There’s a certain thrill to watching AI solve a complex problem in seconds—something that might have taken you hours, days, or even years to master. Need to understand calculus? Ask for a step-by-step breakdown. Struggling with Greek syntax? Let the algorithm parse it. Want to grasp church history? Generate a timeline with key figures and movements, all neatly packaged.
It’s tempting to think we’re learning faster than ever. But speed is not the same as depth. And convenience is not the same as formation.
Speed is not the same as depth. And convenience is not the same as formation.
True learning, the kind that shapes character and cultivates wisdom, has always required struggle. The apostle Paul knew this when he wrote about pressing toward the goal, running the race, fighting the good fight. Formation happens in the friction. It’s the mental wrestling, the late-night confusion, the slow dawning of understanding that builds not just knowledge, but resilience, humility, and discernment.
When AI removes the struggle, it also removes the possibility of growth. We bypass the challenge and also the reward. Remember: information is not the goal. Information is a depreciating commodity in a world where wisdom is becoming scarce. If we are not careful, we may shortcut the very process that makes us teachable.
Information is a depreciating commodity in a world where wisdom is becoming scarce.
Education is not just about knowing more, it’s about becoming more. And becoming requires perseverance. Leaders who rely too heavily on instant insight risk producing shallow disciples. Real growth still demands what it always has: patience, repetition, failure, and grace.