5 Questions I ask AI Every Week

I’ve been teaching the Bible for a long time. I’ve used all kinds of tools—commentaries, books, study Bibles, even whiteboards with too many arrows. But nothing has helped me in recent years like AI.

At first, I was skeptical. Can AI really help with something spiritual? But I gave it a shot. And what I discovered is that, used wisely, AI can be like a study buddy who’s read every commentary, listened to every sermon, and never sleeps. It won’t do the praying or the pastoring for you—but it will help you prepare with more creativity, clarity, and joy.

I now ask AI the same five questions almost every week. They’re simple, but they unlock deep insight and save me loads of time.

1. What’s the big idea of this week’s passage?

This is my starting point. Before diving into commentary or crafting discussion questions, I want to know: What’s the main thing this passage is saying?

I’ll say, “What’s the big idea of Romans 5:6–11?” or “What’s the core message of the Prodigal Son parable?”

AI gives a concise answer—usually two or three solid options. From there, I choose the one that best fits my group and how I believe God is leading. Sometimes the big idea is something I already saw. Other times, it opens a whole new door.

2. How would Tim Keller preach it?

Keller had a way of finding Jesus in every text—not in a forced or cheesy way, but in a way that showed how the gospel is the heartbeat of the Bible. When I ask AI how Tim Keller might preach a passage, I’m looking for that same gospel-rich lens.

Here’s an example. When I asked how Keller might preach on Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son, the AI responded with something like this:

“Keller would emphasize that both sons are lost. One is lost in rebellion; the other in religious pride. But the gospel is not about bad people becoming good—it’s about dead people being made alive. The real hero of the story is the Father, who runs, embraces, and restores.”

That’s gold. It reminds me of The Prodigal God, one of Keller’s most powerful sermons-turned-books. AI didn’t just summarize the passage—it helped me feel the gospel again.

3. How would Rick Warren preach it?

Rick Warren is a master at making deep truths simple. When I ask AI how Rick might preach a passage, it usually comes back with super practical takeaways.

For example, on Romans 12:1–2, I got something like:

“Rick Warren would say: To change your life, change your thinking. Don’t be conformed to the world—be transformed by renewing your mind. And you renew your mind by focusing on God’s truth daily. Here’s a simple phrase: What you think, you become.”

That’s sticky. That’s usable. That’s something group members can carry into Monday.

4. How would Adrian Rogers preach it?

Adrian Rogers preached like thunder wrapped in velvet. Bold. Clear. Memorable. When I ask AI how he’d approach a passage, it usually comes back with a three-point outline—often alliterated—and filled with punch.

On a passage like John 14:6, it might come back with something like:

“Adrian Rogers would say: Jesus is the Way that leads you home, the Truth that sets you free, and the Life that gives you purpose.”

And that’s something I can turn into questions, applications, or just let stand and stir the soul.

5. I need some heart-warming, relatable stories to illustrate this teaching. Can you help?

This is where AI really shines. I’ll say something like, “Give me a true story that illustrates forgiveness,” or “I need a story about someone finding peace during suffering.”

It might give me a story about Corrie ten Boom, or a quiet act of love during WWII, or something from modern-day missions. Sometimes it’s a story I’ve heard before—but long forgotten. Sometimes it’s something fresh.

And I can always ask for more. “Give me three more.” “Make it about a child.” “Any examples from sports?” It’s like having access to a massive library of real-life parables.

Wrapping Up

I’m not saying AI is perfect. I still fact-check. I still pray through everything. And I still write the final lesson myself. But using AI has become a big part of my weekly rhythm. It helps me teach better. It saves time. And honestly—it makes study more fun.

So here they are—the five questions I ask AI almost every week:

• What’s the big idea of this week’s passage?
• How would Tim Keller preach it?
• How would Rick Warren preach it?
• How would Adrian Rogers preach it?
• I need some heart-warming, relatable stories to illustrate this teaching. Can you help?

If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a shot. Start with just one of these questions. You might be surprised how much it blesses your preparation—and your people.