What is the McCheyne Bible Reading Plan?

The McCheyne Bible Reading Plan is a one-year Bible reading schedule devised by Scottish pastor Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813-1843).

Every day, you read two chapters from the Old Testament and two chapters from the New Testament, totaling four passages. Over the course of a year, this allows you to:

• Read the entire New Testament twice
• Read the Old Testament and Psalms once

with the goal of completing the Bible.

Why choose the McCheyne Plan?

1. Balanced Reading

By reading both the Old and New Testaments daily, you grasp the overall flow of the Bible. No more getting tired of only Genesis.

2. Manageable Volume

About 15-20 minutes per day is enough. It’s a light workload that, over a year, completes the entire Bible.

3. Proven Over 180 Years

This plan has been used by countless Christians worldwide since 1843. It’s one of the most trusted and time-tested Bible reading schedules.

4. Flexible Start

While most begin on January 1st, you can start anytime during the year.

Structure of the McCheyne Reading Plan

Range	Content	Times Read Annually
Range 1	Genesis to Nehemiah (Historical Books)	1 time
Range 2	Ezra to Malachi (Poetry/Prophets)	1 time
Range 3	Matthew to Revelation (New Testament 1st round)	1 time
Range 4	Matthew to Revelation (New Testament 2nd round)	1 time

The reason for reading the New Testament twice is that it’s shorter than the Old Testament and contains direct teachings for Christian living.

How to Use the McCheyne Reading Plan

Step 1: Check Today’s Reading

Visit Today's McCheyne Reading Plan to see the four passages you need to read today. The AI also provides a summary of each passage’s key points.

Step 2: Read in Order

Read the four passages in sequence. If you’re short on time, you can read only two now and finish the rest later.

Step 3: Mark Off Completed Passages

Check off the passages you’ve read. Using the Bible Habit checklist helps you track your progress easily and build a streak for motivation.

Step 4: Catch Up When Behind

It’s okay to fall behind a day or two. You can read the missed passages all at once or skip ahead and start with today’s reading. Consistency matters more than perfection.

5 Tips to Keep Going

1. Read at the same time and place: Leverage the power of habit.
2. Use the checklist: Seeing your progress on the Bible Habit checklist boosts motivation.
3. Let go of perfectionism: Falling behind is normal. Just restart today.
4. Utilize AI summaries: When short on time, get the main points with AI summaries.
5. Keep a journal: Writing down insights, even briefly, helps retain what you read.

Start Today

Consistently reading and meditating on God’s Word deepens our faith and guides our lives. Begin this journey today. Small daily efforts lead to great transformation.

• Check Today's Reading Plan
• View the Full 365-Day Schedule
• Plan with the Progress Calculator
• McCheyne Bible Reading Guide