ChatGPT INTEGRATION PLEASE🔥🔥🔥

I hope Logos never integrates content-creating AI. Text produced by language models is not genuinely meaningful (there's a technical term for strings of words produced by non-thinking language models, but I'm embarrassed to use it). AI-produced content makes lazy people feel like they've learned something (or worse, produced something!). If I knew my pastor used AI to help him with sermon preparation or Bible study, I'd probably find another church (after encouraging him to gird up the loins of his mind and read and think for himself). 

On the other hand, if Logos used AI to perform complex time-intensive or computational-intensive tasks, like marking up data or assigning morphological analysis to words, which then got checked by a human, great!

[Y] +1

Never, Josua? But Logos already has a certain amount of AI technology in their algorithm. Like most of the devices we use. 

My only concern is the question about the morality? 

I came across Dr.Heiser warning on AI.

https://youtube.com/shorts/0Ov9PqmPeYE?si=V6BEOhSGeoQ0xUmQ

I want to point to this article(peer reviewed):

• Theological Foundations for Moral Artificial Intelligence by Mark Graves

I have been using ChatGPT since its release. I undertook a comprehensive course on how to "use" it and then subscribed to GPT-4.

I have designed a series of prompts I am using to see what I can do regarding all things biblical.

For those of you who have GPT-4 (v.3 is nowhere near as good), here is a prompt I designed for analysing narrative in the bible - just insert the passage under section D, and leave the <big idea> section blank (for ChatGPT to complete) or complete yourself. If this is of interest to anyone I'm happy to share more prompts:

Narration and Storytelling in Biblical Preaching

Key Elements

A. Prompt Objectives

Here is are the objectives of the prompt:

• Analyse and write about a biblical narrative <passage> in an insightful and thought-provoking way.
• Identify and discuss the elements of the <passage>, such as plot structure, characters, and key themes.
• Connect the narrative to modern-day experiences, making it relevant and impactful for contemporary believers.
• Use the insights from the biblical narrative <passage> to deliver powerful narrative based sermons.
• Identify universal human experiences and emotions in the <passage> and think about how they relate to experiences and feelings that people commonly have today.
• Use analogies and metaphors to bridge the gap between the biblical world and the modern world.
• Draw parallels with current events or societal issues to help make the biblical story feel more immediate and relevant. However, be careful to ensure that your interpretations remain faithful to the original context and message of the biblical text.

B. Prompt Instructions

To achieve the objectives, follow these instructions:

• Write in vivid, memorable, and engaging language, using contractions where appropriate.
• Focus on creating an immersive and gripping narrative experience by incorporating sensory details, evoking emotions, and building suspense and anticipation for a more immersive and engaging reader experience.
• Use powerful analogies, metaphors and other memorable linguistic techniques to make the story relevant and relatable to the reader.
• Support assertions related to the passage with biblical citations enclosed in round brackets. When citing from the same book as the <passage>, omit the book name and only include the chapter and verse(s), for example, (4:4-6). For any citations outwith the book of the <passage>, use abbreviated citations e.g. Ps 1:1.
• Each section should contains distinct information and, if possible, provide alternative insights instead of repeating previously mentioned information.
• For each section of the output, ensure that you stick to the <passage> when breaking down the narrative instead of the entire chapter.
• In each section of the output, strive to 'show, don't tell' by using sensory details and evocative language to immerse the reader in the narrative.

C. Prompt Definitions

Here are the definitions to be used in the prompt:

1. Introduction: Sum up the historical, cultural, and sociopolitical factors that shaped the narrative, using vivid descriptions to immerse the reader in the context. Explain how these factors influenced the customs, beliefs, and values in the story, emphasising their impact on the narrative and its intended message. Use sensory details and evocative language to create a vivid picture of the setting and context.
2. Key Elements: Detail the story, incorporating the significant elements and narrative structure: Setting the Scene, Struggle, Turning Point, Resolution and Takeaway. Use vivid language, sensory details, and emotive storytelling to captivate your audience, incorporating reflective and rhetorical questions, as well as analogies and metaphors, to provoke deeper thinking and personal connections.

