Using AI to to Enhance Your Bible Knowledge
A Guide for Pastors, Ministry Leaders, and Bible Teachers
By David Sena | BoldLeading.com
At Bold Leading, our mission is to support nonprofit leaders—especially those serving in faith-driven ministries.
I created this guide to help you harness AI tools (like ChatGPT and perplexity) to study Scripture for in-depth for sermons, Bible studies, and personal devotion. I led a church for five years as Senior Pastor and now lead the men’s programs at a Christian inner-city shelter for people experiencing homelessness. I’ve found AI to be a helpful resource in my personal study of Scripture as well as for crafting devotions and talks for my staff and the communities in which I serve.
This guide, focused on the study of Philippians 4, is designed for non-technical, ministry-focused users who want to make the most of online AI tools without sacrificing faithful, thoughtful study.
How This Guide Helps You
Learn to use AI to streamline and deepen your bible study:
Get clear, structured study outlines.
Dig into historical and cultural context.
Explore Greek word meanings.
Find cross-references in Scripture.
Develop suggested practical application points.
AI, used wisely and well, can save you time and help you dive deeper into your bible.
Using AI for Scripture Study
1. Start with a Simple Request
AI Prompt:
“Give me a summary of Philippians 4.”
Use this prompt to get an overview of the passage.
A summary is perfect for kicking off your study or teaching preparation.
2. Ask for Historical and Cultural Context
AI Prompt:
“Explain the historical background of Philippians. Who wrote it? When? To whom? What was Philippi like?”
This content helps your audience understand the “why” behind Paul’s letter.
Historical context brings depth to your introduction.
3. Request a Clear Outline
AI Prompt:
“Give me an outline of Philippians 4 with verse breaks and headings.”
Outlines are great for structuring your notes or creating a handout.
Verse breaks and headings keep your message organized.
4. Explore the Greek Words
AI Prompt:
“Explain the Greek words in Philippians 4:6-7 and their meanings.”
Tapping into the original language helps you unpack rich language that illuminates the passage (e.g. merimnaō = anxious).
Insight into the original language adds scholarly depth without needing to know Greek yourself.
5. Discover Cross-References
AI Prompt:
“Give me cross-references for Philippians 4:6-7 about anxiety and prayer.”
Cross references connect your teaching to the whole Bible.
Using the entirety of Scripture for study encourages holistic, contextual interpretation.
6. Identify Theological Themes
AI Prompt:
“What are the main theological themes in Philippians 4?”
Theological themes help you focus on big ideas (joy, peace, contentment).
Exploring and addressing passage themes make your message cohesive and impactful.
7. Develop Practical Application
AI prompt:
“Suggest practical applications for Christians today based on Philippians 4.”
Offering application turns Scripture study into a tool for real-life change.
Practical suggestions help make your teaching pastoral and relatable.
8. Add Quotes from Theologians
AI prompt:
“Give me quotes from theologians about Philippians 4.”
Bringing in respected voices (e.g., Calvin, Wright) provide depth to your study.
The voices of trusted theologians add credibility to your teaching.
9. Summarize for Handouts or Notes
AI Prompt:
“Summarize Philippians 4 in bullet points for a Bible study handout.”
A brief passage handout is easy to share with small groups or volunteers.
A quickly, AI-formatted Scripture summary saves time creating resources.
Advanced Tip: Focus on One Verse
AI Prompt:
“Do a detailed exegesis of Philippians 4:13 with Greek word analysis, cross-references, and application.”
Highly focused studies are perfect for single-verse sermons or devotionals.
Single-verse analysis and study helps you go deep without getting lost.
Consolidating Prompts
We have unique personalities, study and preparation approaches, and time constraints. Here are a few “robust” AI prompts if you need a faster response or start for your AI session and study.
1. Full Prompt
If you want everything at once, try this prompt:
“Do a detailed Bible study guide for Philippians 4, including historical context, cultural background, Greek word studies, cross-references, theological themes, and modern applications for a sermon or Bible study.”
This prompt is great for getting a full study draft you can customize.
2. Super Prompt
For a truly complete study guide in one go, try this:
“Please create a detailed Bible study guide for Philippians 4 that includes the following:
Historical background (who wrote it, when, audience, purpose)
Cultural context of Philippi as a Roman colony
A clear outline of the chapter with verse breaks and headings
Greek word studies for key terms (including roots and meanings)
Cross-references to other biblical passages on similar themes
Theological themes and big ideas explained
Practical applications for modern Christian living
Relevant quotes from respected theologians or scholars
A summary in bullet points suitable for a Bible study handout
Suggestions for sermon or Bible study discussion questions”
How to Use These Prompts
If you’re new to AI, here are a few tips and notes on using these online resources:
Navigate to an AI platform on the web (ChatGPT.com, perplexity.ai, etc.)
Select the free option while you become familiar with AI and specific platforms.
Copy and paste selected prompts above into the AI interactive field.
Review the response provided by AI.
Copy and paste the AI response into a document or select a download option.
Edit or adapt the response for your audience.
Employ AI’s insights to save prep time and deepen your study.
Use AI carefully and wisely. AI technology is amazing, but it has limitations. (See “Cautions” below.")
Cautions When Using AI
Using AI can save much time and provide surprising insights and structure to your study, but there are things to be mindful of:
Know that AI doesn’t promise to be accurate. Be sure to double check references and sources provided; people quoted and quote details, and facts provided.
Learn AI’s limitations. It’s been suggested that the more prompts given in a particular search or AI thread, the less accurate the responses become. If you find the information provided is increasingly “off,” begin again with a new prompt.
Don’t use AI as a substitute for independent study. God has uniquely gifted and called you to bring His good news to the people in your life. Lean first and foremost into His wisdom and leading and the unique insights He provides. Ask Him to help you use AI to uncover the light He wants to shed on the study and delivery of His Word.
Avoid plagiarism. Take the content generated from AI and repurpose it into the sermons and devotionals the Lord is calling you to craft. AI is a resource and tool, not your content creator. That’s you through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.
Aware of these limitations of AI, I continue to be amazed at all the ways it has enhanced my study of Scripture and aided in preparation of material to bless others with the Word of God.
Paul wrote to the Philippians:
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is working in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:12–13)
Notice the tension:
You must work out your salvation...
Because God is working in you.
God’s wisdom, insight, and power are real, present, and divine. But He expects you to pick up the torch.
Disclaimer
I’m not an AI expert. I’m an AI enthusiast who loves Jesus and wants to use every moment, tool, and opportunity to draw near to God—and to help others do the same.This guide isn’t meant to replace prayer, the Holy Spirit’s leading, or deep personal study. Instead, think of AI as one more tool in your toolbox, like a commentary or concordance, to help you faithfully teach God’s Word.
James 1:5 –
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
Final Encouragement
Use the prompts shared in this guide to get started in your study. But most importantly:
Pray.
Listen.
Let God guide you as you teach, lead, and serve.
About Bold Leading
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