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

This simple and practical guide to studying and understanding Scripture will help you see the Bible as a priceless treasure that reveals God's love for you and His relentless pursuit of a deeper relationship.

How to Read the Bible is not just a book; it's an invitation to experience God's Word in a way that transforms your life. Whether you're new to reading the Bible or seeking a fresh approach to study and apply it, this guide provides the tools and insights you need to explore Scripture with greater clarity and purpose.

David Platt, author of the bestseller Radical and host of Secret Church (an annual event streamed to participants around the world), shows you how to read, study, and understand the Bible in such a way that you fall deeper in love with its Author. His four-step guide to studying God's Word rightly is set up with the acrostic MAPS:

• Meditate on and memorize God's Word, storing it in your heart and mind so that you walk closer with Jesus each day.
• Apply the Bible's truths to every layer of your life, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you and revolutionize your ultimate purpose for living.
• Pray boldly, confident that God will answer and align your heart with His Word.
• Share God's Word with others, letting it flow through you to your neighbor as well as to others around the world.

Each chapter includes interactive questions for self-reflection or group discussion, and an appendix that offers practical tips for reading different parts of the Bible (Law, Poetry, Gospels, Revelation, etc.).

As you dive into the richness of the Bible using this proven, step-by-step approach, you will learn to avoid common pitfalls in interpretation, savor scriptures through meditation and prayer, and apply timeless truths to every area of your life. How to Read the Bible equips you to better understand not only the Word of God but also the love of God and His plan for the world.

David Platt serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church. He is also the Founder of Radical, an organization that makes Jesus known among the nations. David lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children.