How Can You Build a Scripture Cross-Reference List for The Pursuit of God?

Short answer: Build a Scripture cross-reference list for The Pursuit of God by indexing biblical passages under Tozer’s major themes, recording where each passage appears or applies, and adding a short note explaining the connection. The goal is not merely to collect references. A useful cross-reference list helps you test Tozer’s claims, study themes in biblical context, and quickly return from the devotional book to Scripture.

Decide what your index should answer

A raw list of 100 Bible references can become difficult to use. Build the list around questions:

Which passages support this chapter’s main theme?
Which passages does Tozer quote directly?
Which passages help qualify or balance his language?
Which passages would I use to teach the idea biblically?

That makes the index functional.

Start with the ten chapter themes

Create ten headings corresponding to the chapters.

For example:

Chapter 1 — Spiritual hunger and seeking God

Chapter 2 — Surrender and possessiveness

Chapter 3 — Self-life and the cross

Chapter 4 — Faith and spiritual reality

Chapter 5 — God’s presence

Chapter 6 — Revelation and the Word of God

Chapter 7 — Faith’s gaze on Christ

Chapter 8 — Creator and creature

Chapter 9 — Meekness and rest

Chapter 10 — Worship in ordinary life

Then add references beneath each heading.

Record the type of connection

Use simple labels:

Q — Quoted by Tozer

S — Supports the theme

B — Provides biblical balance or qualification

A — Useful for application

A passage may receive more than one label.

This makes the list more informative than a string of references.

Always read references in context

A cross-reference system can encourage proof-texting if the reader collects verses without reading surrounding paragraphs.

For every major passage, record one contextual note.

Example:

1 Corinthians 10:31 — Chapter 10 — Q/S — Paul applies God’s glory to ordinary choices within a discussion of idolatry, conscience, and seeking the good of others.

That note protects the verse from becoming a slogan detached from its argument.

Add passages Tozer does not cite

A strong index should not be limited to Tozer’s own references.

For Chapter 4, Hebrews 5:14 can help discuss trained discernment. For Chapter 8, Romans 11:36 and Colossians 1:16–18 strengthen the God-centered framework. For Chapter 9, Philippians 2 can deepen the discussion of humility.

These additions help readers study the theme through the wider testimony of Scripture.

Include balancing passages

Sometimes Tozer’s devotional language is intentionally forceful. A balancing passage can prevent misunderstanding.

If a reader interprets surrender as earning acceptance, add passages on grace and justification. If “spiritual faculties” sounds like private revelation, add passages emphasizing Scripture and discernment. If ordinary work as worship is misunderstood as making every act morally neutral, add passages distinguishing obedience from sin.

The cross-reference list becomes a theological safety tool.

Choose a format you can search

A notebook works well for personal use. A spreadsheet is better if you expect the list to grow.

Useful columns include:

Chapter
Theme
Scripture reference
Type: Q/S/B/A
Context note
Tozer page or section
Personal application

If page numbers differ between editions, use chapter and distinctive section rather than relying only on page number.

Build a reverse index too

Once your list grows, create a second view organized by Scripture rather than chapter.

For example:

Psalm 139 — Chapter 5 — God’s presence

John 3:14–17 — Chapter 7 — faith and the lifted Christ

Matthew 11:28–30 — Chapter 9 — meekness and rest

1 Corinthians 10:31 — Chapter 10 — ordinary life to God’s glory

This helps when you are teaching a Bible passage and want to know where Tozer connects to it.

Use the list in a group

Assign each participant one chapter and ask them to bring:

one passage Tozer uses;
one supporting passage;
one balancing passage;
one application passage.

Combine the results into a shared index. This increases participation and teaches people to return to Scripture rather than relying only on the study leader.

Put It Into Practice

Start with one chapter. Create a table with five rows and these headings: Reference, Connection Type, Context, Tozer Section, Application. Fill it using the chapter’s strongest biblical passages. Do not move to the next chapter until you have read each reference in context.

Conclusion: A Scripture cross-reference list becomes valuable when it explains relationships, not merely locations. Organize by theme, label the type of connection, include context and balancing passages, and use the index to keep Scripture—not the devotional author—as the governing authority.