{"id":6251,"date":"2025-05-05T06:46:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-05T10:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/learn\/?p=6251"},"modified":"2025-07-30T11:33:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T15:33:50","slug":"transform-bible-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/learn\/voices\/transform-bible-reading\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Simple Steps to Transform How You Read the Bible [FREE 5-Day Devotional]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Our goal in reading any passage in the Bible is to understand the meaning that&nbsp;God&nbsp;intended. Toward that end, I want to give you a dependable approach for reading the Bible that uses a four-step guide. I\u2019ve put this guide into in an acrostic called&nbsp;<strong>MAPS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>Meditate and Memorize<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pray<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine a treasure map that leads you to the reward of intimacy with God in his Word. The psalmist says it this way: \u201cI rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+119%3A162&amp;version=ESV&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Psalm 119:162<\/a>, ESV). My hope is that following these four steps will help you find great spoil in God\u2019s Word on a daily basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Meditate on and memorize God&#8217;s Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8230; storing it in your heart and mind so that you walk closer with Jesus each day.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Reading<\/em> the Bible can involve merely seeing or saying the words without pausing to ponder what they mean. But meditation is different. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/learn\/bible-101\/about-the-bible\/holy-spirit-scripture-engagement\/\">Meditation on God\u2019s Word<\/a> begins with listening thoughtfully and thoroughly to God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Meditating <\/em>on the Bible involves thinking deeply about what we\u2019re reading and reflecting prayerfully on what it means. God calls us not to just <em>read <\/em>his Word but to \u201c<em>meditate <\/em>on it day and night\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+1%3A1-2&amp;version=ESV&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Psalm 1:1\u20132<\/a>, italics mine).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/landing\/how-to-read-the-bible-a-5-day-devotional\/?utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"86\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111448\/HTRTB-728x90-1.png?resize=696%2C86&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Banner advertising a free 5-day devotional based on David Platt's book, &quot;How to Read the Bible&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-6253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111448\/HTRTB-728x90-1.png 728w, https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111448\/HTRTB-728x90-1.png 300w, https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111448\/HTRTB-728x90-1.png 150w, https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111448\/HTRTB-728x90-1.png 696w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 696px) 100vw, 696px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Similarly, <em>memorization<\/em> is one of the most significant ways you can meditate on God\u2019s Word and experience God\u2019s love. It involves repeating the Word over and over again in our minds, and sometimes with our mouths, until it becomes second nature. The psalmist wrote, \u201cI have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+119%3A11&amp;version=ESV&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Psalm 119:11<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Memorization<\/em> is the process of \u201cstoring up\u201d God\u2019s Word in a way that helps us walk with God in our lives. Regardless of how often you memorize, think of it as if you are setting aside time for a show or a movie, except you\u2019re setting aside this time for something that will benefit you far more (and forever).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Apply the Bible&#8217;s truths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8230; to every layer of your life, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform you and revolutionize your ultimate purpose for living.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s possible to meditate on and memorize God\u2019s Word yet miss the point. The devil would delight for us to meditate on and memorize God\u2019s Word, so long as we do nothing about it in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God warns, \u201cBut be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=James+1%3A22&amp;version=ESV&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James 1:22<\/a>). As that passage continues,God emphasizes listening and looking into his Word. But if we stop there, we\u2019ll deceive ourselves and miss the point altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, no one obeys God\u2019s Word flawlessly, so we shouldn\u2019t expect perfection. But for those who have God\u2019s Spirit living in them, there should be evidence that the Word is gradually transforming their lives. Studying the Bible is not merely about gaining more information in our heads, it is about experiencing supernatural transformation in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Pray boldly<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8230; confident that God will answer and align your heart with His Word.