AI and Bible Study.1

 

AI and Bible Study

Big Idea: An introduction to Artificial Intelligence, AI, and its value as a tool for Bible study while understanding necessary cautions.


Artificial Intelligence, AI, is taking the world by a storm. But it is so new, how should Christians consider it?

Is there a place for it for Bible study? 

Yes. But there are a few things you should know.

About AI

- AI is a massive collection of data (statistics, records, articles, books, music etc.) that uses algorithms to sort the data and respond to queries.

- AI is managed by various platforms. It is expensive to gather the data and set up the programming. It also takes tons of electricity and storage space.

- Platforms develop a chatbot interface. Examples: Microsoft-Co-pilot. Google-Gemini, OpenAI-ChatGPT, xAI (Elon Musk) GROK, Anthropic-Claude, etc.

- AI Chatbots have different approaches. Some are conversational. Some are research focused, with rigid scripts. Others are designed for artistic flare.

- AI chatbot subscriptions can be expensive and are not necessary for most of us. However, one can ask most chatbots a couple of queries a day for free.

-  AI is a tool. It is not an emerging lifeform!

- AI is changing so fast, guardrails and ethical concerns need to be addressed.

How AI is helpful in Bible study:

· Find information quickly. A Bible verse. A cross reference.

· Organize information quickly. For example: Summarize the twelves disciples. List the kings of Israel and Judah, their reign and effectiveness. Ask the theme of each book of the Bible. AI usually credits where they gathered the information.

· Outline a book of the Bible.

· Translate content into another language so more people can understand it.

· Summarize a book about Bible study, like Eugene Peterson’s book, Eat this book.

· Create a chart or graphic on the Kings of Judah, the Minor prophets, etc.

· Compare Bible translations for a verse or passage.

· Learn the historical context of a passage.

· For original language word studies.

Remember:

· Study your passage of Scripture first before consulting AI.

· Remember AI is not all-knowing. It is only as useful as the data it has.

· Practice asking AI good questions being clear, telling it the details you want.

· Always fact check.

· Stay connected to people. AI is not a substitute for the Body of Christ.

· AI has no moral starting point. It may contain bias. AI usually indicates its sources. Check the source if you don’t recognize it.

· AI’s goal is to give a plausible answer, not to be right or theologically correct. Use with prayer. Check with other believers if something doesn’t sound right.

· When teaching or writing, always credit where you get your information. Do not plagiarize. That does not honor God.

 

Last Word

AI is a powerful tool at our disposal. People have questioned new technology since the printing press. God enables us to use tools for His glory.

Next month we will examine specific chatbots, as well as some designed for Bible related study.  I'll make suggestions for practice and share some of my experiences.

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 ESV

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Previous post: Remembering Easter
Upcoming post: AI and Bible Study.2
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Reflect:

Take a moment to meditate on AI in light of our closing verse:

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Remembering Easter

Big Idea: Multiple ideas for reflection for the week before Easter to remember what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf.



Usually during Lent I prepare my heart, reflecting on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Not this year. Ash Wednesday came and went acknowledged, but with no plan. Responsibilities filled my thoughts and my time.

I barely kept up with life. Reading and personal prayer felt like dog paddling except for a daily morning meditation that I love.

I want to make this sacred week matter to me and pass on my ideas.

Easter Week Menu

My intent by showing a menu is to present choices. We all have limited time. I do, but I want to take some time intentionally to think about the gravity and following joy of this special week. So take time to decide as you read through these options, what works for you with your time right now, this week. The Lord is excited for you to show up.

Click to open and read it better.
Right click to save the image.

One Verse Meditation

Take one verse about Jesus’ death and resurrection and mull on it every day this week. With sticky notes post it on your mirror, in your car, on your phone, etc.

Consider a verse here or choose one yourself.

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying. Matthew 28:6 NLT

He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. I Peter 2:24 ESV

Read the Story

Read two chapters about the crucifixion and the resurrection. Mark 15-16.

Read three chapters. Matthew 26-28. Luke 22-24.

John’s Gospel is a nine chapter reading which includes Jesus’ teachings at the Last Supper and His prayer for us. John 13-21.

Consider reading one Gospel account and re-reading it every day leading up to Easter or rotating Gospels. Saturate yourself with the story.\

My Easter Playlists

Make or listen to an Easter playlists. I have made three public Easter playlists on YouTube. Choose one or two of them to listen to the week before Easter. Listen on a walk. Listen in the car. Listen while you work in the yard or the kitchen. They are all about Easter. Or make a playlist of your own on YouTube or from your own music library.

Easter Contemporary Playlist

Good Friday Hymns

Easter Morning Hymns

Bible Project Easter Week Devotional

Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday Devotional from The Bible Project. Here is what Bible Project wrote about it. 

Easter remembers more than one man’s resurrection. It celebrates a worldwide revolution of love that Jesus and his friends started during Holy Week, the days just before his crucifixion. In this eight-day plan, you'll find BibleProject animated videos, commentary, and reflection questions that help you explore how Easter is about resurrection life for Jesus and for all creation.

 You can find it on Bible.com Bible Project / Holy Week and Easter  or in your YouVersion app.

Remember what Jesus did

It is so easy to get caught up in life and show up Easter morning worried about the Easter dinner, potential family interactions or what everyone else is wearing.

Easter is a day to remember Jesus.

The word “remember” is often used in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament, to help the people of God remember who God is and what He has done.

Easter is a day to remember Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin and His victory over sin and death!

Remember!

