A good basic guide to reading the Bible. The suggestions are simple and straightforward, as well as an quick explanation of the types of literature used.

How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God by David Platt is a short, sweet, and to the point kind of guide. Short, in that the audiobook is less than three hours long. Sweet, as he references his first letter to his wife as a way to look at the biggest love letter of all time. To the point, as he uses simple acronyms to help you remember the tools he points you to using. All in all, so useful and I highly recommend!!!
*I received a copy of this audiobook from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

An excellent, short, easy to read and understand guide to reading the Bible, for believers and unbelievers alike!
I appreciate David's passion for the Word, and his inspiring words to make the Bible the most important book in every Christian's life were a great reminder to me of what a precious gift the Bible is.
Filled with personal examples and practical tips for where to start and how to form habits, I highly recommend this book to anyone!

*I recieved a free audio version of this book in exchange for my honest review

Thank you @NetGalley and @WPublishingAudiobooks and @DavidPlatt for an advanced copy of “How to Read the Bible”.

I've been a Christian for most of my life, but I feel that I've never truly learned how to read the Bible. I often avoided it because it seemed daunting, and whenever I tried to read, I struggled to understand what was happening. As a result, I lost my desire to engage with it. Given that I enjoy reading so much, I found it puzzling that I wouldn't pick up the one book that truly matters and dive in.

Recently, I felt inspired and convicted by David Platt's guide and method for reading the Bible. I wish I had received the accompanying PDF to follow along with! However, I plan to purchase it so I can share it with others.

So Powerful, insightful, and deeply convicting, this audiobook is more than a guide—it’s a spiritual reset. David Platt speaks with clarity and urgency, calling listeners to approach Scripture not just for information, but for transformation. With heartfelt passion and biblical depth, he equips believers to read God’s Word with purpose, reverence, and joy. A must-listen for anyone longing to know God more through His Word.

I've read Platt’s work before. He is knowledgeable, practical, and makes some of the most complex religious topics accessible.

Intimacy with God!

This is what David Platt's new book "How To Read The Bible" wants to drive to us. We can have this deep and personal relationship with God in diving to His Word. In this brief audiobook (60 minutes +), Platt lays down a plan that can help believers get much out of reading Scriptures. He narrowed it down with the acroustic M.A.P.S. which stands for Meditate/Memorize, Apply, Pray and Share. He then explains M.A.P.S. in each chapters that is simple and easy to grasp. But first he provides the listener a chapter on how not to read the Bible. From that it's as if a smooth ride in leaning the M.A.P.S. This short audiobook is commendable in treating the topic with clear and concise explaination. I most enjoyed the last chapter which is the zenith of the book. The appendix too is very helpful although I feels like it will steal the thunder of the last chapter. Nevertheless, a great resource for everyone who wants not just to read but understand the Bible.

This is my first time to listen to an audiobook of David Platt. I'm a bit hesitant because of the deep Southern accent of Platt will mess my listening. I have listen to Platt's sermons online and there are times that I can't stand his accent. It turns me off. Not in this audiobook! He slowly and calmly reads it for us listeners so we can understand this step by step guide in reading the Bible. I think you'll consider buying the physical copy of this book after you finish listening to it.

Short, accessible, highly practical, and doesn’t over complicate. I think this fills a needed gap. I’d definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this arc.

How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Studying Scripture by David Platt is a straightforward and practical guide for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the Bible. Whether you’re new to reading Scripture or just seeking a fresh perspective, Platt offers a clear four-step method: Meditate, Apply, Pray, and Share. This approach helps readers engage with God’s Word in a way that brings real transformation.

Drawing from his experience as a pastor and teacher, Platt explains how to approach the Bible with greater clarity and purpose. He shows how Scripture reveals God’s love and plan for the world. Each chapter includes thoughtful reflection questions and practical tips for reading various parts of the Bible, including the law, poetry, prophecy, and the Gospels. This book is both rich and accessible, making it a great resource for personal or group study.

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I loved this book! It’s written in a very “keep it simple, stupid” style—in the best way possible. David Platt breaks things down in modern, easy-to-understand language that makes Scripture feel more approachable.

I really appreciated how he highlighted the different types of writing found in the Bible, like prophecies, parables, and poetry. He helped me see how to read each one with fresh eyes and deeper intention. He also challenged me to think more critically about what I’m reading and how to reflect on it in a meaningful way.

To be honest, I’ve sometimes found the Bible boring or hard to connect with. But the way he explained things made me genuinely excited to start reading it again. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure how to approach Scripture, this is a great book to guide you back in.

The audiobook was narrated by the author, David Platt, and he did a phenomenal job bringing his words to life. His delivery was clear, passionate, and engaging, it truly captivated me from start to finish. Hearing the author read his own work added a deeper level of authenticity and connection.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!

I was so excited to receive this as an ALC! Loved that this was narrated by the author. Huge fan.

As someone currently doing The Bible Recap read the bible in a year, I knew this book would be perfect for me. Some takeaways: the Bible is a love letter to us. We need to attune our taste buds to enjoy God's words.

