The Time Crunch Dilemma

I wasn’t always a Bible teacher, most of my experience comes from pastoral ministry. When I transitioned from a solely pastoral role into teaching Bible classes, I quickly encountered a major challenge: lesson planning and testing. These tasks were eating my lunch and dinner; this was a total time crunch. I would have to make sure that everything was in the system, as I was learning the new curriculum. While I did my best to follow the curriculum schedule for each subject, our block scheduling and fluctuating Chapel days made it difficult to establish a consistent rhythm. I knew I needed a way to streamline my workflow without sacrificing the depth and quality of my lessons.

Enter AI: My Unexpected Teaching Assistant

That’s when I discovered the power of AI, specifically ChatGPT. Instead of spending hours structuring my lessons, I began uploading digital workbooks and asking AI to create structured lesson plans for each class. This simple shift allowed me to maximize my preparation time and focus more on engaging with students rather than scrambling to prepare materials. Lesson planning helps me see the entire picture and ensures that I get through what I want to teach and should teach without getting lost in the weeds. I like having room for questions in the classroom, but the lesson plan keeps me honest and on task.

But lesson plans weren’t the only thing AI helped with. I found that I could also use AI to generate quizzes and tests based on my lectures. While I always double-check the accuracy of the generated content, having an initial draft saves me so much time. This process enables me to refine assessments instead of starting from scratch.

Scenario-Based Learning

One of my favorite ways to use AI is in my Apologetics class. With 8th graders, I prioritize testing their understanding of concepts through scenario-based questions. By uploading my lectures, I can ask AI to create specific scenarios that challenge students to apply their knowledge. I even ask it to generate basic rubrics to grade their responses fairly. This has transformed the way I assess critical thinking skills in the classroom.

Bell Ringers: A Real-Time Insight into Student Understanding

Another AI-powered tool I’ve incorporated is bell ringer questions. These are quick, engaging questions at the start of class to gauge students’ prior knowledge before diving into a lesson. Since our school software allows students to submit answers in real time, I can immediately assess their understanding and adjust my teaching accordingly. AI helps me generate these questions in a way that aligns with my lesson objectives while keeping students engaged from the moment they walk in.

AI: A Tool, Not a Replacement

While AI is not a replacement for a teacher’s discernment and wisdom, it has become an invaluable assistant in my Bible classes. It allows me to focus on what truly matters: guiding students in their faith, fostering deep discussions, and equipping them with the tools to engage with Scripture meaningfully.

If you’re a Bible teacher struggling with time management, I highly recommend leveraging AI to streamline your workflow. The key is to use it as a tool to enhance your teaching, not replace your role as a mentor and guide. With the right balance, AI can help you focus more on ministry and less on administrative tasks, making a lasting impact on your students’ spiritual growth.

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Author:

Pastor Mike Pileggi