BACK TO THE BIBLE EVANGELISM

The “Safety Chain” Bible Study Method

“How to open your Bible and let God’s word teach His plan of salvation”

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The following material is for instruction in the use of a Bible study method used to fulfill this command. It was developed by the Northwest Church of Christ in Lawton, OK, in 1976 and first used in our campaign work that began the same year. Since 1976 the elders have revised this material, as experience was gained in its use. Since 1976 the Northwest Church of Christ, under the leadership of the elders, has conducted annual, one-week-long campaigns in communities in Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri. From these experiences and from the reports of individuals like you, we know this method works. We hope it will be helpful to you.

POINT OF CONTACT:

If you would like to know more about this Bible study method or would be interested in a free workshop at your congregation, please contact us at:

Northwest Church of Christ

67th & Quanah Parker Trailway

Lawton, OK 73505

(580) 353-4230

or

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SectionTopic Page

I.The Scriptures and Samples of a Marked Bible.2

II.The Chain of Scriptures and Questions to Ask4

III.Asking for Obedience to God’s Word10

IV.Teaching Tips12

V.Restoration Scriptures13

VI.Asking People to Study the Bible13

VII.Action Plan16

COPYRIGHT 1990

ELDERS

NORTHWEST CHURCH OF CHRIST

LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

REVISED 2-11-16

PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO MAKE COPIES

PROVIDED THEY ARE NOT PRODUCED FOR SALE AND PROPER CREDIT IS GIVEN.

1

I. THE SCRIPTURES AND SAMPLES OF A MARKED BIBLE

Page 1 of 16

Page 1 of 16

Cut and glue this chart to the inside front or back cover of your Teacher’s Bible.

TRADITIONBAPTISMPREACHING

Mk 7:7,9,13 pg 71Acts 8:35-39 pg 211Acts 20:7 pg 235

1 Tim 4:1-4 pg 348Mark 16:15-16 pg 92

Acts 2:37-41 pg199GIVING

INSP of SCRIPTRom 6:3-6 pg2601 Cor 16:1-2 pg 296

2 Tim3:16-17 pg 3541 Pet 3:21 pg 385

2 Pet 1:3 pg 387Acts 22:16 pg240PRAYER

1 Thess 5:17 pg 342

OLD & NEW TESTRESULT OF OBED

Col 2:14 pg335Acts 2:47 pg 199SINGING

Gal 3:24-25 pg 316Eph 5:19 pg 325

Heb 8:6-7 pg 366---End First Half---Col 3:16 pg 336

Heb 9:15-17 pg 368

UNITY, 1 CHURCHOBEY ALL COMM

ALL HAVE SINNEDJohn 17:11 pg 186Rev 22:18-19 pg 427

Rom 3:23 pg 2571 Cor 1:10-13 pg 276Gal 1:6-9 pg 312

1 John 3:4 pg 3941 Cor 3:3-6 pg 278

Eph 1:22-23 pg 321GUIDES FOR LIVING

CHRIST RECONCILEEph 4:4-5 pg 323Rom 12:1-2 pg 269

Rom 5:8-10 pg 259Matt 16:16 pg 31Titus 2:11-14 pg 357

John 14:6 pg 181

ORGANIZATIONSTUDY

OBEY GOD’S WILLEph 5:23 pg 3262 Tim 2:15 pg 353

Matt 7:21-23 pg 13Phil 1:1 pg 327

Matt 7:13-14 pg 12REMAIN FAITHFUL

John 14:15 pg 182NAMESRev 2:10 pg 403

Rom 16:16 pg 274James 4:17 pg 180

BELIEVEActs 11:26 pg 218John 14:15 pg 182

John 3:16 pg 156

John 8:24 pg 169ATTENDANCE

Heb 11:6 pg 370Heb 10:25-26 pg 369

REPENTHOW TO WORSHIP

Luke 13:3 pg 126John 4:23-24 pg 158

Acts 17:30 pg 231John 17:17 pg 187

2 Cor 7:10 pg 304

LORD’S SUPPER

CONFESSMatt 26:26-29 pg 51

Matt 10:32-33 pg 191 Cor 11:23-26 pg 289

Rom 10:9-10 pg 266

Acts 8:37 pg 211

Page 71 in Teacher’s Bible: Mark 1st Scripture in Chain. The scriptures and questions are on pages 5-9.

Page 348 in Teacher’s Bible: Mark 2nd Scripture in Chain.

