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A “New to Me” Bible Study Method

July 9, 2021 by Lauren 18 Comments

Summer 2021 marks my 35th year as a follower of Christ.  I wish I could tell you that I’ve been a serious student of God’s Word for all of that time.  That would be a lie, and I DO know the Bible tells us not to lie.  But the older I get, the more dear I hold this book.  And the more I want to know it.

 

As a member of the Gateway Bible Blogger’s Grid, I am fortunate to be offered free Bibles to review from time to time.  I don’t always accept, but when they presented me an opportunity to try a Thompson Chain Reference Bible, I wanted to check it out.

I have heard of Thompson Chain Reference for years, but I’m a little embarrassed to say, have never actually looked at one.

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This Bible (in English Standard Version), is an all-around great study Bible.  In addition to the alphabetical and numerical index of topics, it contains Outline Studies of the Bible, Biblical Character Studies, Bible Harmonies and Illustrated Studies, an Archaeological Supplement, a Hebrew Calendar, an ESV Concordance, an Index to the Scripture Atlas and Colored Bible Maps.  So much.  But what I really wanted to know – how does the Chain Reference Bible study method work?

 

Dr. Frank Charles Thompson began the original research for this in 1890 to enable Bible students to follow a single Biblical topic from Genesis to Revelation.  This version lists over 7.000 topics supported by more than 100,000 marginal references.  And a how-to section at the beginning of this book.  Whew!

 

Equipped with this knowledge, and unsure of a particular topic to study, I turned to the beginning of God’s Word.  In Genesis chapter 1, I settled on Omnipotence (referenced in verse 3).  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  My first thought?  This verse makes no mention of God’s power!  But I came to understand that the verse is ABOUT how powerful God is.  He spoke all of light into being!

 

The word “omnipotence” in the margin gave me a number to trace in the Numerical Index of Chain Topics.  There I found 12 Chain verses listed in bold type along with 27 others.  Dr. Thompson distinguished the bolded chain verses because he considered them the primary texts on the topic.  So depending on how much time you have or how in depth you want to go, you can choose to look up or follow all the passages, or just the key condensed offerings.  Either way, I was able to trace the idea of God’s omnipotence from Genesis to Revelation!

 

I took issue only with the size of the this Bible’s print.  I found myself getting the references and then looking them up on my phone for ease of reading.  But if I could put all the study helps I wanted in a bible with large print, I would have to put wheels on it.  So if you have younger eyes or a better correction than me, add this great study tool to your collection.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up.

 

Elisabith from instaencouragements.com knocked me on my can in the best possible way with 3 Ways We Can Steward Our Bodies Well.  I know that physical fitness and all it’s spiritual implications is an issue for many of you.  You have been generous with your stories in this area.  So when I tell you that you should read this, I mean that I took 1/2 a page of notes.  From a blog post!  And then emailed it to two friends.  It’s that good.  Thank you, Elisabith.

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1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

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We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

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Artisan Collection Bible Review… and Grace and Truth Link Up

April 10, 2020 by Lauren 25 Comments

During this time of Lent/ coronavirus isolation, I have been spending extra time in God’s Word.  I honestly can’t tell you if it’s the extra time at home or Easter preparation behind it, but I am thankful none the less.  As a Bible Gateway partner I received the opportunity to review a new Artisan Collection Bible and knew this was the perfect time.  I chose the NRSV version because I don’t currently own a copy and waited with bated breath for it to arrive in the mail.  (What else do I have to do?  Actually that is a joke.  I have been filling my socially distant time with all the things I haven’t had time to do while working – to the point of exhaustion and stress.  Pray for me.  My inability to relax is definitely a condition.)

 

I am so delighted with this beautiful version of God’s Word.  The stunning cover art work and golden gilt edged pages feel luxurious.  As does the patented Zondervan NRSV Comfort Print typeface for these aging eyes.  The lightly ruled, wide margins are perfect for journaling, reflecting, taking notes and creating unique, inspired art.  I, personally, have trouble making stick figures look good.  But maybe you are more creatively blessed.

 

You should Easter treat yo’ self to this gorgeous Bible or another in the series.  Easter is not canceled just because we can’t meet in a building.  And maybe you have no excuse for a pretty new dress this year, but this stylish Bible could fill the void.  Or gift one and start a new Easter tradition.  I would be so excited to add this to my collection of Bible study materials – if my teenage daughter hadn’t claimed it the minute it left the box.  I will enjoy watching her study and fill it’s margins.  And since I’m starting to feel a little envy about that, I may just have to order one for myself.  We can find it here.

 

I am so appreciative to the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid for gifting me this Artisan Collection Bible for my review.  And my prayer is that you use this Bible or another of your choosing to spend time with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this Easter season.  May you celebrate His return from the grave and look forward to His return to claim His throne forever!

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it;

for the time is near.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Revelation 1:3
Announcement:  Congrats to Kim Hill for winning a copy of Melanie Shankle’s On the Bright Side!  I will be in contact to get your info and get that book in your hands.  And thank you and welcome to all of our new subscribers!  You have no idea how much I appreciate you being a bloggy friend.
And now for this week’s featured post!
I am pleased to point you to When the Answer to Prayer is Bad News by Barbara Lee Harper of Stray Thoughts.  I love how she drew lessons so appropriate for the trial we are all experiencing in COVID-19 from the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk.  And she even linked to our own Grace and Truth Link Up host Lisa Burgess!  God’s Word is indeed alive and active and speaks to us today.  Hop over to soak up this wisdom.
Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.
Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Join us each Friday for the Grace and Truth Link-Up!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

Heather Hart & Valerie Riese

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Maree Dee

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Lauren Sparks

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Lisa Burgess

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1.)  Following your hosts via their blog and social media channels is not mandatory, but appreciated!

To receive a weekly reminder of when the link-up goes live subscribe to laurensparks.net in the right hand column of this page.

2.) Leave 1-2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.

3.) Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community among us, so please don’t link and run!

4.) We sort all links randomly – feel free to link as early or as late as you’d like. The playing field is even!

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Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

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About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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