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This third step in studying God\u2019s Word \u2014 pray \u2014 is vital for experiencing intimacy with God. Neither prayer nor Bible study is a one-way street. Through studying the Bible, we hear from God as we spend time with him, and this naturally (or better put, <em>super<\/em>naturally) leads to expressing our hearts to him as <em>he <\/em>hears from <em>us<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And don\u2019t forget who we\u2019re talking about here: the God who spoke all creation into being; the God who causes the sun to rise and calls the stars by name; the God before whom mountains quake and seas roar; the God who rules and reigns over all things everywhere. <em>This God<\/em> wants to speak to you <em>and<\/em> hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even more than that, he guarantees to give you what you ask when you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/learn\/voices\/pray-like-jesus\/\">ask according to his Word<\/a>. Listen to Jesus\u2019 promise to his followers in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John+15%3A7&amp;version=ESV&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John 15:7<\/a>: \u201cIf you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Share God&#8217;s Word with others<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&#8230; letting it flow through you to your neighbor as well as to others around the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, in Jesus\u2019 parting command after his resurrection, we find him instructing his followers to go and make disciples, baptizing and teaching them in his name (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Matthew%2028%3A19-20&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matthew 28:19\u201320<\/a>).This command from Jesus \u2014 and purpose for our lives \u2014 means that what we see in God\u2019s Word is not intended to stop with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jesus is telling each of us as we make him known to constantly pass God\u2019s Word on to others in a way that helps them know and obey it. Be sensitive to any opportunities God provides throughout your day to share with others out of the overflow of what he has spoken to you in his Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: An Invitation From God<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/landing\/how-to-read-the-bible-a-5-day-devotional\/?utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"199\" height=\"264\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01153954\/BG-Free-Bible-Study-HTRTB-1.png?fit=199%2C264&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Banner advertising a free 5-day devotional based on David Platt's book, &quot;How to Read the Bible&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-6295\" style=\"width:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01153954\/BG-Free-Bible-Study-HTRTB-1.png 199w, https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/01153954\/BG-Free-Bible-Study-HTRTB-1.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re not on this journey of studying God\u2019s Word alone. The same Holy Spirit who inspired God\u2019s Word over the course of centuries is with you when you open God\u2019s Word today. You have the Author of the Book with you, and he promises to help you understand it as you humbly look to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bible reading is truly a supernatural activity in which God himself speaks directly to you through his Holy Spirit. This activity is more important than anything else we could do in our day, so let\u2019s learn to do it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of Jesus\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/learn\/voices\/it-is-finished\/\">death on the cross<\/a> and resurrection from the grave, you and I have an open invitation from God, whenever we want, to experience intimacy with him through his Word. Let\u2019s shout, \u201cYes!\u201d to that invitation every morning and evening, meditating on and memorizing God\u2019s Word, applying it to our lives, praying according to it, and sharing it with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/faithgateway.com\/products\/how-to-read-the-bible-a-simple-guide-to-deeper-intimacy-with-god?variant=43304660238472&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"196\" height=\"280\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111827\/9781400352531.cover_.01.jpg?fit=196%2C280&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Cover of &quot;How to Read the Bible&quot; by David Platt\" class=\"wp-image-6254\" style=\"width:180px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111827\/9781400352531.cover_.01.jpg 196w, https:\/\/staticblog.bgcdn.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/28111827\/9781400352531.cover_.01.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 196px) 100vw, 196px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>This article has been adapted from David Platt\u2019s latest book, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/faithgateway.com\/products\/how-to-read-the-bible-a-simple-guide-to-deeper-intimacy-with-god?variant=43304660238472&amp;utm_source=bg&amp;utm_medium=bglearn&amp;utm_campaign=platt-how-bible\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God<\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>This simple and practical guide to studying and understanding Scripture will help you see the Bible as a priceless treasure that reveals God&#8217;s love for you and His relentless pursuit of a deeper relationship.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>How to Read the Bible<\/em>&nbsp;is not just a book; it&#8217;s an invitation to experience God&#8217;s Word in a way that transforms your life. Whether you&#8217;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.<a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you ever feel lost trying to read the Bible? These four simple steps are a treasure map that leads you to the reward of intimacy with God in his Word.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6255,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[463,138,31],"tags":[92,78,402,341,408,203,70],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.4 (Yoast SEO v24.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>4 Simple Steps to Transform How You Read the Bible [FREE 5-Day Devotional] | Bible Gateway News &amp; Knowledge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you ever feel lost trying to read the Bible? 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