II.THE CHAIN OF SCRIPTURES and QUESTIONS TO ASK

A.It uses fifty-nine passages in a chain reference structure. We use the King James Version because it is accepted by almost everyone. We all use identical Bibles because it allows all of us to work together and use easy-to-find page numbers to lead the student through the study.

B.Usually the entire study takes less than three hours and is normally broken down into two sessions. The first session ends in about 1 ½ hours at passage 31. Whether the student does or does not decide to be obedient, you should set up another time to teach the second half of the study.

C.The teacher’s New Testament should be marked as follows:

1.Underline each of the 59 verses.

2.Write in the margin the questions pertaining to each scripture.

3.Write in the margin the page number and reference of the next scripture.

Examples are on pages 3 and 4 of this packet.

D.In the student’s New Testament underline the verses. Do not write in the questions or page number of the next scripture.

E.How to teach the study Read the scripture, ask the questionsyou have written in your margin, and go to the next scripture reference and page numberyou have written in your margin.

1.The teacher, student, and silent partner may take turns reading the scriptures.

2.After each scripture is read, the teacher asks the questions that he has written in the margins of his teacher Bible.

3.When the student has answered the questions, the teacher simply states the scripture reference and page number of the next scripture he has written in his margin. He does this again and again until the chain is completed.

F.Let the scriptures teach. Ask enough questions to ensure the student understands the main point, but do not try to improve God’s word with a lot of your own words. Let the scriptures teach.

G.Each teacher should mark his own New Testaments. This is an invaluable part of your training because it helps you become thoroughly familiar with what you are presenting. A credit card works well as a straight edge. Use a pencil or a fine ball point pen. Do not use a roller ball pen, felt tip pen, highlighter or anything that will bleed through the thin pages.

Or you can affix the labels.

H.The teacher should glue the half sheet of all the 59 verses located on page 2 of this packet to the inside cover of his Bible for easy reference and for use with Common Concerns.

  1. Here are the scriptures and questions:

SCRIPTURESPg.QUESTIONS

1.Mark 7:7,9,13Pg 71Are the commandments of men equal to the commandments of God? Is tradition equal to the Word of God? What happens when we follow commandments or traditions of men?

2.I Timothy 4:1-4Pg 348What are two examples of traditions of men found in verse three? What happens when people give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils?

Inspiration of Scriptures

3.II Timothy 3:16-17Pg 354What Scriptures are inspired of God? What is the Scripture profitable for?

4.II Peter 1:3Pg 387How much have we been given that pertains to life and godliness? Do we need any more than that which was given in the first century?

Old and New Testament

5.Colossians 2:14Pg 335Since the handwriting of ordinances refers to the Old Testament, when was it taken out of the way?

6.Galatians 3:24-25Pg 316Since we are saved or justified now by faith, are we under the old law?

7.Hebrews 8:6-7Pg 366What is a covenant? Are we today under a better and new covenant with better promises than the old covenant?

8.Hebrews 9:15-17Pg 368When does a will or testament come into force? So we are under what testament today?

All Have Sinned

9.Romans 3:23Pg 257How many of us have sinned?

10.I John 3:4Pg 394What is sin? What does transgress mean? (To transgress means to "move across" or go beyond that which God wants.)

Christ Reconciles

11.Romans 5:8-10Pg 259Because God loved us, what happened for us?

12.John 14:6Pg 181What is the only way we can come to God the Father?

Obey God's Will

13.Matthew 7:21-23Pg 13Who will go to heaven? (vs. 21) Will everyone who professes to be a Christian be saved?

14.Matthew 7:13-14Pg 12What is the way to destruction like? What is the way to eternal life like? Is there safety in numbers?

15.John 14:15Pg 182If we really love the Lord, what will we do?

Before proceeding ask these 4 questions:

1. Have you been saved?

2. Could you tell me how it happened?

3. How long was it after you were saved that you were baptized?

4. If the student was baptized, ask him: Would you tell me why you were baptized?

Believe

16.John 3:16Pg 156What does this verse say we must do to have eternal life?

17.John 8:24Pg 169What will happen if we don't believe in Jesus?

18.Hebrews 11:6Pg 370It is impossible to please God without what?

Repent

19.Luke 13:3Pg 126This verse says we will perish or be lost unless we do what? (Repent means to change the heart or mind which leads to a change of life.)

20.Acts 17:30Pg 231This verse tells us God commands all people everywhere to do what? Is ignorance of God's law an acceptable excuse?

21.II Corinthians 7:10Pg 304What does godly sorrow work in us? (We will never change or repent until we truly feel sorrow for our sins.)

