entire library.

7. Practical Tips for Daily Discipleship

• Start each study session with a prayer that asks for insight into God’s Word.
• Use the Bible‑Journaling layout to record observations and questions.
• Set up a collection for the book or theme you’re studying; this keeps all related resources in one place.
• When you come across a theological theme, create a label and attach it to every note and highlight related to that theme.
• Make a habit of reviewing your labels weekly to see patterns in God’s teaching.

8. Next Steps and Continuing Learning

Dr. Fallahee concluded the webinar by inviting participants to the next session, which will focus on inductive Bible study techniques. The registration link is embedded in the training page, so you can sign up without leaving the interface.

By following the practical workflow shown in the webinar—custom layouts, linked resources, collections, and the note‑highlight‑label trio—you’ll build a study routine that strengthens your relationship with Scripture and deepens your understanding of who God is.