Opening the Book

Breaking Bread Global Ministries · A Guide to Studying Scripture with the Thompson Chain Reference Bible

All Levels · 6 Chapters

A guide by
Pastors Alton & Tammie Bryant

About Course

Overcoming Fear, Rekindling Intimacy, and Learning to Study God’s Word with Confidence

A teaching for the newborn believer afraid to open the Book, and the seasoned believer who has drifted from its pages. Six chapters, word studies, reflection questions, and prayers — each section opens on its own page, so you can read straight through or jump to the part you need.

Course Content

The Opening the Book Curriculum

Foreword Introduction: Why We Wrote This God’s Prescribed Method: Line Upon Line, Precept Upon Precept Chapter 1 — Why We Hesitate: Naming the Fear of Opening the Book Chapter 2 — Meeting the Word Again: For the Believer Who Has Drifted Chapter 3 — Getting to Know Your Bible: The Thompson Chain Reference System Chapter 4 — Following the Chain: How to Study a Topic Scripture by Scripture Chapter 5 — Building a Rhythm: Daily Bible Study Habits That Last Chapter 6 — From Information to Intimacy: Studying the Word to Know the One Who Wrote It Conclusion: An Open Book, An Open Life Appendix A — Key Word Studies Reference Chart Appendix B — Thompson Chain Reference Trails Appendix C — Small Group and Ministry Discussion Guide Appendix D — About the Authors Appendix E — Additional Recommended Resources

About This Teaching ▸

BREAKING BREAD GLOBAL MINISTRIES

OPENING THE BOOK

A Guide to Studying Scripture with the Thompson Chain Reference Bible

Overcoming Fear, Rekindling Intimacy, and Learning to Study God’s Word with Confidence

Pastors Alton and Tammie Bryant

Co-Founders, Breaking Bread Global Ministries

A teaching for the newborn believer afraid to open the Book,

and the seasoned believer who has drifted from its pages.

Dedication

This teaching is lovingly dedicated to Bishop Jerome Jones, whose teaching and discipleship on the study of God’s Word have been a continual source of inspiration for this work. His example of opening Scripture with reverence, patience, and depth has shaped how we ourselves approach the Book, and it is our prayer that some measure of what he has poured into us finds its way, through these pages, into you.

— Pastors Alton and Tammie Bryant

Opening the Book:

A Guide to Studying Scripture with the Thompson Chain Reference Bible

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Scripture Attribution

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible (AMP), Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved. Used by permission. www.lockman.org

Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version, which is in the public domain.

Hebrew and Greek word definitions are drawn from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (public domain) and Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words by W.E. Vine (public domain edition). Thematic cross-references and the chain-reference study method are drawn from and modeled after the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, a study system developed by Dr. Frank Charles Thompson. This teaching is offered as independent instruction on how to use that system and is not published by or affiliated with Kirkbride Bible Company, the publisher of the Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

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Disclaimer

This teaching is intended for educational, devotional, and general ministry purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional counseling, licensed therapy, or medical care. The real-life illustrations presented within this material are composite or representative examples drawn from common human experiences for the purpose of teaching and illustration. They are not intended to represent any specific individual, living or deceased.

The content herein reflects the authors’ study of Scripture, personal convictions, and ministry experience. It is offered in good faith and with sincere pastoral intent. Readers are encouraged to prayerfully weigh all content against Scripture and, where appropriate, seek the counsel of a qualified minister, licensed counselor, or mental health professional.

Topics addressed in this study — including fear, spiritual insecurity, and seasons of distance from God — can surface deep emotions. The authors and publisher are not liable for any outcomes, emotional responses, or decisions made as a result of engaging with this material. Please engage with wisdom, in community, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

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A Note on Theology

This study presents one scripturally grounded approach to personal Bible study, using the Thompson Chain Reference system as a recommended tool for following Scripture’s own cross-references on a given theme. It does not claim that any single study method is required for spiritual growth, nor does it dismiss the value of other translations, study Bibles, or study traditions a reader may already trust. It does, however, place primary emphasis on the biblical principle that knowing God — not merely knowing about Him — is the goal of opening His Word (John 17:3).

Readers who use a different Bible, a different study system, or no formal system at all are welcomed with grace. The goal of this teaching is not to promote one publisher’s product but to remove the fear and intimidation that keep believers, new and seasoned alike, from opening the Book at all — and to point them toward the intimacy with God that studying His Word was always meant to produce.

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Breaking Bread Ministries · Printed in the United States of America