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Q: Preacher, does Bible Study need any special strategy or will just attentive reading do? A: It does need a strategy. The attentive reading is presumed. In Bible Study pay attention to two things. First, the Spirit Meaning – Teaching – of what you read. For instance, A Wise man is Strong; Yea, a man of Knowledge increaseth Strength. For by Wise Counsel thou shalt make thy War: and in multitude of Counsellors there is Safety. (Proverbs 24:5-6) In the above Scripture, we ought to take the Words Wise, Strong, Knowledge, Strength, Wise Counsel, and War in their spiritual meaning first. This way the multitude of Counsellors is seen as People of GOD taught by Him. In every exposition or explanation of the Scriptures, therefore, the subject-matter is first to be considered; that is, we are first clearly to see the thing or matter spoken of in each case. When this is strictly first done, then next the words are to be brought to a due application to the thing (if the grammatical laws of the language will permit); but the things are never to be made to bend to the words... And although a knowledge of the words is prior in order; yet the Knowledge of the things is better, and the more important. (Martin Luther, The Creation: A Commentary On The First Five Chapters Of The Book Of Genesis, p.349) Second, when it comes down to people described in the Bible, within the Spirit Meaning mentioned above, see yourself literally in every negative & erring person. That’s for better Understanding what our Blessed Lord Jesus did for you. For Christ also once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to GOD, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit... (1Peter 3:18) This strategy may also help us to avoid putting forth an accusation finger in our Sermons and conversations. For indeed, we might be so much better off avoiding criticism and speaking we, rather than somebody’s name. The last (but not the least) is, be it personal or Congregational – Implementation – that is, Obedient Following the Teaching here & now. …our Prayer, as our Work, would not avail or effect anything; but its efficacy comes from this, that it is done in accordance with His Command and Promise, so that it may well be regarded as a Sacrament, and rather as a Divine Work than as one of our own... ...if you do a Work prompted by the Word and Promise, then you have a sure Proof that GOD is Gracious to you... (Martin Luther, Commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, p.261) (Christian Mind Ministry, Q & A, chapter 102)