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.

How to Read the Bible
Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God
by David Platt
Narrated by David Platt

In How to Read the Bible, David Platt, the acclaimed author of the bestselling book Radical, offers a profound yet simplistic approach to reading, studying, and comprehending the Scriptures in a way that enriches your love for God. His four-step method provides a thoughtful framework for engaging with God's Word.

Narrated by Platt himself, this audiobook conveys his deep passion for the subject matter. The audiobook serves as an excellent introduction for those who are new to the Bible and are seeking guidance as novice readers. Additionally, for those already familiar with Scripture, it offers valuable insights to enhance their understanding and reflection.

Platt not only explores effective strategies for understanding the Bible but also raises awareness of common pitfalls to avoid during your reading. One of his most compelling observations highlighted by the author was the contradiction many face: while the average American claims to be too busy to spend time reading the Bible, research shows that the average individual spends approximately five and a half hours a day on their phones. He encourages listeners to consider redirecting even a fraction of that time toward studying the Bible, suggesting that this could be a transformative way to deepen one's connection with God.

Thanks are extended to W Publishing Audiobooks and NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.

Here's to New Adventures in our Reading & Journaling Journey!
@thewritingwhisperer &
@shh_imreading Continue to Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, & the Power of the Written Word!✒📖

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A helpful book on how to practically dig deeper into scripture and read the Bible. I liked all the questions he offered for us to ask as we read the Bible. It is a pretty short book and easy to get through although the audio was a little cheesy to me. There is something for everyone here including new believers all the way to seasoned Christians looking to dig deeper.

MAPS
M- mediate and memorize
A - apply
P - pray
S - share

- How does this passage change my heart?
- How does this passage change my desires?
- How does this passage change what I do?
- What do I need to do this week as a result of what I just read?
- How does this passage change how I react to others?
- How does this change my life to be more in tune with Gods purpose
- How does this help me make disciples?

How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God

A surprisingly short, but impactful read.

I enjoyed this book a lot!

Platt's writing constantly hits with some really important tips on how to best read the Bible.

I got a lot out of it, and really appreciated his encouragement for readers to jump into scripture.

He gave some great practical tips, such as just getting started, the context you need to know going in, and how to best handle some of the Old Testament - just to name a few!

An excellent book for new to the faith, deep in the faith, or non-Christians alike!
The tone is encouraging and never condescending, making you feel welcomed... whatever step you are on!

I highly recommend it.

4.1/5

David Platt is an excellent example of a follower of Christ. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all of his books. This one is geared towards newer Christians, encouraging them to open their Bibles and explore what God has to say to them. Platt shares his insights and nuances along with easy acronyms to use as you make your way through God's word. This is a very useful tool for Christians.

I spent a long day in the kitchen listening to the soothing voice of Platt in #HowtoReadtheBible. Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC. This audiobook was filled with simple advice that helps anyone, no matter what stage of biblical study you are in. His use of anacroyms to inforce his strategy was helpful. I think Platt is certainly a valuable voice in the Christian space.

In the book How to Read the Bible, author and pastor David Platt, invites the reader to experience God deeper through reading the Bible. Platt uses the MAPS concept – Meditate on and memorize God's Word, Apply the Bible's truths, Pray that God will align your heart with His Word, and Share God's Word with others. This is a simple, straight-forward book and I would recommend this book especially to Christians new to the faith. I love when the author reads their own book. But Platt seemed to read slowly instead of his natural voice. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

David Platt’s How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God is a concise, engaging, and incredibly helpful resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Scripture. As someone who appreciates both theological depth and practical application, I found this book to be the perfect balance of both.

Platt introduces the MAPS method—Meditate, Apply, Pray, and Share—which offers a straightforward framework for engaging with the Bible in a way that’s not just informative but transformational. He also walks readers through how to approach different biblical genres—like poetry, prophecy, and historical narratives—with confidence and clarity.

This book is perfect for new believers, longtime Christians wanting to refresh their study habits, or anyone looking to experience the Bible more deeply and personally. Highly recommend!

I looooove David Platt’s voice. I listen to his sermons regularly, and his reading of Romans 1-8 is my go-to listen. I’m so glad he narrated How to Read the Bible!

This was quick and concise. Platt uses simple, realistic examples to show his point… my favorite was about the love letters he used to write to his wife in high school and how we should read the Word as God’s love letter to us!

The focus of the book is clear and well maintained: it is entirely on how to read the Bible using Platt’s system of Meditate and Memorize, Apply, Pray, and Share. I appreciated this book because I love lists and acronyms. I love a structured plan that I can follow, and Platt delivers that here. For example, I loved his methodical approach to memorizing scripture: write the verse down, then practice for five minutes. Then a half hour later practice again. Then two hours later practice again. Then tomorrow practice it again.

Platt does a great job at reminding the reader that while the methods in the book are systematic and intentional, they are so deep and relational with God. He says that we should memorize Scripture because the Holy Spirit will remind us of those verses when we need them. The Bible says that we should write scripture on our heart, and Platt gives really effective ways to do that.