The digital discipleship trend we need to talk about

Recently, a friend stopped by, excited to show me this new app he'd discovered.

"You've got to check this out," he told me, scrolling through his phone. "It's advertised as 'a thoughtful companion that sits beside you helping you grow not just in understanding the Bible but in your overall spiritual well-being as you connect with scripture.' I think it's pretty cool!"

He showed me how you could ask it questions like "Who does God say I am?" and it would respond with Scripture references and encouraging words. The answers looked good at first glance, but something about it left me feeling unsettled.

"What do you think?" he asked.

I hesitated. While I appreciate technology's potential, this made me uncomfortable. It seemed like it was positioning itself to replace the very role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. Isn't Holy Spirit the Parakletos—our Helper and Companion who guides us into truth? Isn't Holy Spirit the one who illuminates Scripture to us?

That conversation weighed on my mind, and I've been noticing a significant trend: many young people are turning to AI for biblical understanding and spiritual guidance.This matches what research is telling us - a September 2022 Boston University/Ipsos survey found that nearly 4 in 10 Americans under 35 believe it would be a good idea to replace spiritual advisers with AI. In contrast, only 9% of those 55 and older feel the same way. These numbers reveal how younger generations are far more comfortable turning to algorithms for spiritual guidance than their parents or grandparents. And while this trend concerns me, I understand why it's happening.

Why We're Turning to Digital Discipleship

Let's be real - AI is convenient. It's available at 2 AM when you can't sleep and your mind is racing with questions. You don't have to schedule an appointment, and you don't have to feel vulnerable sitting across from another person. You can ask anything without feeling judged. Just ask your question and within seconds - a beautifully crafted response filled with Scripture references and inspirational words. No waiting. No vulnerability. No human interaction required. Welcome to the brave new world of digital discipleship.

This isn't something that is coming in the future—it's happening right now. Technology has already transformed how we read Scripture and connect with our communities. Now, the emergence of AI spiritual 'companions' that provide instant biblical guidance raises profound questions about the very nature of spiritual formation.

For younger believers, I understand the appeal of these apps. Many times they are not sure who to reach out to with their questions. Human relationships can be messy and uncomfortable and AI offers a safe space to explore spiritual questions without the awkwardness.

But if this is how you start out your spiritual journey – I am concerned that a faulty foundation is being laid.

The Temptation of Spiritual Shortcuts

Equally concerning is that lately, I'm seeing more and more mature believers using AI as a shortcut in their spiritual journey. Instead of sitting with Scripture, praying, and waiting on God's voice, we can get a neatly packaged "biblical" AI answer in seconds.

Here's the thing - usually the information is correct, the scriptures are quoted accurately and there is nothing wrong with the advice given. So, it's really tempting to turn to these types of spiritual apps when you need a quick answer, some encouragement, understanding about a theological concept, or just biblical advice on a difficult situation. It's quick, efficient, and easy.

But here's the thing: the Christian journey has never been about speed or efficiency. It's about transformation.

When we substitute AI for the deep, transformative work of studying God's Word and seeking Him in prayer, we're trading gold for fool's gold. We're getting information without formation.

Real spiritual growth requires patience and perseverance. It requires a constant commitment to prayer, study of the Word, and waiting on the Lord—qualities that run completely counter to our "get-it-now" culture.

What AI Can't Offer

Let me be clear - I'm actually pretty excited about the potential of AI technology! There are amazing ways we'll be able to use these tools to advance God's Kingdom. But when it comes to spiritual growth and guidance, we need to be extremely careful.

Here's why:

1. AI has no discernment. It can access information, but it cannot dispense Holy Spirit's wisdom. It can't pray for you while formulating a response. It can't sense when you're actually asking about something completely different than what your words say.
2. AI tells you what you want to hear. Unlike a faithful spiritual mentor who might give you uncomfortable truth when you need it, AI systems are designed to please you. If you consistently reject certain biblical teachings, the AI will learn to avoid or downplay those teachings in future responses. This is exactly what 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT) warns about: "For the time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. "
3. AI has no relationship with God or you. The most powerful spiritual guidance I've received has come from people who know me and love me - who can see my blind spots and patterns. AI has neither the relationship with you nor with God to offer that kind of genuine insight.

Remember Who Speaks Life

Friends, long before artificial intelligence, God provided access to divine intelligence through His Spirit. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would "guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is the Helper we need to lead us on our spiritual journey, and He lives within every born again believer. He is the person to help us access God's wisdom for every situation you will encounter in your life.

Side note: If you are unsure what I mean by this or would like to know how to access this divine wisdom - Listen to Dr. Faisal unpack this in a powerful message here.

Finding a Healthy Balance

As we navigate this new digital landscape, I believe we're called to be both wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Technology itself isn't the enemy—it's how we position it in our lives that matters. AI tools can serve us well when they remain servants rather than masters, resources rather than oracles.

Perhaps the question isn't whether we should use AI in our spiritual journey, but how we preserve the irreplaceable elements of faith: direct communion with God, the transformative struggle of wrestling with Scripture, and the refining fire of authentic community. These are the pathways through which the Holy Spirit has worked for generations, and no algorithm, however advanced, can replicate their power.

My prayer is that we approach these new tools with both discernment and grace—testing everything, holding fast to what is good, and always remembering that the same God who created human intelligence is greater than any artificial intelligence we might create. Let's embrace innovation while keeping our spiritual roots deeply planted in the timeless soil of God's presence, His Word, and His people.

At the Plumbline Institute, we know that the rapid advancement of AI technologies can be unsettling, which is why we are passionate about helping God's people navigate this new terrain.

For this reason, we are hosting the Rise of AI Summit on May 2-4, 2025. We'll explore how God has equipped His people with "Apostello Intelligence" for such a time as this. We'll talk about:

• How to wisely use AI tools without compromising our spiritual vitality
• Digital discernment - Spirit-led wisdom in an AI  world
• Reclaiming real relationships in a digital age
• And much more!

Would you join us? I truly believe that with wisdom and discernment, we can engage with these powerful new tools while keeping Jesus at the center of our lives.