Getting Started with Dr. John Fallahee’s Logos Training
Last month, Dr. John Fallahee shared a concise walkthrough of inductive Bible study tools in Logos. He focused on three core areas—prayer, observation, and word studies—each of which can be applied right away in your digital study routine. Below is a hands‑on guide that highlights the most useful features for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Scripture with technology.
1. Building a Prayer List in Logos
Logos’ Prayer List is a simple way to keep your petitions organized and accessible. Start by navigating to Documents → New → Prayer List. Give it a clear name (e.g., “2026 Ministry Prayers”) and add a topic. Use the Notes field to jot down details—cities, people, or specific concerns—and the Answer Box to record God’s response, which is often more than a yes/no.
Once your list is ready, click Pray for this item and set a reminder interval. You can choose daily, weekly, or monthly, even specifying particular weekdays. The reminder appears in your Dashboard as a card you can move or delete. 
2. Using Visual Filters to Highlight Key Words
Visual Filters let you see specific words or grammatical patterns at a glance. To get started, go to Documents → Visual Filters → Public and add the “learnlogos.com” filters. Open the filter you want, then enable it via Formatting → Show Visual Filter Icon. Pick the filter from the dropdown, and watch the selected words—such as “who,” “what,” or a Greek verb—highlight automatically.
Filters work best on a single book to keep the interface responsive. Try a short passage first, then apply it to a larger text if you’re comfortable. 
3. Adding Parallel Text to Compare Translations
Side‑by‑side comparison is a powerful way to notice differences in wording or emphasis. In the Logos window, choose View → Add Parallel Text and select either vertical or horizontal orientation. You can add multiple parallel books—such as the New International Version next to the Greek New Testament—by clicking the plus icon in the parallel text panel.
Once added, the parallel column will auto‑synch with the main text. If you want to highlight a particular word in both translations, use the highlight tool on the primary text; the parallel view will mirror that highlight. 
4. Organizing Observations with Notebooks
Logos’ Notebook feature keeps all your highlights and notes in one searchable place. Create a new notebook by going to Tools → Notes → Notebook and name it something descriptive like “Observations on Acts.” Then, set this notebook as the active one in the highlight palette. As you highlight passages, the notes pane will automatically pull up the corresponding notebook entry.
Using a single notebook for a study module prevents accidental mixing of notes from different books. The layout can be adjusted to a three‑pane view: highlights on the left, notes in the center, and the Bible on the right. 
5. Tagging and Advanced Search
Tags allow you to label prayers, notes, and highlights with keywords like family or church. When you add a tag, it becomes searchable across all your documents. For example, tagging a prayer list item with “state” lets you pull up all state‑related petitions with a single search query.
Tags are stored in the cloud, so keep any sensitive information anonymous. You can view or edit tags by clicking the three‑dot menu on any item and selecting Tags. 
6. Linking Dictionary Definitions Instead of Copying Text
When you want to reference a word’s definition, click the word, choose Copy Link from the share menu, and paste the link into your note using the chain icon. Hovering over the link provides a quick preview, while clicking it jumps straight to the full dictionary entry. This keeps your notes tidy and preserves the original source context.
Try this with a word like ravaging from Acts 7:27. The link will take you directly to the Greek entry for “prosuke,” allowing you to see usage examples across the New Testament. 
7. Practical Workflow for an Inductive Study Session
- Open your chosen passage and set up parallel text.
- Enable a visual filter to spot key words.
- Highlight portions of interest and add them to your notebook.
- Use the note‑linking method to record word meanings.
- Add any observations or questions to the same notebook.
- Save and close; revisit the notebook later to review.
Following this routine keeps your study organized, reduces the chance of losing context, and allows you to revisit insights quickly. Each step is a small, manageable action that builds toward a clearer understanding of Scripture.
8. Closing with Prayer and Reflection
After a study session, take a moment to pray over what you’ve learned. A simple prayer might thank God for the clarity of his Word, the tools that aid your study, and the opportunity to grow in faith. Ending with prayer reminds us that technology is a means to an end—deepening our relationship with God through his Word.
For more detailed walkthroughs, you can rewatch the recorded webinar on the Logos website. The hands‑on tips above should help you start applying the tools in your own study routine today.
Further Resources
Logos provides an extensive help center and community forums where you can ask questions about specific features. Additionally, the Digital Sword community often shares screen recordings and tips—check out our blog for more practical guides.
