Spiritual formation and AI: A deep dive with Andy Crouch and Jay Kim

Following Jesus in the digital age is complicated. Technologies like the smartphone and social media have transformed the way we relate to God and to our loved ones. Back in 2007, when the iPhone launched, the church was barely prepared for how this new tech would shape us. Now, with the rise of AI tools, we might be seeing another 2007 moment. For followers of Jesus, it’s raising new questions: Should I use AI all the time — or not at all? Can I ask chatbots for therapy? Can AI help me grow more like Jesus? For guidance in this moment, we gathered our friends Andy Crouch and Jay Kim for a conversation. In this long-form discussion, they dive deep into questions around faith and AI, going from the history of AI to what the spiritual disciplines can tell us about tech to some big, philosophical ideas. Join our newsletter list to receive a discussion guide and tips on following Jesus in the digital age with AI: https://us5.list-manage.com/survey?u=c64cb29f7dfce5d7eee7749ff&id=dd773bac2f&attribution=false Here are some timestamps to help you navigate everything they shared: 00:00-1:32: Intro from John Mark Comer 1:32-12:13: The history of AI, and what makes it different from other tech 12:13-16:48: What Jesus’ life can tell us about using AI 16:48-22:56: Pushback: how the disciples and early church used tech 22:56-30:41: Asking AI chatbots for therapy 30:41-40:01: Why talking to God is so different from talking to AI 40:01-43:31: AI and the spiritual disciplines: prayer and Scripture 43:31-47:45: AI and the spiritual disciplines: silence, solitude, and fasting 47:45-52:56: AI and the spiritual disciplines: community 52:56-56:39: How pastors can be ahead of the AI curve 56:39-01:02:39: Using AI to write sermons 01:02:39-01:07:23: How tech promises us superpowers ... and why that might not be a good thing 01:07:23-01:12:45: A philosophical metaphor for tech use 01:12:45-01:14:47: What AI is really good at, and whether that’s relevant to becoming like Jesus 01:14:47-01:18:28: The question to ask before you use AI Andy is a partner for theology and culture at Praxis and author of The Life We’re Looking for: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. Jay is the lead pastor at WestGate Church in Silicon Valley. Our resources are free, thanks to the generosity of The Circle and other givers. Learn more about The Circle at https://www.practicingtheway.org/give. Run a Practice with your community and find other resources at https://www.practicingtheway.org/resources.