• a. Setting the Scene: Introduce the main characters and how God interacts with them, the context of the story, the main characters background, the context of the story highlighting key challenges or circumstances they face. Use vivid language, sensory details, and rhetorical questions to make the setting more engaging and relatable.
• b. Struggle: Describe the internal or external conflicts, physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges faced by the main characters and their initial responses and use powerful language, contrasts, and metaphors to emphasise the intensity and significance of the conflict or struggle and its role in shaping the character's journey.
• c. Turning Point: Identify a crucial moment in the story where the main characters make a significant decision, experience a change of heart, or encounter divine intervention that alters the course of events. Use suspense, anticipation, and evocative imagery to create a dramatic and impactful turning point that captures the reader's attention.
• d. Resolution: Describe how the main characters overcome adversity or challenges, or achieve their goals, demonstrating the transformative power of faith, hope, or love. Use cause and effect, before-and-after comparisons, and parallelism to showcase the transformation in the character's life, employing emotive language to inspire reflection and application.
• e. Takeaway: Summarise the main lesson or message from the story that can be applied to a contemporary audience's lives. Use questions, imperatives, and inclusive language to make the takeaway relatable, actionable, and thought-provoking.

3. Title: Following the section title and biblical citation write a <title> that reflects the narrative progression in the light of the big idea that is captivating, thought-provoking, gripping, memorable and engaging.
4. Big Idea: To find the Big Idea in a biblical passage, first read the passage thoroughly and identify the main topic that dominates the passage. Next, formulate a subject question that includes the main topic and begins with one of the interrogatives (who, what, where, when, why, or how), making sure not to include the word "and." Then, identify the complement, which consists of the answer(s) to the subject question. Finally, combine the subject and complement to derive the Big Idea, which encapsulates the central message or theme of the passage. This process will help ensure that your interpretation remains faithful to the text's original context and meaning while remaining relevant to a modern audience.

D. Passage and Big Idea

Here is the biblical narrative passage of the prompt an the big idea of the passage:

<passage> = Numbers 16:1-50

<big idea> = The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram

E. Prompt Output

Here is the biblical output for the prompt (execute the prompt using vivid language, evocative imagery, and powerful storytelling techniques and ensure all the prompt headings are in bold and sub-header italicised):

**Narration and Storytelling in Biblical Preaching - Key Elements**

**Passage:**

**Main Topic:**

**Big Idea:**

**Introduction**

**Key Elements**

*a. Setting the Scene (cite the passage e.g. 12:1): <title>*

*b. Struggle (cite the passage e.g. 12:2-4): <title>*

*c. Turning Point (cite the passage e.g. 12:5-8): <title>*

*d. Resolution (cite the passage e.g. 12:9-12): <title>*

*e. Takeaway*

For each of the sections a-e, remember to incorporate sensory details and evocative imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Use 'show, don't tell' techniques to make the narrative more immersive and engaging.

This is what I like to call a “brainstorming” prompt.  

Thanks Mark.  

Thanks all.

Here is a prompt to craft sermon titles and three main points by focusing on the ‘big idea’ of a biblical passage. I created this just to see the possibilities of GPT-4.

I have created quite an extensive number of other formulas for creating ‘nifty‘ sermon titles and main points (although I haven’t actually used any of these in preaching). Am just exploring and playing around to see what it can do.

Out of interest I began by asking ChatGPT 4 to analyse the main points of one of my sermons. I asked it to reverse-engineer it into a formula that I could use to replicate the same ‘rhetorical feel’.

Exegetical Sermon Points Prompt

A. Prompt Objectives

Here is are the objectives of the prompt:

• Craft captivating, memorable, and engaging sermon points from a biblical <passage> using specific formulas.
• Develop three interconnected sermon point sentences based on the <passage>’s <big idea>, <complement>, and <main topic>.
• Frame sermon points positively, addressing incorrect behaviours, attitudes, or thinking while highlighting the positive alternative.

B. Prompt Instructions

To achieve the objectives, follow these instructions:

• Write using vivid, memorable, engaging, captivating, thought-provoking, gripping language that evokes emotions and encourages deeper thinking.
• Create immersive and gripping sermon points by incorporating sensory details, evoking emotions, and building suspense and anticipation.
• Use rhyme, alliteration, metaphor and other memorable linguistic techniques to reinforce meaning and make the sermon points impactful as a whole.
• Provide abbreviated biblical citations in italics and within a single set of round brackets for each sermon point. Start with the specific verse(s) from the passage, followed immediately by at least one relevant New Testament citation (ensure all citations are within the same set of round brackets and italicized).
• Write sermon points for a comprehension age of 15 years old, incorporating contractions throughout.
• Ensure a cohesive flow between sermon points, connecting each one to the big idea.
• Remove all “<” and “>” symbols in the final output.

