Bible Reading Plans-M'Cheyne

A common approach that approximates the One Year Bible in some ways is the M’Cheyne plan, devised originally by a pastor M'Cheyne for his flock. This approach also allows the reader to study multiple sections of scripture each day and is somewhat unique in that it encourages both “family” and “secret” times of reading.  The reader will go through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice.  This approach has been recommended by a number of prominent pastors and theologians I have read over the last couple of years.  The reader is given a list of readings for each date and, much like the One Year Bible, if the plan is followed, the reader will finish the Bible in a year.  A useful variation for the less ambitious is one prepared by Stephen Witmer that covers the Bible in two years.

Strengths:

• It provides a written plan that allows you to read through the whole Bible in a year, but does not require a special Bible.
• It allows for both family and private reading.  Reading God’s word together as a family is a worthwhile activity.
• It allows the New Testament and Psalms to be read twice in the year.

 Weakness:

• It faces the same weakness as the One Year Bible that if you fall behind a day, you need to decide what to do with the missed passages.
• It can be more reading than in the other plans discussed already, which can be difficult for some people.  

 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. (Psalm 119:24).