Thompson Chain Reference- KJV




Thompson Chain Reference Bible has long been the Bible for in-depth study. 

According to Wikipedia “ Dr. Frank Charles Thompson, in the early 1900s, but the original work was started in 1890. Thompson was born in 1858, in Elmira, New York, and was ordained in 1879. His wife was Laura Boughton Thompson. He began work on the system because of his dissatisfaction with the reference Bibles that were then available to preachers:

Dr. Thompson believed the Bible should be presented in a simple, but scholarly way. He saw the need for a well-organized reference Bible that would be of practical use to the layman as well as a minister. In 1890, Dr. Thompson began the work he would continue for the rest of his life. He completed the "thought suggestions" opposite the verses throughout the Bible. These are what became the "chain-links" that are the heart of the Thompson system.



Dr. Thompson created these chain link topics (4,000 of them) leadership by from verse to verse, giving a tiny glimpse at what we call “whole counsel of Gd”, what does the whole Bible say on a subject not just one verse but being able to look from Genesis to Revelation. Thompson Chain Reference gives you a starting point for deeper study  

As an example, this is how the chain on assurance is presented:

ASSURANCE 
  Spiritual 
Colossians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 10:22; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:19; 1 John 4:13; 1 John 5:10 
--SEE Knowledge, KNOWLEDGE 
--the Gift of the Holy Spirit, See HOLY SPIRIT 
--of Adoption into God's Family, SEE Adoption (2), CHURCH, THE 
--of Salvation, See SALVATION 




These chains have been revised and expanded in the more than 115yrs of publication, more than doubled to over 8,000 chain topics or biblical rabbit trail’s leading the reader to deeper and further study. These chains show the cohesive structure of Scripture, beyond the scarlet thread (how the presence of Messiah is woven through Genesis to Revelation) and how other topics are presented and expanded on through exploration of scripture reading.

This sounds daunting, but all this information is presented in an easily understandable and usable format that is suitable for those new to in depth Bible Study. 

Why is this important? Why follow these chains rather than just using an app?

One- Reading a physical copy over a digital one helps you focus and retain more.

Secondly- We are observing a trend in our spiritual community and practice that has lead to more questions. “How do I know what the Bible says about ______?” can be overwhelming when staring at your Bible as it sits on the kitchen table, you may not know where to start. You may wonder how it is that older believers have “an answer to give” when you don’t even know if that is something in the Old or New Testament. 

Discipleship and bible study that goes beyond “put this into your own words” or “ how does this make you feel” have been neglected in Christian communities for a few decades. While one thing you can do when you want to study is to find someone to study with, often what you need is to sit down and read it for yourself. What does the Bible say rather than  ‘what does this pastor or author tell me it says’ is a very important place to start. The Thompson Chain Reference Bible (available in 6 modern Bible translations not just KJV) is a very useful resource and good place to start your own reading journey.

If you sit down and are struggling to read or understand, start with prayer asking Gd to help you read His Word and to give you His understanding of the meaning of His Words. Rely on Him. Ask Him to give you focus and clarity. In an age of doom scrolling focused reading is a skill that has been weakened, but like any muscle can be improved with use. 

I hope you will find this to be a useful tool. Let me know how your Bible reading is going. What treasure did you find in using  one of these chains?




Review copy provided as a #BibleGatewayPartner.


From the publisher:

With a patented reference system beloved and acclaimed for more than five generations, the Thompson® Chain-Reference® Bible is unparalleled in its ability to enrich personal devotions, topical study, and sermon preparation. This easy-to-learn, easy-to-use system enables you to see the breadth of Scripture’s teachings on thousands of topics. With over 100,000 references listed in the Bible’s margins, covering over 8,000 topics, the chain-reference system is an ideal tool for comprehensive topical study. You can also expand your Bible study with even more tools, including biographical sketches, an archeological supplement, and outlines of each book of the Bible. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible allows Scripture to interpret itself without commentaries.

Features:

  • Full text of the King James Version (KJV)
  • Easy to understand Chain-Reference System with over 100,000 references in the margins
  • References cover over 8,000 topics, each with its own pilot number for exhaustive topical study
  • Complete alphabetical and numerical indices listing all 8,000 topics with corresponding pilot numbers and Bible references for comprehensive topical study 
  • Bible study aids such as biographical sketches of the most prominent people in the Bible, an archeological supplement, glossary, concordance, Bible harmonies, and outlines of each book of the Bible
  • Key Verses and Key Thoughts provide basic information you can use to develop your own study
  • Verse Analysis shows the topics and themes of every verse and provides easy reference to other verses with the same topics or themes
  • 16-page full-color map section
  • Words of Christ in red
  • Satin ribbon marker
  • Presentation page for gift-giving
  • Gold gilded page edges
  • Leathersoft™ cover lies flat when open
  • 8.3-point type size

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