C. Prompt Definitions

Here are the definitions to be used in the prompt:

Alliteration: Repeat the same initial consonant sound in a sequence of words or syllables causing a rhythmic effect by emphasising certain words or ideas.

Action verb: For each letter of the acronym, select a memorable action verb that starts with the corresponding letter (e.g., Forgiving, Adapting, Interpreting, Trusting, Harmonising).

Alliterative Adjective: Choose an adjective that describes a quality or trait of the person/group, beginning with the same letter as the person/group for alliteration.

Alliterative Verb Phrase with Rhyming Positive Meaning: Highlight the action they took instead, emphasising their perseverance or determination, using a verb phrase that rhymes with the negative verb phrase and maintains alliteration.

Biblical figure or group: In a biblical passage, an important group, such as Israel, Moab, The Priests, The Levites, or a notable character like Moses, David, or Jesus.

Biblical figure and theme: Briefly mention the biblical figure and the central theme of their story (e.g., Joseph's journey of faith, Peter's unwavering hope, Jesus' unconditional love).

Big Idea: To find the Big Idea in a biblical passage, first read the passage thoroughly and identify the main topic that dominates the passage. Next, formulate a subject question that includes the main topic and begins with one of the interrogatives (who, what, where, when, why, or how), making sure not to include the word "and." Then, identify the complement, which consists of the answer(s) to the subject question. Finally, combine the subject and complement to derive the Big Idea, which encapsulates the central message or theme of the passage. This process will help ensure that your interpretation remains faithful to the text's original context and meaning while remaining relevant to a modern audience.

Character trait or aspect: A distinguishing quality or characteristic of a biblical figure's personality, actions, or role in the story. These traits can be positive (like faith or bravery) or negative (such as arrogance or dishonesty), providing important understanding of the character's personality and reasons behind their actions.

Cause: The event, action or circumstance that leads to or prompts a particular outcome or effect. In the context of the formulas, the cause relates to a biblical figure's character trait or theme.

Direct Object: A direct object is a noun or pronoun that receives the action of a transitive verb, indicating who or what is directly affected by the action. It typically follows the verb in a sentence and answers the question "what?" or "whom?" in relation to the verb.

Effect: The consequence or result of a cause. The effect highlights the impact of a biblical figure's trait, action or theme on the story or other characters.

Focus descriptor: A statement providing context for a trait or theme. It helps the audience understand a specific aspect of the biblical figure’s personality, actions or motivations. For example, He looks around, He looks up, He looks ahead, He confronts, She clings, He endures, He embraces, She adapts, He relies. Incorporate contractions, literary devices, and rhetorical devices like rhyme, alliteration, and metaphor to reinforce meaning and make the messages impactful.

Focus of the stage: A brief description of the focus or perspective taken in that stage (e.g., looking around at the wicked, looking up to the Lord, looking ahead to the future).

Focus Verb in the present tense: A carefully chosen action word, expressed as occurring in the present time, that highlights and emphasises the main message or theme of a sermon, making it relatable and engaging for listeners. For example, using "serve" in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) underscores the theme of selflessness and compassion, while "trust" in the narrative of Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41) emphasises the importance of faith during difficult times.

Gerund Phrase: A gerund phrase is a phrase that begins with a gerund, which is a verb ending in "-ing" that functions as a noun. The gerund phrase often includes other words, such as direct objects, adjectives, or adverbs, that provide additional information about the action or state being described.

Negative Action: Mention an action they refused to take or a challenge they faced.

Pivotal moment: A significant event that serves as a turning point in a biblical story. Pivotal moments often involve decisions, actions or revelations that change the direction of the story or a character's fate.

Noun: A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. It functions as the subject or object of a verb in a sentence and can also be used to indicate possession or attributes.

Object: Describe the recipient, object, person, or context related to the focus verb.

Outcome or Benefit: Explain the result, consequence, or advantage of engaging in the focus verb action.

Positive Action: Highlight the action they took instead, emphasising their perseverance or determination.

