The Complete Study Guide

Opening the Book: A Guide to Studying Scripture with the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, by Pastors Alton and Tammie Bryant. Read the full teaching online — six chapters, word studies, reflection questions, and prayer.

Open the Study Guide

A Word Before You Begin

Study tools are a blessing, but they are not the foundation. The Thompson-Chain Reference Bible is a valuable asset for following Scripture’s threads from Genesis to Revelation — yet it is not a substitute for the Word itself. Our approach follows the pattern of Isaiah: line upon line, line upon line, precept upon precept.

The Bible Study Posture Checklist

Before every study session — whether alone, in a group, or in one of our courses — walk through this checklist. It keeps our hearts ready and our study honest.

• 1Never begin without prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes and teach you before you open the Book.
• 2Read the entire passage first before analyzing any part of it. Let the whole word speak before you take it apart.
• 3Read the passage aloud at least once. The Word was written to be heard. Reading aloud slows you down and sharpens your attention.
• 4Take note of repeated words and themes. Repetition is the Holy Spirit’s highlighter — what is repeated is emphasized.
• 5Ask questions of the text. Who is speaking? To whom? What is being repeated or omitted? What does this reveal about God’s character?
• 6Allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. Use cross-references to let clearer passages shed light on harder ones.
• 7Read verse by verse. Do not rush past a verse you do not understand in order to reach one you do.
• 8Write out the meaning in your own words. If you cannot say it simply, you do not yet understand it clearly.
• 9Close with prayer — asking God for understanding, a teachable heart, and the courage to obey what He has shown you.