This was a very easy and practical application of how to read your Bible for those who are maybe not as confident to what scripture says. If you’re a new Christian or just really overwhelmed this is a great resource. The audio specifically is read by the author and he does a great job staying engaging and being clear about what he is saying.

In this short (audio-)book David Platt takes us along to show us, how important time in the Bible is. Starting by using the analogy of a love letter he has written to his now wife many years ago, he emphasizes how a bit more than just "pick it up and read through it" might be needed. For this the author uses a simple acronym: MAPS
M: Meditate & Memorize
A: Apply
P: Pray
S: Share
He explains each of the four steps in more detail and gives very helpful thoughts on where to start. It isn't a very groundbreaking book, but motivates me once again to really seek to meet with God through His Word. And MAPS gives a very structured and thought through way of doing so.

In the Appendix David Platt adds a short explanation of how important it is to mind the genre of the text you are meditating on. He then discusses each of the 10 genres he sees in the Bible.

I enjoyed this audiobook a lot. It is read by the author himself, David Platt. The book gives you an insight as to the importance of reading your Bible, and not in an expectant way, but rather a relational way. He gives practical applications at the very end which is very helpful. I would re listen to this audiobook and I would consider doing this as a group study!

It’s been said that the Bible is God’s love letter to us. As a pastor’s kid, I’ve never totally liked this analogy, but David Platt may have changed my mind in this book. In How to Read the Bible, Platt uses letters he and his wife exchanged while dating to show the importance of every word and phrase when written to you by someone you love. He uses this example to lead the reader into 4 Bible reading tips to help engage the Word more deeply. I was inspired and convicted while reading this and I look forward to putting a reading plan to action soon.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

I felt the advice was practical, gracefully given and perfect for any level of Bible reader. I really enjoyed this especially the audiobook.

Thanks to Net Galliey and the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook. Concise straightforward guide for reading the Bible, interesting and easy to read. Would recommend for someone new to the Bible and also for someone wanting a refresher. Bonus was that it was read by the author and he was quite interesting..

Read by the author is always my favorite way to listen to an audiobook.

David Platt is one of my favorite Christian leaders. This is a short book but jam packed and so important. This would be an excellent book to gift to a new believer, or a seasoned believer struggling to get into God’s Word. Practical, insightful, encouraging.

The audio narration is great!

This is a short, straightforward guide to how to read the Bible. The length (144 pages) makes it very accessible, but there is SO much wisdom packed into these pages. Bible reading is "not just information, but transformation."

Platt uses personal stories, Bible verses, and acronyms to guide readers into good practice for reading and analyzing the Bible. He explains the history of the Bible and its different genres. He also explains how to actually sit down with any book of the Bible to begin reading and studying. These ideas are completely accessible and understandable for new believers, but there is also a lot of wisdom for more mature believers. It would be great for personal study as well as to apply in a group Bible Study setting.

He breaks Bible reading down into 4 basic steps:
1. Meditate and Memorize
2. Apply
3. Pray
4. Share

Each step is presented with those personal anecdotes, as well as Bible verses explaining why the step is beneficial and where Jesus recommended it in Scripture. Although I had heard of most of this before, I can't say that I'm applying it yet. This book was a great reminder to slow down, go back to basics, and really dive deeper into the study of scripture. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a believer or interested in learning more about Bible analysis.

Thanks to NetGalley for the #gifted copy so I could provide my opinions!

This is a great guide for those that have never attempted to read the Bible, or struggle with how to read the Bible. This book is full of great context and strategies for people that want to not just read the Bible, but get a better understanding of what they are reading. This audiobook edition is great because it is read by the author, David Platt, and his personality shines through. Especially in the context of his own personal story.

This is a great resource for anyone that wants to grow in their faith.

David Platt's How to Read the Bible (audiobook) offers far more than a simple guide; it's an earnest invitation to engage with God's Word in a transformative way. This practical and insightful resource is designed to help both seasoned believers and newcomers to Scripture discover the Bible as a priceless treasure that illuminates God's profound love and His desire for a deeper relationship.

Platt, known for his bestseller Radical, provides a clear, four-step approach for studying and understanding the Bible, encapsulated in the memorable MAPS acrostic:

Meditate on and memorize God's Word, drawing closer to Jesus daily.
Apply the Bible's truths to every aspect of your life, allowing for spiritual transformation and purposeful living.
Pray boldly, confident in God's answers and the alignment of your heart with His Word.
Share God's Word with others, letting its message flow through you to those around the corner and across the globe.
Each chapter features interactive questions perfect for personal reflection or group discussion, and a helpful appendix provides practical tips for navigating different genres of biblical literature, from Law and Poetry to the Gospels and Revelation. By guiding listeners to avoid common interpretive pitfalls, savor Scripture through meditation and prayer, and apply timeless truths, How to Read the Bible truly equips individuals to better understand not only the Word of God, but also the boundless love of God and His overarching plan for the world.