A Bible Reading Guide by Robert Murray M‘Cheyne. December 1842

Years ago the godly Presbyterian pastor from Scotland, M’Cheyne put together a reading guide for his congregation at St. Peter’s in Dundee. Wisely he understood that a reading guide was a great tool to help Christians get into the Word, but it also had dangers as well. I’ve reproduced his 4 dangers and his 4 advantages, but adapted the commentary in my own words, using his thoughts as my guide.
THE DANGERS.
(1.) Formality. – There is a danger in taking any form or practice of religion and making it the center of our hearts. Don’t let your Bible reading guide be a substitute for a living faith.
(2.) Self-righteousness. – One can go through all the mere motions of worship and prayer and reading the Bible without growing in Grace, if you do not trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you.
(3.) Careless reading. – Better to get behind in the schedule and to really ponder what God is saying then to run through it fast. Take notice of what God is saying, because it is His holy Word.
(4.) A yoke to heavy to bear. M’Cheyne said we should relish the heavenly food, but if we come to dread the task of the daily guide, throw it way and come to God’s Word as the fresh daily bread that will sustain your soul. Don’t make it a burden make it a joy.

THE ADVANTAGES.
(1.) The whole Bible will be read through in an orderly manner in the course of a year. – The wise Scot said it best: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the
man of God may be perfect.” If we pass over some parts of Scripture, we shall be incomplete
Christians.
(2.) Time will not be wasted in choosing what portions to read. You can jump right into reading once you open your Bible and it will flow from your previous reading.
.(3.) Parents will have a regular subject upon which to examine their children and servants. – If everybody in your house is reading the same passage, then you can discuss it over coffee, lunch or at bed-time.
(4.) The pastor will know in what part of the pasture the flock are feeding. – Imagine if the whole congregation is growing and feeding from the same field, then it would encourage each other in daily discipleship and accountability.
(5.) The sweet bond of Christian love and unity will be strengthened. – The Bible is the primary means where we are made holy. Imagine what would happen if the church is reading the Bible
together. Again M’Cheyne said it best, “We shall pray over the same promises, mourn over the same confessions, praise God in the same songs, and be nourished by the same words of eternal life.”