Discipling Students in the Age of AI: Ethics, Integrity, and Opportunities

In Episode 2 of Season 6, Shane Pruitt, Paul Worcester, and Lacey Villasenor explore the hot topic of artificial intelligence. AI is reshaping the way the world thinks, plans, and communicates, but is it a tool pastors should leverage or a danger to be avoided? Next-gen leaders will gain insight into how to approach AI with wisdom, use it with integrity, and disciple students already engaging with it daily. Hear stories, practical examples, and biblical reminders to keep Christ at the center of the cultural AI conversation.
 

Also in this episode: 

• Discern how AI can assist in streamlining administrative tasks, planning trips, or creating resources—ultimately freeing leaders to focus more on the students they serve. 

• Warn students about the dangers of relying on AI for truth, identity, or belonging, reminding them that only Christ can provide real hope. 

• Address tough questions directly, like whether AI-generated pornography or avatars still fall under lust and sin, so students don’t look elsewhere for answers. 

• Guard your own integrity as a leader by avoiding shortcuts in sermon prep and letting your teaching overflow from personal time with God’s Word. 

• Discover how to use AI as a practice tool for evangelism by simulating gospel conversations that can help prepare students for real-life encounters.
   

Helpful Resources: 

• ChapGPT 

• Who’s Your One in a Million 

• Youth Leader Coaching Network 

• Collegiate Coaching Network 

• GenSend on Instagram and YouTube 

★ Find more resources to lead the next generation on mission at https://GenSend.org 

★ Subscribe to The GenSend Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

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Shareable Quotes

“We never want to call ChatGPT ‘Pastor Chat’ or ‘Counselor Chat.’ We have to encourage students and help them understand where they can go for real, actual help.”
—Shane Pruitt  

“People are already using AI as a pastor, a friend, even a significant other. That’s not real relationship.” 

—Lacey Villasenor 

“Let’s be wise and tread carefully into the waters of AI. But if we can use it with integrity for the glory of God, let’s use it.”
—Paul Worcester

“The best sermons are those that you’ve bled over the Scriptures yourself, when the Holy Spirit’s worked out things in you rather than receiving a response back from ChatGPT in 10 seconds.”
—Shane Pruitt