This is My body, broken for you

Do this in remembrance of Me

This bread I break, given for you

So now as often as you eat

Remember Me, Remember Me

Aaron Shust lyrics

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Previous post: No Speeding
Upcoming post: AI and Bible Study.1
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Reflect:


What is your favorite thing about the spiritual side of celebrating Easter? Is there a special service leading up to Easter you appreciate? Is there something that thrills you Easter morning at your church? What would you like to spend more time reflecting on?

No Speeding

Big Idea: Slowing down while reading a Bible verse gives time to meditate and hold on to a thought throughout the day.



Cause me to understand… Wait. Diane. Slow down. Think about that! The Psalmist is asking God to help him have understanding of the Bible. Wow. Good thought! I should hold on to that.

I had just started a book of devotions and that day’s reading featured Psalm 119:27-32.

I often speed through Bible passages

True confession. In my class preparations I read long passages in one sitting. Last year I did a read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year. I feel sometimes like I’m speeding through Bible passages at 80 miles per hour trying to get through it and get on with my day.

This year I want focus. I want less quantity and more reflection.

The whole of Psalm 119:27 reads, Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

I paused firstly at Cause me to understand… but as I moved on to the way of your precepts I found myself pausing again. I see this phrase all the time in the Psalms. Have I ever stopped to think about it?

The way of your precepts. The way. It’s like a path or a road. It requires a journey, a way we ought to go. Hmmm. That is worth reflecting on.

Sit on it

I decided to sit with just these two thoughts. I’d reflect on more tomorrow.

I noticed the second part of the verse mentions meditate, which is what this is.

My January blog mentioned my meditation tiles. I like to take a verse like this and make a tile. On my phone, I pull it out when walking, in a grocery store line, or at an appointment waiting.

Ways to meditate on a verse

1. Read Purposefully. Slow down and read a sentence or phrase. Not every sentence in the Bible brings meditation thoughts, but the Psalms are full of them. The teachings of Jesus and Paul are too.

2. One word. Take one word for emphasis at a time.

THE way of your precepts. Yup, it is the singular best way.

The WAY of your precepts. The way, the path, the way the truth and the life, right?

The way of YOUR precepts. Who does it belong to? Who is “your”? Oh, God. Right. It’s all about Him.

The way of your PRECEPTS. Not to sound like a thesaurus but… Instructions. Guidebook. Manual for Life. Commandments. Oh, like the 10 commandments and so much more!

3, Visual reminder. You might put it on a sticky note. A meditation tile. In your planner for today.

4. Imagine. Visualize yourself with Jesus telling you. Or the Psalmist. Imagine asking if he’s made a song to this thought. Ask yourself, can I make up a song for myself? You’re not planning on getting a Dove award. It’s for you and the Lord.

5. Apply. Mull on it in your life situation. Why does it matter? How does it help?

6. Pray. Do you have a burning question about it? Pray for wisdom.

7. Other versions of the Bible. Consider reading it in a couple of versions for a fresh view. Maybe another version gives another facet to this diamond.

Slow down

Slow down. Keep it in your heart. Reflect. Remind. Rest.

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Previous post: My Meditation Tiles
Upcoming post: Remembering Easter

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Reflect:


Take time to reflect on this yourself today. Or choose a different verse. Practice meditation on the Word of God.

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. Psalm 119:2

 

My Meditation Tiles

Big Idea: Diane uses the YouVersion online Bible to make meditation tiles as a tool to reflect on the Scriptures.



I am a visual learner. I like having a poster, card or even a post-it note to remember a Biblical concept.

Learning to meditate is something our society does not seem to value. Or it may be tied up in relaxation techniques or New Age rituals.

The Bible mentions meditation quite a few times.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 NLT

Like a dog with a bone

I grew up with a family dog. When the Sunday roast had a juicy bone, that went to the dog.  We all knew better than to try to take it way from him. He’d spend hours licking and gnawing on it.

The word for “meditate” in Hebrew in the Old Testament is the word “Hagah.” The word is sometimes used in ancient Israel for the way a lion relishes and gnaws on a bone.

The idea transferred to meditation on God’s word is to gnaw on it and relish it. Go over and over it trying to get all you can from it. It is a process of appreciation.

 

I highly recommend a book by Eugene Peterson on the concept of devouring the Word of God and meditating on it.  It is called "Eat this book."  He explains in the first chapter of the book the concept of "Hagah."

How I made verses for meditation 

I discovered I could use the app associated with YouVersion of the Bible to create my own image to use for mediation.

1. Keep the background simple.

2. Don’t feel you need to copy the entire verse. Use a phrase or section that strikes you.

3. Use a version you really like. I use New Living Translation for my meditation time.

4. Make the font large and simple.

5. Have a good contrast between the background and letters. Either light with dark or dark with light.

6. Keep it with your phone photos. Pull it out when on a walk or stuck waiting somewhere like the doctor’s office.

Do it Yourself

Here is how you can make this yourself.

1. Go to YouVersion and click on the verse you want to make. It will have a dotted underline.

 

2. At the bottom of the page is a menu. Find “Image.”

 

3. It will offer you background images they already have. Choose something simple. Or you can use your own photo. Also, sometimes it is helpful to blur the background.

4. It will center it. You can take out part of the verse. You can also adjust size, borders, change font, etc.

5. I often take a screenshot of the finished tile, frame it and keep it with my photos.

 

6. Meditate on it as you go.

 

Here is an example of a bunch of tiles I made for our class when we studied Deuteronomy.

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Previous post:  Advent post: Son of David

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Reflect:



Is there a topic you tend to obsess over? Is there a way to train yourself to meditate on the Bible instead? Make a tile and try it out today.