ChatGPT Sermon Prep Prompts

Are any of you finding success with any specific prompts to help your sermon prep?

Would you mind sharing them here?

I am not looking for ChatGPT to write my sermons. I am looking for ChatGPT to pull together resources (blogs, illustrations, commentary, connective tissue, etc) that I can read and work from as a starting point.

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DAL

My prompt was: write a sermon on baptism using quotes, commentaries, illustrations, etc. It gave me a short talk but it got my gears going. It doesn’t really cite commentaries, but at one point using another prompt it gave me a Tim Keller sermon on baptism.

"Dear congregation, today we gather to reflect on the sacred act of baptism, a profound symbol of our faith and commitment to God. Baptism is not merely a ritualistic cleansing with water, but a spiritual transformation—a journey of rebirth and renewal.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 6:4, 'We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.' Baptism represents our identification with Christ's death and resurrection, signifying our old self being buried and our new self being raised to walk in the light of Christ.

Just as water cleanses the body, baptism cleanses the soul, washing away sin and marking the beginning of a life dedicated to Christ.

As Peter declared in Acts 2:38, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' Through baptism, we receive the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, empowering us to live according to God's will.

Consider the imagery of Noah's ark in 1 Peter 3:21, where baptism is likened to the floodwaters that saved Noah and his family. Just as the ark provided salvation from the waters of judgment, so baptism provides salvation from the judgment of sin. It is a declaration of our trust in God's promise of redemption and our commitment to walk faithfully with Him.

Furthermore, baptism is a communal act, not to be undertaken alone. It is an initiation into the body of Christ, the Church, as Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 12:13: 'For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.' Baptism unites us with our fellow believers, forming a bond of fellowship and mutual support as we journey together in faith.

In conclusion, let us remember the profound significance of baptism—our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, the cleansing of sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and our incorporation into the body of Christ. May we embrace this sacrament with reverence and gratitude, and may it serve as a constant reminder of God's grace and our calling to live as His beloved children. Amen."

Frank Sauer

Personally, I don't use AI for Sermon Prep - but decided to compare Gemini - which said it was still learning and Copilot, along with ChatGPT. My prompt was - write a sermon on election using the bible, commentaries and church history

Certainly! Let us delve into the profound topic of election as revealed in the Bible, drawing insights from commentaries and church history. 🙏

Election: God’s Sovereign Choice

Introduction

The doctrine of election is both awe-inspiring and controversial. It speaks to God’s sovereignty in choosing His people for salvation. Throughout the history books of the Bible, we encounter instances where God’s elective purposes are evident. Let’s explore some of these moments.

1. Joshua: The Sovereign Conquest

In the book of Joshua, we witness God’s unwavering sovereignty. After a long war, no city was exempt from God’s judgment. Why? Because it was of the Lord to harden hearts and bring nations against Israel for their destruction. God’s purposes stand firm, whether for judgment or mercy. Just as God cursed Canaan (Genesis 9:25), He also showed mercy to Rahab’s family. Our God is both just and compassionate.

2. Judges: Weakness Turned Mighty

In Judges 7, Gideon’s story unfolds. God chose an unconventional army—300 fearful men—to defeat the mighty Midianites. Why? To ensure that Israel would not claim glory for themselves but recognize God’s power. His ways are not ours; He delights in using the weak to display His strength. Gideon’s trembling heart and the frightened Midianites reveal God’s glory. We, too, find our strength in weakness when we rely on Him.

3. Church History: God’s Unchanging Purpose

Throughout church history, theologians grappled with election. The Reformed view emphasizes God’s sovereignty, while Arminianism emphasizes human free will. But there’s another perspective—the Corporate-Vocational View. Ephesians 1:4-5 speaks of God choosing us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This corporate election emphasizes God’s purpose for His people collectively, not merely as isolated individuals. Our salvation is part of a grand design—a corporate body chosen for His glory.

Conclusion

Election remains a mystery, yet it reveals God’s character. As we study the Bible, consult commentaries, and reflect on church history, let us humbly embrace the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. May we find comfort in knowing that our salvation rests securely in His eternal plan. 🌟

Remember, dear congregation, we are chosen not because of our merit but because of His grace. Let us respond with gratitude, worship, and obedience. Amen! 🙌

References:

Faulkner, Bob. “Election In The History Books Of The Bible.” SermonCentral 1

Cortes, Dennis. “The Doctrine Of Election (Part 1).” SermonCentral 2

Sligh, Chuck. “The Elephant In The Room: Corporate-Vocational Election.” SermonCentral 3

Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary on John. “Understanding Election.” Bible Study Tools 4

Personal reflection. “What I Learned When I Preached the Doctrine of Election.” The Gospel Coalition 5

Learn more

1sermoncentral.com2sermoncentral.com3sermoncentral.com4biblestudytools.com5ca.thegospelcoalition.org

Title: Understanding Election: A Biblical Perspective

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, we gather to explore the profound concept of election as revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures, enriched by the wisdom of biblical commentaries and illuminated by the history of the Church. Election is a topic that has sparked much theological debate and contemplation throughout the centuries, yet its significance remains undeniable in shaping our understanding of God's sovereignty, grace, and the salvation of His chosen people.

Let us begin our journey by turning to the Word of God, the foundation upon which our faith rests. In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will" (Ephesians 1:4-5, NIV). Here, we encounter the divine mystery of election, wherein God, in His infinite wisdom and love, chose us before the foundation of the world to be recipients of His grace and to be adopted as His children through Jesus Christ.

