Book Review: A Walk Through the Book of Matthew by Jamie Estes

With an interview with author Jamie Estes

Books & Nachos is now part of Now Playing Podcast.

Before our book reviews were branded as Now Playing Podcast Book Reviews, they were released under a separate show called Books & Nachos. That podcast focused on book discussions, most of which tied directly into films we were covering on Now Playing. We’ve now merged those episodes into the main Now Playing Podcast feed for easier access and a complete archive. But these older episodes still have the original Books & Nachos intro and credits on those older recordings. 

We dive into A Walk Through the Book of Matthew: Youth Style by Pastor Jamie Estes, a devotional guide that makes the Gospel of Matthew readable and relatable for young people. The book walks through the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in Matthew, but in a tone that’s approachable for youth groups or anyone looking to connect the ancient text to real-world faith. It’s written with the express goal of helping readers better understand Christ and the example He set for how we live and love.

In this episode, Jerry breaks down key themes from the devotional, talks through what makes the Youth Style approach distinctive, and reflects on how Estes frames Jesus’ teachings in Matthew in a way that’s practical for young believers. Then Arnie sits down with Jamie Estes himself to talk about why he wrote the book, how he navigates making deep Scripture accessible without diluting it, and what he hopes readers will take away after finishing the devotional.

If you want an episode that’s part book review, part author conversation, and all about making the message of Matthew come alive for a new generation, this one’s for you.

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