An essential part of personal worship is reading and meditating on the Scriptures.

Paul tells Timothy (2 Tim. 3:14-17): “¹⁴ But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; ¹⁵ And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

All scripture is “God-breathed” – θεόπνευστος (θέος – God + πνέω – blow, breathe). The Spirit of God rested upon and spoke through men in a supernatural way so that their words were God’s words.

It is profitable (ωφέλιμος – helpful, useful, serviceable, advantageous) for:

• doctrine: διδασκαλίας – teaching, education, training, instruction (cf. didactic).
• reproof: ελεγμός from ελέγχω – bring to (a sense of) shame/guilt, prove, convict, convince, refute, confute, accuse, examine to attest.
• correction: επανόρθωσιν from επανορθόω (ορθος – right/straight, cf. orthodontist, οδους – tooth).
• instruction in righteousness: δικαιοσύνη – making right, doing justice, hold guiltless, justify

¹⁷ That the man of God may be:

• perfect: άρτιος – exactly fitted for the purpose
• thoroughly furnished: εξαρτίζω – completely ready to perform good work

Basic Scriptures: If one wish to draw near to God, one must know His Word and meditate upon it.

Deut. 6:6 – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart

Ps. 18:30 – “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.”

Ps. 119:11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”…89 – “For ever, O Lord, thy world is settled in heaven.”

Is. 40:8 – “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”

Mtt.24:35 – “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

I Pt. 1:25 – “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism crystalizes fundamental truths about the Scriptures in two questions and answers. It is beneficial to memorize them.

Question. 2: What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him? Answer: The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

Question 3: What do the Scriptures principally teach? Answer: The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.”

Many Bible passages supporting these truths are set out here.

These fundamental teachings on the Scriptures are set forth more fully in the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 1, here.

One of the most popular annual Bible reading schedules was made by the Scottish pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne (1813-1843). It is here. His plan provides the reader a full “diet” of the Scriptures each day.

There is also a plan for reading through the Bible as things happened through history: a Chronological Bible Read Plan.

Ligonier Ministers provides twenty different Bible reading plans here.