Jump Start # 4088
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
What simple words and instruction to the young preacher, Timothy. Preach the word. In preaching, reprove or correct. In preaching, rebuke. Bring change to hearts and lives. In preaching, exhort. Instruct. Encourage. Help people know the Lord and the way of the Lord.
Just preach the word, is what older preachers tell younger preachers. But, there is something more to this. There is something that many miss. Just how does one write a sermon? For some, I’m one of them, it’s easy and very enjoyable. If there was a business to just write sermons, I’d sign up. But, for others this weekly task is a real burden. Searching for ideas. Thinking of best ways to develop and present the lesson.
And, much of this falls into the area of creativity. On my desk I have two small statues. People have teased if they are my idols. One is of Martin Luther. He has now been sent to Texas. He was a reminder to stand for what you believe in. The other statue, still on my desk, is Walt Disney holding the hand of Mickey Mouse. Walt’s arm is stretched out as if he is showing the mouse something. This is a reminder of creativity and vision. Some are very quick and easy to get the creative juices flowing. Others are not.
I have a deep appreciation and fascination with pop song writers. Many of the greatest hits were written on napkins in a cheap hamburger joints. Ideas came. They were jotted down. Later music was added and that simple idea jotted down on a paper napkin became a massive hit song.
Writing sermons is easy for some. It’s hard for others. That’s the nature of these things. But, now all of this has changed by the introduction of AI. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made short cuts and taken away the need for creativity. I am not opposed to AI. I use it every day. But, AI can do the thinking for us. Critical thinking is not a necessity when AI is around. For generations, the faithful of God have dropped to their knees in deep prayer and poured hours over the open text of God’s word. Ideas developed. Error fought. And, the pages of God’s word were the standard.
The temptation now is to let AI do all that work for me. In one way, AI may not be much different from a sermon outline book. It can create an idea that you must rework, reshape and develop to fit the needs that you have for your sermon. However, like those sermon idea books of long ago, it can also be a cheap and easy way to just let it do all the work and one just read what AI produced.
Here are some of my thoughts:
First, brethren will be on both sides of how to use AI. Years ago, some likely didn’t like the use of computers to find passages. “Nothing is wrong with a Strong’s” some declared, referring to Strong’s Concordance. Some will embrace AI and use it well. Some will hate it and believe it’s from the devil. Some will question whether a sermon is genuine or AI produced.
I see AI as a tool. As with any tool, it can be used wisely and helpfully. But, like any tool, it can be misused.
Second, those with the creative mind will still want to develop and write as they have been. Preaching is an extension of one’s own personality, experiences and heart. AI cannot reproduce that. Some of us can write an article easily. Others will admit that they are no good at writing. Rather than giving up and turning those things over to AI, learn to write better. Read good writers. Ask questions. Get insight. Developing yourself only adds flavor and color to your work.
Third, learning to stand in awe of our Lord develops creativity. Don’t just use black and white crayons in your world. Add some color. This will help you in teaching Bible classes. Don’t outsource critical thinking. Boring, obvious questions get little participation in class. Drop the nets. Develop challenging questions and observations. Explore. Consider. Now, AI can do all of that for you in half a second, but what it cannot do is deepen your faith and broaden your love for the Lord. There is something special about finding those hidden treasures in God’s wonderful word. Faith comes from the word of God, not AI.
Don’t become lazy in your work in the kingdom. Be effective. Be efficient. But, don’t be lazy.
One of our deacons here, a rock star at the university level in business, gave a Ted talk about AI. A couple of Zach’s powerful points were:
· Use AI but don’t let it use you
· Prompt others to think before letting them prompt
Use your gifts that the Lord has given you the best that you can.
Roger