Summary of a Lecture by Professor Sung Wook Shin
The rapid advancement of AI is bringing structural changes to the way sermons are prepared and developed. Preachers are no longer simply collectors of information; they now stand in an era where they must consider how to develop sermons using AI. Therefore, the topic “AI and Sermon Development” is not merely about the use of technology, but a task that requires reestablishing both the essence and methodology of preaching.
AI functions as a highly powerful auxiliary tool in the process of sermon development. It can quickly search and organize vast resources such as commentaries, biblical theology materials, illustrations, and existing sermons, and provides excellent efficiency in comparing, analyzing, and structuring them. It can also be used to draft sermons or supplement content, thereby reducing preparation time and expanding the scope of thinking. In particular, the quality of sermon development is determined by the level of questions asked, and AI becomes an important tool in that it can generate results with desired direction and depth through appropriate questioning.
However, AI cannot be the primary agent in “developing” a sermon. A sermon is not a mere combination of information, but a spiritual event where the Word meets the life of the preacher, formed within a personal relationship with God. AI cannot replace the preacher’s spiritual experiences or inner struggles, and without these elements, a sermon risks losing its depth and becoming a merely formal product. Additionally, AI-generated content may contain theological errors, and uncritical acceptance carries the risk of weakening the preacher’s interpretive abilities.
Therefore, the relationship between AI and sermon development should be understood not as “replacement” but as “assistance.” AI is a tool that expands resources and stimulates thinking, but determining the direction and message of the sermon remains the responsibility of the preacher. In this process, the preacher must ask more refined questions, pursue deeper interpretation of the biblical text, and draw insights that connect with the lives of the audience.
Ultimately, sermon development in the age of AI calls not for technological dependence, but for strengthening the preacher’s own capabilities. AI can be used effectively only when supported by a deep understanding of Scripture, foundational insight into the original languages, and training in homiletics. While AI enables preachers to access more resources, the responsibility for what to select, how to interpret it, and how to communicate it still belongs to the human preacher.
In conclusion, AI is a tool that can innovatively support the process of sermon development, but it is not the agent that forms the essence of a sermon. “AI and Sermon Development” must be understood within a balance between technology and spirituality, and preachers should use AI while keeping a deep encounter with the Word at the center. Distinctive preaching does not arise from technology, but from faithfully delivering a message formed within one’s relationship with God.