Confess

22.Matthew 10:32-33Pg 19What do these verses say we must do if we want the Lord to acknowledge us before God?

23.Romans 10:9-10Pg 266These verses teach that, in addition to belief, we must do what to be saved? How do we make this confession?

24.Acts 8:37Pg 211What did the Eunuch confess?

Baptism

25.Acts 8:35-39Pg 211When Philip preached Jesus, the Eunuch wanted to do what?

26.Mark 16:15-16Pg 92What two things are we to do before we are saved?

27.Acts 2:37-41Pg 199What were these people told to do to have remission (forgiveness) of sins? What does it mean when they were told to save themselves?

28.Romans 6:3-6Pg 260What is baptism compared to in this passage? How do we bury people?

29.I Peter 3:21Pg 385What does this verse say saves us?

30.Acts 22:16Pg 240When we are baptized what happens to our sins?

Results of Obedience

31.Acts 2:47Pg 199What happens to those who are saved? Do we join the church? Are we voted in? Would you like to do as Paul did and arise and be baptized and wash away your sins and be added to the Lord’s Church?

Offer the invitation to become a Christian.

See notes on “Asking for Obedience to God’s Word.”

(End of the first half of the study)

Unity, One Church

32.John 17:11Pg 186Christ prayed for unity. Does Jesus want us to be one as He and His Father are one?

33.I Corinthians 1:10-13Pg 276Is Christ divided? Is God pleased with religious division?

34.I Corinthians 3:3-6Pg 278What do strife and division show about people? (Carnal means fleshly, worldly, evil.)

35.Ephesians 1:22-23Pg 334Are Christ's body and the church the same in this passage?

36.Ephesians 4:4-5Pg 323How many bodies or churches are there?

37.Matthew 16:16, 18Pg 31How many churches did Jesus build? Upon what did He build His church?

Organization of the Church

38.Ephesians 5:23Pg 326Who is the head of the Church?

39.Philippians 1:1Pg 327What two kinds of offices did churches have in the first century? (Bishop means overseer; deacons were special servants working under the bishops. The Bible teaches that bishop, elder and pastor all refer to the same office. See I Timothy 3:1-10 for qualifications) Who are saints?

Names

40.Romans 16:16Pg 274What does this verse use as a term for groups of God's people? Is a name important?

41.Acts 11:26Pg 218What were disciples called for the first time in Antioch? Should we use only terms found in Scripture to describe God's people?

Attendance

42.Hebrews 10:25-26Pg 369Should we make the assembling or gathering of the church an important part of our life?

How to Worship

43.John 4:23-24Pg 158How must we worship? (In Spirit means with the heart or spirit involved.) But what is truth? (see next verse)

44.John 17:17Pg 187 What is truth?

ACTS OF WORSHIP

Lord's Supper

45.Matthew 26:26-29Pg 51Who instituted the Lord's Supper? What are the two parts of the Lord's Supper? Would it be right to add other things?

46.I Corinthians 11:23-26Pg 289What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper?

Preaching

47.Acts 20:7Pg 235Why did the church assemble on the first day of the week? How often do we partake of the Lord's Supper. What else did Paul do?

Giving

48.I Corinthians 16:1-2Pg 296When should the church members give? Is any specific amount commanded?

Prayer

49.I Thessalonians 5:17Pg 342Should the Christian be consistent in prayer?

Singing

50.Ephesians 5:19Pg 325What kind of music should Christians use in worship to God?

51.Colossians 3:16Pg 336Did you know that vocal music as named here is the only music authorized or approved for Christian worship?

Obey All Commands

52.Revelation 22:18-19Pg 427Should we add to or take away from what the Scriptures say?

53.Galatians 1:6-9Pg 312Can we preach or teach a doctrine not found in the New Testament?

Guides For Living

54.Romans 12:1-2Pg 269What are we asked to present to God? How are we to deal with the world?

55.Titus 2:11-14Pg 357How are we to live as Christians?

Study

56.II Timothy 2:15Pg 353Why are we to study the Bible?

Remain Faithful

57.Revelation 2:10Pg 403How long must we be faithful to receive Salvation?

58.James 4:17Pg 380If we know to do good and don't do it, what is it?

59.John 14:15Pg 182What will we do if we truly love God?

Offer the invitation to become a Christian.

See notes on “Asking for Obedience to God’s Word.”.

J.The teacher works with another person called the "Silent Partner."

1.It is critical that the Silent Partner remain silent unless the teacher calls on him.

The student will not respond well to be being “ganged up on” by two people.

