Exploring ChatGPT from Openai for church

Today I received an article in my email inbox titled, "5 insanely practical ways for churches to use AI." That is ironic because I was going to try to use the most popular AI, called ChatGPT to write this week's E-News article.  ChatGPT is self-defined as "an AI-powered language model developed by OpenAI, capable of generating human-like text based on context and past conversations."

ChatGPT can literally carry on a conversation with you, teach you a new language, write copy for advertising, summarize an article for you, and so much more. Its capabilities are just now being discovered as more companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Adobe incorporate it into their products. 

So, just for fun, let's see how ChatGPT does in helping write this E-News article. I'll type in what is called a "prompt" and will share with you what the response is. 

My Prompt: "What Bible passage should we look at for a weekly e-news article?"

ChatGTP Response: For a weekly e-news article, you may consider exploring various Bible passages based on the theme or topic you want to address. Here are a few suggestions for popular themes:

• Hope and Encouragement: Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
• Faith and Trust: Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
• Love and Compassion: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
• Wisdom and Guidance: James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
• Gratitude and Thankfulness: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

My Prompt: "Could you elaborate on #1?"

ChatGTP Response: Certainly! Let's delve deeper into Romans 15:13, which is a powerful verse that conveys a message of hope and encouragement. Here's an elaboration on this passage:

Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

In this verse, the apostle Paul addresses the believers in Rome, expressing his desire that they experience the fullness of hope, joy, and peace through their trust in God. Let's break it down further:

• "God of hope": This phrase emphasizes God's nature as the source and embodiment of hope. It signifies that God is the ultimate foundation and provider of hope in our lives."
• Fill you with all joy and peace": Here, Paul expresses his wish that God's abundant joy and deep peace would permeate the lives of the believers. It highlights the transformative power of God's presence, which brings inner contentment and tranquility."
• As you trust in him": Trusting in God is essential for experiencing the fullness of joy, peace, and hope. It involves surrendering our worries, fears, and uncertainties to God, relying on His faithfulness and promises."
• So that you may overflow with hope": Through trusting in God, believers can experience an overflow of hope. This surpassing hope goes beyond mere optimism or wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation and assurance in God's promises and purposes, even in the midst of challenges and difficulties."
• By the power of the Holy Spirit": The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in the believers' lives, empowering and enabling them to experience the abundant hope, joy, and peace that God provides. The Holy Spirit works within individuals, guiding, comforting, and transforming them.

In summary, Romans 15:13 encapsulates a prayerful desire for believers to be filled with hope, joy, and peace through their trust in God, leading to an overflow of hope in their lives. It reminds us that our hope comes from God, and as we rely on Him, He empowers us through the Holy Spirit to experience a deep sense of joy, peace, and hope in all circumstances.

My Prompt: "How can I apply Romans 15:13 to my everyday life?"

ChatGPT Response: Applying Romans 15:13 to your everyday life involves incorporating its message of hope, joy, and peace into your thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Here are a few practical ways to apply this verse:

• Cultivate a mindset of hope: Remind yourself regularly that God is the source of hope. When faced with challenges or uncertainties, choose to trust in His promises and His faithfulness. Fill your mind with positive and uplifting thoughts that align with God's Word.
• Seek joy and peace through God: Make it a priority to spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, seeking God's presence and guidance. As you deepen your relationship with Him, you'll experience His joy and peace that surpasses understanding. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, transforming your thoughts and emotions.
• Practice gratitude: Develop a habit of gratitude by intentionally focusing on the blessings in your life. Express thankfulness to God for His goodness, provision, and the people around you. Gratitude helps cultivate a positive outlook and enhances your experience of joy and peace.
• Trust in God's sovereignty: When faced with challenges or uncertainties, surrender your worries and anxieties to God. Trust that He is in control and has a purpose for everything you encounter. Choose to rely on His wisdom and guidance, even when circumstances may seem difficult.
• Share hope with others: As you experience the hope, joy, and peace that God provides, extend it to others. Encourage and uplift those around you who may be going through challenging times. Share your testimony and the ways God has worked in your life to inspire and bring hope to others.
• Reflect God's hope in your actions: Let the hope you have in Christ shine through your actions and interactions with others. Be a source of encouragement, compassion, and support to those in need. Reflect God's love and grace in your relationships, demonstrating the transformative power of hope.

Remember that applying Romans 15:13 is an ongoing process that requires intentional effort and reliance on God's strength. By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can experience the fullness of hope, joy, and peace that God desires for you.

I'm blown away by what ChatGPT can produce. And it does so in seconds. This is definitely one way of using it in the church. Now, I'm going to read that article and see what ways it suggests to use AI in the church, which I've come to learn, was written by ChatGPT too!

Faith in action - The Sheep and the Goats

The Sheep and the Goats - Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus tells a parable in the gospel of Matthew about Judgment Day when all the nations will be gathered before him. He says this will happen when the "Son of Man" returns to the earth. In essence, He is saying, "Ok. Time's up. Game's over. Let's see how we did." 

The King, Jesus, proceeds to separate all the people from every tribe, tongue, and nation into two groups. One, the "sheep" or the righteous, are the good group. And the other, the "goats", are the bad group. His criteria for dividing the groups is interesting. It isn't based on talent, status, or finances, but rather based on how people responded to those in society that were the least, the lowest, and the weakest. 

King Jesus addresses those on His right and says, I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison and you cared for me. You met my needs. You took me in. You visited me. Looking at the King, the righteous ask when they would have done that for Him. 

To their amazement, Jesus answers them with words that transcend our understanding, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."And then He added, "Enter into your heavenly rest." 

Then He says to those on His left, the goats, I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison and you did nothing for me. Again the question is, when? After all, we wouldn't have passed you by, Jesus. His response was, "I tell you, whatever you failed to do for one of the least of my brothers of mine, you failed to do for me. Depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." 

The righteous will go on to eternal life; but the complacent, into eternal punishment. 

This is the only description of judgment day that we have in scripture. Does it jive with other teaching in the Bible? Yes, I think so. 

James, the brother of Jesus writes about a deedless faith in 2:14 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" 

Paul writes in his letter to the Galatian church that a Christian living by the Spirit of God will demonstrate "Fruits" of the faith. Namely, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). These "Fruits of the Spirit" are best displayed through acts of kindness such as caring for the least of these. Those who cannot easily care for themselves. 

How do we care for those around us who need it?

• See them - We don't live in a culture where we "see" each other very well. You can go through your entire day and never "see" another person even though they are all around you. But simply observing someone, and watching what are they doing, where they are going, their facial expressions, etc, will give you hints about their condition. Strike up a conversation. Get to know them and their life.  
• The needs are visible. It's written on their face, it's in their voice. Nakedness, sickness, and being in prison are all very visible conditions. As you observe people, you will notice their needs. Chat with them and take an interest in them and what they value. It's likely they will share their needs with you once they feel comfortable with you.
• Ask if you can help. Be humble. Be kind. If you can meet a need, ask the person if they are open to receiving your help. Some may say, "Thank you, but I'm okay." Even if that is their response, you can leave the door open by saying something like, "Well, if you ever need something, let me know."

If you will look and SEE people, their needs will become visible to you. Ask if you can help and see the incarnate Jesus in them by serving them.