A simple and effective topical bible marking system.
Introduction to the Class
“Topic Chains” is a bible class series launching in the fall of 2024 at the Rio Vista Church of Christ in Rio Vista, TX. The information listed on this website is meant to be a forerunner for the class, and to provide the content of the chains as we go through them. This will hopefully eliminate a lot of questions and confusion when the class starts. Please spend time here before the series launches to familiarize yourself with the setup and structure of the material. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to get a personal bible just for you, or download the Olive Tree app and learn how it works before this class begins. If you need any help in obtaining a copy of God’s Word, please do not hesitate to ask us.
Introduction to the Teacher
My name is Jeremy Joslin. I enjoy using technology and various organization tools to dive deeper into the scriptures, and then using that information to share with others. “Topic Chains” started as a simple bible marking method, and it worked well for me until my family and I were unable to use physical books due to my family’s health. We are unable to own physical paper books. I won’t go into all of the details of that here, but suffice it to say, we were forced to convert our lives to digital form in everything. Homeschooling curriculums, casual books, bibles, everything.
I found a way to take the methods of physically marking in my personal bible to a digital platform. It took testing many bible apps and trying many different methods, but I believe the method that is laid out on this site is the best way to duplicate the system I was using with a physical paper Bible.
When the preacher of the Rio Vista church of Christ, David Hamrick asked me to teach a bible class series, I thought it would be a lot of fun to cover the basics of what the Bible teaches, and at the same time share this bible marking system.
What is it?
“Topic Chains” is a bible marking system that has served me well for several years. It is simple, easy to learn, logical, and effective. It continues to be my preferred method of mapping out topics throughout the Bible, and I have created several chains of my own throughout the past several years.
I have a lot of passion for this marking system, and I am excited to share and teach it. However, this bible class series is not about the marking system in and of itself. It is about the basic fundamental principles found in scripture. The goal is to equip the saints for personal Bible knowledge on several topics, and to build up evangelical confidence to reach out to friends, family, coworkers, etc; to bring lost souls into the Kingdom.
Disclaimer
This work is not entirely my creation, rather it is built upon the foundations of the “Mark your Bibles” pdf from Padfield.com, and the chain reference system found in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible. This marking system has been modified and edited to apply the principles found in those resources, to create chains in the Olive Tree Bible app using a phone or tablet, or in a physical Bible. Some bible references have been added, edited, or removed based on the needs I had at the time in reaching out to lost souls, and it has resulted in some being added to the Lord’s church. To God be the glory.
This is not to say that there was any fault found in the pdf or in the Thompson Chain Reference Bible, my topical chains simply worked better for me in some instances. For the most part, the system has been largely unaltered, but you may refer to the original if you would like to compare my notes to it. I have added several chains beyond what is found in this pdf.
The Tools – Digital or Physical
Digital – Download the Olive Tree Bible App
Olive Tree is the only bible app I use and recommend. I recommend using Olive Tree as it syncs across all devices and you will have your Topic Chains and notes anywhere you go. I am not affiliated nor sponsored by Olive Tree, it is simply the best app I have found for this purpose. Other bible apps have their pros and cons when compared to Olive Tree. However, those apps are either too simple and do not carry the options needed to effectively apply this marking system to it, or the app is so complicated that it seems to require a PhD to learn how to use it. There is a slight learning curve to Olive Tree. Please start navigating your way around it and getting used to the features.
Olive Tree Information and Setup
Physical – Get a Personal Bible, Bible Tabs, & Pens
While I recommend creating the topic chains within the Olive Tree app for convenience, the same principles can be applied using a physical Bible. Get a bible you feel comfortable marking in. This is not the time to pull out the large family heirloom bible that has been handed down through generations. Mistakes can, and probably will happen. This is not a complicated marking system, and I have personally transferred it from one bible into another bible many times. Choose a comfortable word-for-word translation for ease of readability, but not a paraphrase style translation. Recommended translations include the KJV, NKJV, and ESV. Now is the time to get a bible you like. Make it yours. Install bible tabs in it. Mark in it. Highlight in it. Break it in. Wear it out. Buy another one. Transfer your chains into the new one. Repeat.
Physical Bible Recommendations
The Steps
Here are the step by step instructions to help you get started. Once you learn the basic concepts through the first couple of chains, you will be able to follow the same steps for all the chains listed below, and you should be able to create your own moving forward.
RIO VISTA CHURCH OF CHRIST 