Prepositional Phrase: A group of words beginning with a preposition that offers additional information about the main focus of a sermon point, helping to clarify and enrich the message. Examples include: "amidst spiritual battles," "in God's presence," "toward a hopeful future," "during times of crisis," "within family relationships," "through trials and tribulations," "overcoming envy and jealousy," "facing life's obstacles," "in times of uncertainty," "while persevering," and "against all odds."

Pronoun: A word such as "He," "She," or "They," used to represent the biblical figure.

Rhyming verb phrase: A pair of verbs that rhyme to create a memorable phrase emphasising a theme or trait in a poetic manner. For example, "fails to falter, forges forward." Rhyme reinforces meaning.

Reaction descriptor: A statement describing the outcome or impact resulting from a biblical figure's trait or action. It highlights how the character's decisions or behaviour affected the story or other characters.

Sermon Title: Write a colon title with a dramatic main title followed by a clarifying subtitle (<sermon title>), for example: Budding Authority: Aaron's God-Ordained Leadership. Use captivating, thought-provoking, gripping, memorable and engaging language and ensure <sermon title> is directly related to and perfectly suited to the sermon points. Use rhyme, alliteration, metaphor and other memorable linguistic techniques to reinforce meaning and make sermon title impactful.

Statement of truth: Start with a brief, striking statement that communicates a core truth or concept (for example, Faith ignites, Hope secures, Love triumphs).

Statement of truth: Start with a brief, striking statement that communicates a core truth or concept (for example, Faith ignites, Hope secures, Love triumphs).

Theme Development: The exploration and growth of a theme in a story or passage, concentrating on how a specific trait, situation, or conflict evolves and change.

Theme Progression: The series of events and stages in a story that help build a theme. This aspect focuses on how a theme changes and grows throughout the narrative, allowing the audience to better understand the message or lesson being shared.

Verb phrase: Add a verb that indicates the progression or development of the main theme in the present tense (e.g., is tested, remains unshaken, is rewarded).

Verb in Gerund Form with Rhyming Positive Meaning: Highlight the action they took instead, emphasising their perseverance or determination, using a verb in gerund form that rhymes with the negative verb.

D. Passage and Big Idea

Here is the biblical narrative passage of the prompt an the big idea of the passage:

<passage> = Numbers 16:1-50

<big idea> = The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and the consequences of challenging God's chosen leaders

E. Prompt Output

Here is the biblical output for the prompt (execute the prompt using vivid language, evocative imagery, and powerful storytelling techniques and ensure all the prompt headings are in bold and sub-header italicised):

**Exegetical Sermon Points - Part 1**

**Passage:** 

**Main Topic:**

**Big Idea:**

**1. <Sermon Title>**

1. {Biblical figure or group}’s {Character trait or aspect}: {Pronoun} {Theme development} - {Focus of the stage}
2. {Biblical figure or group}’s {Character trait or aspect}: {Pronoun} {Theme development} - {Focus of the stage}
3. {Biblical figure or group}’s {Character trait or aspect}: {Pronoun} {Theme development} - {Focus of the stage}

**2. <Sermon Title>**

1. {Biblical figure or group}'s {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase}: {Pronoun} {Focus descriptor} {Prepositional phrase}
2. {Biblical figure or group}'s {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase}: {Pronoun} {Focus descriptor} {Prepositional phrase}
3. {Biblical figure or group}'s {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase}: {Pronoun} {Focus descriptor} {Prepositional phrase}

**3. <Sermon Title>**

1. {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase} {Prepositional phrase} {Focus of the stage}: {Biblical figure or group} {Focus verb in present tense} {Focus of the stage}
2. {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase} {Prepositional phrase} {Focus of the stage}: {Biblical figure or group} {Focus verb in present tense} {Focus of the stage}
3. {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase} {Prepositional phrase} {Focus of the stage}: {Biblical figure or group} {Focus verb in present tense} {Focus of the stage}

**4. <Sermon Title>**

1. {Biblical figure or group}’s {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase} {Prepositional phrase} {Focus of the stage}: {Pronoun} {Focus verb in present tense} {Focus of the stage}
2. {Biblical figure or group}’s {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase} {Prepositional phrase} {Focus of the stage}: {Pronoun} {Focus verb in present tense} {Focus of the stage}
3. {Biblical figure or group}’s {Character trait or aspect} {Verb phrase} {Prepositional phrase} {Focus of the stage}: {Pronoun} {Focus verb in present tense} {Focus of the stage}

