A while ago, I collated a few verses to provoke some leaders to read their Bibles attentively and consistently. If you aspire to godliness, this is essential. If you aspire to leadership, this is indispensable.

1. The Bible is a gift

Psalm 19.9–10
The rules of the LORD are true…
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 119.103
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

2. You are blessed when you simply read the Bible

Revelation 1.3
Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy…

3. It is important to read the Bible often, even daily

Psalm 1.2
…but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers. (ESV)

Ezekiel 3.1
And he said to me, “Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.”

Matthew 4.4
But he answered, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

4. The aim is to know the Bible intimately

Psalm 119.11
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119.97
Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

Luke 2.42, 47
And when he was twelve years old… all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

2 Timothy 3.14-17
But as for you, continue in what you have learned… how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God… for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

5. Leadership particularly requires a mind shaped by the Word

Deuteronomy 17.18-19
And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them…

Psalm 119.99
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.

Psalm 119.105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

6. Eldership especially requires a saturation in the Word

Acts 6.2
And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables…”

1 Timothy 3.2
Therefore an overseer must be… able to teach…

7. To know the Word is to know Jesus

John 1.1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.