The M'Cheyne Reading Plan

The M'Cheyne Reading Plan is a Bible reading schedule created by Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813–1843), a Scottish minister from Dundee who, despite dying at just 29 years old, left a lasting influence on Christian devotional practice.

The Structure

The plan is organized around four daily readings—typically about four chapters total—from different parts of Scripture. In one year, you read:

• The Old Testament once
• The New Testament twice
• The Psalms twice

The Original Design

M'Cheyne organized the readings into two columns labeled "Family" (for family worship) and two labeled "Secret" (for private devotion, drawing from Matthew 6:6's language). Most contemporary users simply read all four passages in one sitting, though some still split them between morning and evening.

Why This Approach?

M'Cheyne designed this plan to help the individual reader see and appreciate the larger story of Scripture. By reading from four different parts of the Bible simultaneously—historical, prophetical, and devotional content—readers encounter the internal unity and interconnectedness of the biblical narrative rather than developing a fragmented understanding.

Practical Notes

M'Cheyne warned against letting the reading become mere formalism. He wrote that readers should "let the calendar perish rather than this rust eat up your souls," emphasizing that the goal is genuine encounter with God, not completing a checklist. He also encouraged turning Scripture into prayer—kneeling and praying the words of Psalms back to God.