More Prayed Up, Not More Researched: Sermon Prep in the Age of AI

We're wrapping up our month long series on preaching with a conversation every pastor and Bible teacher needs to hear. Brandon Hayes sits down with Hunter Melton, campus and teaching pastor of The Church at Woodbine, to talk about sermon research: how to use commentaries, AI, and other study tools well, without letting them replace dependence on the Holy Spirit. Hunter walks through his weekly rhythm, the tools he actually uses, and where he draws a hard line with AI in sermon preparation. It's a conversation about being resourced without losing sight of the text, and about pursuing faithfulness over polish. In this episode, you'll learn: Why being "more resourced than ever" can lead to analysis paralysis, and how to guard against it Hunter's weekly rhythm for sermon prep (Monday and Tuesday with the text and the Holy Spirit, Wednesday and Thursday with commentaries and tools) Why he calls commentaries and old sermons his "dead friends," and which resources he trusts (ESV Study Bible, CSB Study Bible, Crossway's Exegetical series, Baker Academic) How to know when "enough is enough" in research, and why languages and research should support a sermon without being seen What to do when a Wednesday commentary read reveals you got the text wrong Where AI can genuinely help (finding illustrations, checking timing), and where it becomes a slippery slope for a preacher Why Hunter believes AI reshaping a sermon's content or tone crosses a real line, and what's at stake if pastors export their calling to a tool One concrete step for pastors who love people but struggle to sit down and study Meet the Guests Brandon Hays is the campus and teaching pastor of The Church at Harpeth Heights. He's hosting the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast this month, where he talks with pastors and ministry leaders from across Brentwood Baptist about how they lead, teach, and shepherd their people well. Hunter Melton is the campus and teaching pastor of The Church at Woodbine. Known among his fellow campus pastors as one of the most quotable voices at Brentwood Baptist, Hunter brings both conviction and humor to how he studies, prays, and prepares to preach each week.