Somehow it’s become normal to start with reading the Bible, and then see if the Holy Spirit has anything to illuminate in the passage we read. There is another way.

Creation started with the Spirit, before there were any books.

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. – Genesis 1:1-2

Joseph had the Spirit before the Bible was written.

So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” – Genesis 41:38

Jesus’ ministry began with the Spirit, before the Gospels were written.

and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” – Luke 3:22

The early church began with the Spirit, before any of the New Testament was written.

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. – Acts 2:3-4

New churches like the Galatians began with the Spirit.

Are you so foolish? Having begun with the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? – Galatians 3:3

Then for 1,400 years before the Gutenberg Bible was mass produced in 1450, Christians couldn’t read their Bible every day. But they could pray.

It’s still very effective today to begin with the Spirit. We’ve all heard stories of Jesus appearing to people in dreams, before they have any knowledge of the Bible. Then they get connected with believers who fill in their understanding with scripture.

Last year a friend of mine ran a week of mission training in a North African country where that’s not allowed. Last month another friend travelled through the country and reported disciples making disciples now four generations deep. I asked how he did the training: he began with the Spirit, then sent them out. Later in the week, he filled in with teaching from the Bible.

Either way is great, but let’s not be afraid to listen to the Holy Spirit first, and check the Bible later. For me, this approach creates space for really free and open conversations with God. And gives me lots to look up in the Bible later.