This notion of election is further elucidated in the writings of the apostle Peter, who addresses the believers as "God's elect" (1 Peter 1:1, NIV), emphasizing their chosen status in God's redemptive plan. Additionally, Jesus Himself speaks of election when He declares, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last" (John 15:16, NIV). These passages underscore the sovereign initiative of God in selecting His people for salvation, underscoring that our election is not based on our own merits or actions, but on the gracious will of God.

As we delve deeper into the biblical text, we must also consider the insights offered by esteemed biblical commentators and theologians throughout history. The writings of Augustine of Hippo, often referred to as the father of Western theology, provide profound reflections on the doctrine of election. Augustine emphasized the sovereignty of God in salvation, asserting that God's election is not contingent upon human merit or foreseen faith, but is based solely on His sovereign grace. Similarly, the Protestant Reformers, such as John Calvin, further expounded upon the biblical doctrine of election, affirming the predestining work of God in the salvation of His chosen people.

However, it is essential to approach the doctrine of election with humility and reverence, recognizing that our finite minds cannot fully comprehend the depths of God's sovereignty and mercy. While the concept of election may seem perplexing to our human understanding, we must trust in the goodness and wisdom of God, who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).

Moreover, the history of the Church bears witness to the enduring truth of God's electing grace. Throughout the centuries, countless individuals have been transformed by the power of the gospel, testifying to the reality of God's sovereign choice in salvation. From the early martyrs who bore witness to their faith, to the reformers who boldly proclaimed the doctrines of grace, to the missionaries who carried the gospel to the ends of the earth, the story of God's elect spans across time and space, demonstrating the unchanging love and faithfulness of our heavenly Father.

In conclusion, as we reflect on the doctrine of election, let us be filled with awe and gratitude for the surpassing grace of God, who has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world. May we rest securely in the knowledge that our salvation is secure in the hands of our sovereign God, who works all things according to His divine purpose. And may we, as the elect of God, live lives that reflect the glory of our heavenly Father, proclaiming the good news of salvation to all the nations.

Amen.

Copilot gave the sources with links, so that could be another option for the resource information you're looking for - and so far no subscription required - FREE

Scott

I recommend Perplexity AI. It cites sources and has a lot of controls to focus or restrict your query. It was recommended to me by some power users in the field of research. There is a monthly or yearly subscription.

In all this AI + Christianity interaction, please be careful. There is no substitute for the role of the Holy Spirit in the process from begining to end. AI does not posess the Holy Spirit nor can AI devote itself to prayer and poring over the Word of God. Be careful that you don't become a lazy, prayerless preacher with a sermon out of alignment with the Holy Spirit. Plenty of resources in Logos on Homilectics warning about neglecting those things.

With that said, AI is powerful tool for research and I wish you wisdom and discernment and success in your endeavors therein.

1Cor10 31

I recommend Perplexity AI. It cites sources and has a lot of controls to focus or restrict your query. It was recommended to me by some power users in the field of research. There is a monthly or yearly subscription.

In all this AI + Christianity interaction, please be careful. There is no substitute for the role of the Holy Spirit in the process from begining to end. AI does not posess the Holy Spirit nor can AI devote itself to prayer and poring over the Word of God. Be careful that you don't become a lazy, prayerless preacher with a sermon out of alignment with the Holy Spirit. Plenty of resources in Logos on Homilectics warning about neglecting those things.

With that said, AI is powerful tool for research and I wish you wisdom and discernment and success in your endeavors therein.

Just curious...Is the Holy Spirit not powerful enough to let AI give you the right answers? When you go to your trusted Christian friend for guidance, is the Holy Spirit not involved?

Mark Groen

Here is what I do. I rarely follow what it gives me but it's a starting point to get my brain going.

First: I define who I am. I am Reformed and subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith. I am an ordained teaching elder. I serve in a congregation in a small, rural community in the upper midwest. (You get the idea).

My second prompt is to talk about the book I'm preaching through and anything important about my approach to the book.

Once this is set up I make a request such as this:
Please do the following:
Outline the passage for me.
Generate three main points for the sermon.
Generate three sermon illustrations for the passage.
Create five potential attention-grabbing sermon title suggestions.

I keep all of my prompts in a note in UpNote and continually edit them trying to get different results.

Again, I rarely ever use any of this info as it comes to me. Usually, the sermon title is a mix of two or three ideas. The main points rarely are what I use. The illustrations are pretty blah, but they are a springboard for where I'm going.

When I'm done with the sermon, I throw it into this same thread of work and have a prompt for writing a 60-word summary for me to use when I post the sermon to Farcebooks and YouTube. I also ask for three questions from the sermon to put below the summary.

I'm also playing with a prompt to give me five days of short devotions from the sermon, and that's going really well. I paid for a subscription to a service specifically to do some of that, but I realized they are just using prompts like I would, and the content can't be tailored to my particular approach in that sermon AI service. I'm better off creating the prompts myself instead of paying for a "prompt writer" who isn't me and can't be taught to match my particular context.

I hope this helps. I recommend that people play with prompts and experiment in ChatGPT itself before paying a lot of money to use a specialty sermon AI service. You will save money with a ChatGPT subscription and get better results by tailoring your prompts.

Feel free to contact me directly if you want some more specific examples or just want to process through ideas.

Edit: Just remembered (because I did it) another way I use ChatGPT. I keep my chat for the sermon open in a web browser as I work on the sermon. If I find that I'm using the same word too often I go to that chat and ask for synonyms of that word. Way faster than going to thesaurus.com or using a book.

Brandon Early

Super helpful my friend. And I agree, ChatGPT rarely gives home run “usable“ content, but it is an incredible brainstorming study partner. Thanks.