8 Tips to Build a Morning Bible Study Routine That Anyone Can Follow

Planning ahead is foundational to your successful morning Bible study routine. This means you plan for what you want to achieve. One major key component to making progress with the routine you want to conquer is to plan to get up.

If you stay up late, typically leave the house in a rush in the morning, and can’t remember if you closed the garage door or unplugged the iron, there might be a bit of planning you need to tackle to make sure you can get up in time to actually make the morning time work for you and your goals. Do your best by planning to actually get out of bed in the morning.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

2. Choose a Place

This might seem insignificant, but where you do your Bible study matters. Do you need it quiet or dim or bright? Do you need to be at a table where you can focus, or do you prefer a cozy blanket and comfy chair or sofa? Choose a place that you can return to morning after morning. Think of it like you are setting an appointment with the Lord and you are going to meet in a specific place.

Over and over in the Bible we get a birds-eye view to see where God met with people, and God wants to meet with you too! Jesus is our best example. His prayers with God were sometimes early in the morning and He went where he was alone and it was quiet.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

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Think about what you might use during your study time. First, you need a Bible, either digital or printed. Second, you might want a carefully selected journal, prayer notebook, or notes app to jot down what you are learning or write out your prayers. Third, choose a pen you love so it is familiar and comfortable when you sit down to focus on God. Fourth, think about if you need any other study resources, or if you are in a beginning season only use the Bible.

Maybe you’d benefit from some worship music, or a guided reading plan. If you are looking for deeper study, ask a trusted mentor what to use to supplement daily reading.

“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5).

4. Set a Realistic Time

It is time to get practical. What time do you typically wake up? Choose a time that will work well in the routine you already have for your appointment with God. If you usually get up and go straight to the coffee pot, consider sitting down with your coffee and doing your Bible time while you sip your hot drink. If you normally hop in the shower and get completely ready before you leave your room, think about either listening to the Bible audibly while you get ready, or adding time after you get dressed to sit down and study.

Whatever you do, you must consider what you already do and think about what will practically work with the system you already have in place. This is the key to making your new habit the most successful.

“Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:17).

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As you set out to read or study the Bible every day or several days a week, set a realistic goal. Think of it kind of like a new way of eating or a new work out plan. If you try to do too much at once, it is very likely that you won’t stick with it. So, choose something attainable at first. When we know we can do it, we are more likely to try.

If a friend is reading through the Bible in 90 days, but you haven’t picked yours up in 90, that might be a difficult goal to achieve. Think about developing a daily habit. Take small steps each day by showing up to your place, at the same time, and doing something even it is small. Read, pray, and thank the Lord for another day. Once your morning routine muscles get stretched and lean, you’ll grow into bigger and stronger habits.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

6. Work the Plan

Now that you have a time, place, and goal set, work the plan! Don’t stop here. Get up and do the work. We call it work because all relationships take work. And that is exactly what this is all about. It is you working toward a more open and honest relationship with the Lord. As you show up and speak and listen to Him, He in return speaks to you. This is spiritual growth in action.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).

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So you’ve started a new routine and you are learning what works well and what doesn’t. Give yourself grace and evaluate how you can best succeed at this. Make changes as needed but don’t stop showing up. Get to your spot and be there on time! God will never miss a meeting with you! He will be there again and again and again.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

8. Try Again

If you fail, try again. We are all human and there will be days when you get up late, the kids are sick, the dishwasher overflows, or life just happens to throw everything off track. Let it go and begin again. Do not let a missed day or two or ten stop you from developing a deeper walk with God. Get back to it!

Like I mentioned earlier, it is like any new habit. There will be good days of success and days when it is harder to keep going. But if you do keep going, you are sure to reap the benefits of a richer life in Christ.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Are you ready to begin a refreshed or new morning Bible study routine? I would love to hear how you are planning to move forward. Tell me by sending me a message or share your plan with a friend and get started today! You are as close to God as you choose to be.

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