**5. <Sermon Title>**

1. {Statement of truth} {Biblical figure or group}'s {Alliteration} {Pronoun} {Focus descriptor} {Prepositional phrase}
2. {Statement of truth} {Biblical figure or group}'s {Alliteration}: {Pronoun} {Focus descriptor} {Prepositional phrase}
3. {Statement of truth} {Biblical figure or group}'s {Alliteration}: {Pronoun} {Focus descriptor} {Prepositional phrase}

Here is the output from GPT-4:

Exegetical Sermon Points Prompt

Passage: Numbers 16:1-50
Main Topic: Rebellion against God’s Leaders
Big Idea: The rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and the consequences of challenging God’s chosen leaders.

Rebellion’s Ruin: The Dangers and Downfall of Defiance

1. Korah’s Pride: He sparks rebellion - Igniting Fires of Defiance
2. Dathan’s Discontent: He fuels unrest - Spreading Flames of Discord
3. Abiram’s Anger: He fans the conflict - Engulfing the Camp in Chaos

Humility’s Harvest: Sowing Submission, Reaping Reverence

1. Moses’s Meekness diffuses: He stands calm amidst spiritual storms
2. Aaron’s Obedience guards: He remains steadfast under heavens’ gaze
3. God’s Authority reigns: He adjudicates with divine discernment amidst rebellion’s ruins

Judgment’s Journey: From Silent Earth to Sacred Incense

1. Earth’s Open Mouth swallows the wicked: Korah is submerged under divine decree
2. Fire’s Holy Blaze purifies the scene: Incense rises in solemn surrender
3. Plague’s Swift Hand takes the irreverent: Judgment sweeps through rebellious ranks

Intercession’s Impact: Aaron’s Stand between Life and Death

1. Aaron’s Promptness rushes with censer in hand: He intervenes amidst unfolding death
2. Moses’s Plea reaches heaven’s ears: He implores for mercy upon the faltering
3. God’s Mercy is kindled amidst wrath’s fires: The plague is stilled, and life is spared

Leadership’s Legacy: Authority Ordained, Reverence Gained

1. With Faith Firm, Moses’s Steadfastness: He guides with wisdom amidst mutiny
2. Under Grace’s Mantle, Aaron’s Humility: He serves with quiet strength under pressure
3. Through Judgment’s Lens, God’s Sovereignty: He oversees with unerring justice amidst chaos

I tried the first prompt with your passage in Numbers 16:1-50. 

Prompt input:

Craft captivating, memorable, and engaging sermon points from a biblical <Numbers 16:1-50> using specific formulas. Develop three interconnected sermon point sentences based on the <Numbers 16:1-50>’s , , and . Frame sermon points positively, addressing incorrect behaviours, attitudes, or thinking while highlighting the positive alternative.

Prompt Output

Big idea: Rebellion against God's chosen leaders leads to severe consequences. Complement: A humble and obedient heart fosters unity, respect, and blessings. Main topic: The destructive consequences of Korah's rebellion and the power of humility and obedience.

Sermon point 1: "Avoid the allure of rebellion: Embrace the power of humility and obedience." Explanation: Instead of being enticed by the allure of questioning authority or causing discord, we should strive to humble ourselves before God and submit to those He has placed in positions of leadership. By doing so, we can experience the blessings and unity that come from obedience.

Sermon point 2: "The danger of seeking self-exaltation: Choose humility to foster respect and unity." Explanation: When we focus on exalting ourselves and seeking our own glory, we not only disregard God's authority but create division and discontentment among the people around us. By choosing humility, we demonstrate respect for God and others, fostering unity and harmony within our community.

Sermon point 3: "The redemptive power of obedience: Step away from rebellion and embrace God's blessings." Explanation: Through the narrative of Korah's rebellion, we learn that disobedience and rebellion against God's chosen leaders result in severe consequences. However, by choosing obedience, we can step away from rebellion and open ourselves to the abundance of blessings that God desires to pour out upon us.

Overall, these sermon points focus on the negative consequences of rebellion while emphasizing the positive alternatives of humility, obedience, unity, respect, and blessings. By framing the sermon points positively, we encourage the congregation to make better choices and align themselves with God's plan for their lives.