2.The Silent Partner’s primary responsibility is to write down each Bible reference and a simple summary of the main point of each passage. The answer to the questions is good.

3.This written material is left with the student so he can review it later, look it up in his own Bible, and study it himself.

4.Do not make one set of your notes and leave a photocopy with each student. It is much more effective when the student receives notes from his personal study.

5.An example of these handwritten notes:

Tradition

Mark 7:7,9,13We worship in vain if we keep traditions rather than God’s law.

1 Timothy 4:1-4In the later times some will depart from the original teachings of God.

Inspiration of the Scriptures

2 Peter 1:3TheScriptures have given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness.

Difference Between Old and New Testament

Colossians 2:14The law of Moses is no longer binding. It was removed when Christ died on the cross.

Galatians 3:24-25 The old law was our teacher that brought us to Christ.

Hebrews 8:6-7Christ has obtained a better ministry because it is established upon better promises.

Hebrews 9:15-17A testament goes into effect when the testator dies. Therefore, Christ’s will went into effect when he died on the cross.

etc.

III.ASKING FOR OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD

A.The primary purposes of the first half of the study are for the student to:

1.Understand and accept the authority of God’s Word

2.Understand the necessity of Christ’s blood

3.Understand God’s plan of salvation

4.Determine if he has followed God’s plan of salvation

5.And if he has not followed it, to decide if he will follow God’s plan

B.This requires that both the teacher and student fully understand and write down what, if anything, the student has done about his salvation.

1.Therefore, before the study goes into God’s plan of salvation, it is critical that the following questions be asked and the answers written down so that after the student reads and understands God’s will he can compare it to what he has done.

2.This will allow him to make an intelligent decision.

3.If these questions are not asked and written in detail, it is possible that by the end of the study when he understands God’s will, he will have subconsciously rationalized in his mind that that is exactly what he has done when, in fact, he has not.

4.Therefore, after the student correctly answers the question concerning John 14:15 (the 15th scripture in the chain) ask the subsequent questions and carefully write his answers.

15.John 14:15If we really love the Lord, what will we do?

Before proceeding ask these four questions

1.Have you been saved?

2.Could you tell me how it happened?

3.How long was it after you were saved that you were baptized?

4.If the student was baptized, ask him: Would you tell me why you were baptized?

5.Do not show surprise or disagreement with the student’s answers. Do not attempt to address their validity. Just write them down in great and specific detail. Read it all back to the student to be sure it is accurately written. Then put it off to the side and continue to let God’s Word do the teaching. Later, after the student reads and understands God’s will he can compare it to what he has done and make a decision.

C.Asking for obedience after the first half of the Chain- Acts 2:47

  1. If the student has not been baptized or has not been baptized according to the New Testament plan, simply ask, “Would you like to do as Paul did and arise and be baptized and wash away your sins and be added to the Lord’s church?” Then be quiet and let the person think about it and answer for himself. You may need to be quiet for several minutes as the student mentally and emotionally struggles with what he has learned. You may eventually break the silence by asking, “It’s hard to say no to God, isn’t it?”
  1. If the student says, “I have already been saved,” Ask if he sees any differences in what he did and what the Bible says one must do to be saved. If he does not see a difference, review his answers to the questions about his salvation and ask if he sees a difference between what he did and what he just read. If he does not, continue to ask him questions that will help him see the difference. Then ask, “Wouldn't you like to do what the Bible says you should do?”
  1. If the student says, “I have already been baptized,” Review his answers to the questions about his baptism. Ask if he sees a difference between his baptism and the baptism he just read about. Ask if he sees any difference in the purpose or manner he was baptized. Help him see the differences. Then ask, “Wouldn’t you like to be baptized in the same manner and for the same purpose you just read in the Bible?”
  1. If the student says, “I want to wait,” Ask if Paul waited. Review with him the plan of salvation and anything else as a teacher you feel would be relevant.
  1. If the student says, “I have not been saved,” Ask which of the steps of salvation he has done and what else he needs to do.
  1. The inspired question of Acts 22:16 can be asked over and over again in various ways.
  1. Regardless of whether the student obeys, schedule the second half of the study.
  1. After you schedule the second half, give the student the handwritten notes of the scriptures. You keep his answers to the questions about his salvation. You will need them again at the end of the second half of the study.

D.Second half of the study

1.Begin the second half of the study by asking a few questions such as:

a.Have you had chance to reread the scriptures we studied last time?

b.Do you have any questions about anything we studied?

c. Then go through the second half of the study.