A Comparison of LPro AI Sermon Illustration Tool with Chat GPT4

Matt Doebler

I typed entered the same prompt into both the Logos Pro AI Sermon Illustration tool and Chat GPT 4.  The results are below.  I think the clear advantage goes to Chat GPT--but interested in your thoughts.

Prompt:  

Give me illustrations that address the increasing shame a man experiences as he ages.

Logos Pro--Serious Tone; Personal/Historical/Biblical; Adult

Consider the story of a middle-aged man who struggles with the shame of not achieving the success he anticipated in his career and personal life. This could help the congregation reflect on the impact of unmet expectations and the resulting shame that can accompany it.

Picture a hypothetical scenario in which a man in his later years feels shame over his diminished physical strength and struggles to accept help from others. This could help the audience understand the emotional weight of aging and the stigma around vulnerability and dependence.

In the context of aging, think about the shame a man might experience as he compares himself to societal standards of success and attractiveness. This comparison can lead to deep feelings of inadequacy, drawing parallels to the struggles of an iconic figure in history who faced similar societal pressures and shame.

Reflect on a man in his later years who grapples with the shame of memory loss and cognitive decline. This could be compared to a personal story of a renowned figure facing similar challenges, resonating with those in the congregation who may be dealing with similar issues.

Imagine the shame a man may feel as he deals with financial struggles in his later years. This could be compared to a hypothetical story of a well-known historical figure who faced financial hardship in his old age, helping the congregation connect with the emotional burden of financial insecurity in aging.

As a man ages, he may feel increasing shame over his physical appearance and abilities. This shame can be likened to how King David felt when he was older and unable to physically fight battles as he once did in his youth.

Imagine a man who, as he grows older, compares himself to his younger self and feels inadequate. This could be analogous to a hypothetical scenario where an older athlete compares his current performance to his prime years, feeling a sense of shame at his decline.

In adulthood, a man might experience shame as he battles with feelings of inadequacy and physical decline. This could be compared to a personal story of a respected leader facing his limitations and feeling a deep sense of shame as he struggles to keep up with the demands of his role.

Chat GPT 4 Results

Certainly, exploring the theme of aging and the associated emotional landscape can be quite profound. Here are several verbal illustrations that capture the increasing shame some men might experience as they age:

1. **The Unseen Competitor:** Imagine a man in his later years, standing silently on the sidelines of a bustling, youthful city. Once a participant in its fervor, he now feels like an observer, watching life race by. His once strong and steady hands, now weathered and slow, struggle to keep up with the pace of a world that idolizes youth and vitality. The reflection he catches in shop windows—a grayer, more lined version of himself—feels like a stranger. It's as if his accomplishments and experiences, rather than adding to his worth, have become invisible to those around him, leaving him grappling with a sense of diminishing value.

2. **The Fading Echo:** Picture a seasoned professional, once celebrated for his expertise and insight, now navigating the corridors of his workplace like a ghost among the living. His voice, which used to command attention in boardrooms, now seems to fade into the background, drowned out by the eager, vibrant tones of younger colleagues. He feels an increasing sense of irrelevance, a fear that his life's work is becoming a fading echo in the rush towards new ideas and innovation. The respect and recognition he once took for granted now feel like relics of a bygone era, leaving him to confront the painful question of his legacy.

3. **The Relic in the Family Album:** Envision a family gathering, where laughter and stories flow freely. Amidst the joy, an older man sits quietly, thumbing through a family album. Each photo—a snapshot of moments past—speaks to a version of himself that seems increasingly distant. He watches as younger family members discuss future plans, adventures to be had, and dreams to be chased, and he can't shake the feeling of being a relic of the past. The pride he once felt in his accomplishments is now tinged with a sense of shame, a worry that his time of contributing meaningfully to the tapestry of his family's story is over.

4. **The Silent Retreat:** Imagine a man who once thrived on social interactions, renowned for his charisma and confidence. As the years have passed, he finds himself retreating into silence during gatherings, painfully aware of his fading presence. Jokes that would have once had the room roaring with laughter now seem to miss the mark, and attempts to engage with the younger generation feel awkward and forced. The invisibility he feels in these moments is a stark departure from the man he used to be, leading him to question his place in a world that seems to have moved on without him.

5. **The Warrior’s Reflection:** Picture a veteran, a warrior in his own right, whose battles are now fought in the quiet solitude of his mind. He looks in the mirror, searching for traces of the hero he once was, but finds only the marks of time. His physical strength, once a source of immense pride, now betrays him in small, everyday tasks. The medals and accolades, once symbols of honor and bravery, now serve as painful reminders of a past that feels disconnected from the reality of his current existence. The shame of not being able to embody the ideals of strength and resilience he once represented adds a weight heavier than any armor he’s ever worn.

MJ. Smith

I think the clear advantage goes to Chat GPT--but interested in your thoughts.

Interesting but since the tools serve different purposes, one would expect different results. ChatGPT is intended to provide a single "essay" while Sermon Assistant is intended to provide multiple prompts. We know ChatGPT is prone to hallucinations; I don't know if one can trick the Sermon Assistant into hallucinations. I am not interested in tools that do the writing for me after trying to write on the topic of church calendars using ChatGPT. And, for myself, I prefer to draw my illustrations from traditional world-wide teaching tales so neither tool meets my needs.