Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God’s Word

In this earnest outing, Wetherell (Humble Moms) calls on believers to bring true spiritual yearning to their Bible study practice. She describes a deep, existential “craving for more” that many people try to satisfy with job promotions and other external rewards, but contends that this “spiritual hunger” can only be satisfied by the “life-giving nourishment” of scripture. After listing common roadblocks to Bible study, among them technology and feelings of depression or anxiety, the author invites believers to build an “appetite for God’s word” by recognizing God’s revelation as a privilege and worshipping at a church that prioritizes scripture in its sermons and services. Wetherell also sets out strategies for engaging with the text itself, such as homing in on a specific passage, asking hard questions (“What do certain words mean, and why did the author choose those words?”), and trying to extract a truth to apply to one’s life. Creative alternatives for traditional Bible study might include listening to sermon podcasts or texting favorite verses with friends. Wetherell’s candidness about her own faith struggles makes for some of the book’s most revealing moments: “for too many years,” she explains, “I thought that by opening my Bible I was seeking something good and right to do, rather than... seeking someone to love.” Believers at any spiritual stage will be inspired to approach the Bible with fresh eyes. (Aug.)