Can AI be used for discipleship?

from the old testament

• God’s desire was always that His people would reflect His character to the nations through obedient living (Genesis 18:19).
• God calls His people to know Him, fear Him, obey His commands, and pass that knowledge on intentionally to generations (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). This is discipleship. Doing this helps people come to know God and reflect His character to the world.
• Israel was to be shaped by God’s Word, not just informed by it, so each generation would live faithfully before Him (Psalm 78:5–7). The study and application of God’s Word is an important part of discipleship.
• Discipleship happens in community. Parents teach children, leaders instruct the people, and God’s works are rehearsed through worship and obedience (Deuteronomy 11:18–21).
• The prophets and wise teachers modeled faithfulness and called others to follow God wholeheartedly (Malachi 4:4).
• Discipleship keeps His people from drifting into idolatry and disobedience (Judges 2:10).

from the new testament

• A disciple is not merely a learner but a devoted follower who submits their whole life to Christ (Luke 9:23).
• Discipleship comes from abiding in Christ and produces fruit that reflects Him (John 8:31; John 15:8).
• Jesus called people to follow Him, taught them truth, lived life with them, and sent them out to obey what they learned (Mark 3:14).
• After His ascension, Jesus called His followers to continue what He had done and to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20).
• The apostles continued this pattern and taught faithful believers who could teach others (Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 2:2).
• Discipleship is essential for Christian faith because it is how believers grow in maturity (Ephesians 4:11–16).
• Transformed lives–by salvation and discipleship–point others to God and glorify Him (Matthew 5:16; John 13:34–35).

implications for today

Discipleship matters. It is how we grow in faith. Discipleship is about forming lives that follow and reflect Christ and help others do the same. Discipleship is not just about knowledge, though that is an important part. It is an active pursuit of people from all nations (“go and make disciples of all nations”), teaching them, and helping them to live for and obey Christ (Matthew 28:18–20). Discipleship can be accomplished in many ways, using many resources.

There are many AI resources out there and many more being developed. So, it is possible to use AI in certain aspects of discipleship, such as asking good questions and digging deeper in the study of the Word, depending on the source. In this sense, AI can function like a study aid or teaching tool, although at a much lower level in comparison to commentaries, concordances, or curriculum. An argument can be made for using AI in the knowledge aspect of discipleship.

However, there are also major drawbacks to and limitations with using AI for discipleship. For example, AI cannot replace the relational, incarnational, and Spirit-led nature of biblical discipleship. Discipleship comes from life-on-life formation. It cannot be done with a soulless, lifeless mechanism that does not actually have a relationship with God. Discipleship happens as we study God’s Word together, live out godly obedience, live out the one anothers of Scripture such as bearing one another’s burdens, correcting in love, and walking together in community (Mark 3:14; Hebrews 10:24–25). Growth in Christ requires submission, accountability, repentance, and obedience—things that ultimately happen through relationships with God and other believers, not technology. Perhaps one day AI will provide even more resources to support learning and engagement with Scripture or other resources to aid discipleship, but it will still require believers committed to fulfilling the Great Commission and committed to helping people come to know and follow Christ.