AI Generated Easter Service: A Data Driven Sermon!

From a simple challenge to my kids to build something with ChatGPT to creating a complete AI generated Easter Service. Just a normal Monday. You’ll see a complete 30 minute sermon, a complimentary worship setlist, a custom worship song, Facebook post, a slideshow outline, and even some marketing tactics.

All generated by GPT4. Buckle up.

This morning I challenged my kids to create something, anything, either fun and silly or something of even minute value by using AI. Or ChatGPT. We quickly googled up how to create Roblox games while my daughter asked ChatGPT how to bypass the paywall of ChatGPT and to get the technology for free.

She has both, impressed and scared me by her very first thought on how to use ChatGPT.

Once the kids were off to research their project for the week, my first thought was “Can ChatGPT write a sermon”. This quickly transpired into something a bit larger, and darker.

Instead of just writing a sermon, could we make it a Data Driven Message? Could we write a sermon that has the best outcome? Here are the questions I had and the progression.

1. Can you write an Easter sermon
2. What types of Easter sermons convert the most Christians
3. Write a high converting Easter sermon for a non denominational church
4. Can you write an Easter sermon that is the most effective
5. Add bible verses that have the highest rate of converting non believers into Christians
6. Suggest the 4 most hyped up Easter worship songs that are very emotional
7. Write a custom worship song about redemption and Easter

One note before we continue. This is just an experiment.

The goal was to see if AI could be misused into creating hype, high emotion, and using marketing gimmicks to create sermons that could be measured over time on their effectiveness. And, could it be data driven.

Could AI treat a sermon like any marketing campaign that is measured by conversions? Could it write “The Best High Converting Easter Sermon“

Here are my prompts along with the answers. I used GPT 4 and the answers are in orange with my comments and notes in black.

Cite some data for best converting easter sermons

It is challenging to provide specific data on the most effective Easter sermons for converting people to Christianity, as conversion is a deeply personal and multifaceted experience. Many factors can contribute to an individual’s decision to convert, such as personal circumstances, spiritual experiences, or relationships with other believers.

Moreover, religious conversion is not typically measured by quantifiable data, as it involves a personal relationship with God, a change of heart, and a commitment to live according to one’s faith.

However, some common elements can be found in effective sermons that resonate with people and may contribute to conversions:

1. Clear presentation of the Gospel: A sermon that clearly communicates the central message of Christianity – the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – can be powerful in leading people to conversion.
2. Emotional connection: Sermons that evoke emotions, such as love, hope, and gratitude, can create a deep connection between the listeners and the message, making it more likely that they will consider the implications of the sermon for their own lives.
3. Personal stories and testimonies: Sharing personal experiences of faith and transformation can help listeners relate to the message and envision the potential impact of a relationship with Jesus in their own lives.
4. An invitation to respond: Effective sermons often include an invitation to respond to the message, whether through prayer, commitment, or a public altar call, giving people an opportunity to take the first step in their journey of faith.

While it is impossible to pinpoint specific sermons or sermon elements that guarantee conversion, these factors can contribute to engaging sermons that inspire listeners to consider the Christian faith and the message of Easter.

Related blog: Why multitracks is bad for Sunday worship.

Okay, fair enough. To set the stage, GPT 4 is clear that there is no hard data or metrics to point to. But it did cite some common denominators. Nothing new. But it’s some template. It says a certain format “resonates with most people” but there’s nothing to back it up or validate that statement.

What bible verses have converted more non Christians into Christians?

While it is difficult to determine which specific Bible verses have led to the most conversions, there are several verses that are often cited as particularly influential in converting non-Christians to Christianity. These verses highlight central tenets of the Christian faith and the transformative power of God’s grace and love:

1. John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Romans 10:9 – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
3. Acts 2:38 – “Peter replied, ‘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.'”
4. Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
5. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

These verses convey essential Christian messages, such as God’s love and the offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. It is important to remember that conversion is a deeply personal experience, and different people may be drawn to different aspects of Christianity or specific passages in the Bible.

Okay. So, there’s no data on “best converting verses”. As in, in the history of preaching, when people gave their life to Jesus, these verses were mentioned. For those in marketing, the terms “first touch” or “last touch conversion”. The assumption was that if there were the most common either first or last touch verses.

I know, this experiment sounds worse, as you dig in.

On to the next question. I’ve learnt a great word a while back. Finitiative. Take initiative and finish it. So, I’ll see this experiment through.

Write a 30 minute Easter sermon that is emotional in the style of a non denominational church

Title: “A New Beginning: The Power of Resurrection”

Introduction: Dear brothers and sisters, as we gather together on this blessed Easter morning, let us rejoice and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Today, we come together to remember the life, death, and resurrection of the One who conquered sin and death, and who offers us new life, hope, and a fresh start.

On this joyous day, let us open our hearts and minds to the transformative power of Christ’s love and the message of the empty tomb. Let us explore the story of Easter and the impact it has on our lives.

I. The Story of Easter

In the days leading up to the first Easter, Jesus endured betrayal, mockery, and a torturous death on the cross. He carried the weight of the world’s sins upon His shoulders, sacrificing Himself for our salvation.

On that fateful Friday, as darkness covered the land and Jesus breathed His last breath, it seemed as though all hope was lost. But God’s love would not be defeated, and the story did not end there.

Three days later, on the first Easter morning, the stone rolled away from the tomb, and Jesus rose, triumphant over death. The women who came to anoint His body found an empty tomb, and an angel announced the good news: “He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” (Matthew 28:6)

II. The Meaning of Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It signifies that death is not the end, and that there is hope beyond the grave. Through His resurrection, Jesus demonstrated the power of God’s love to overcome the darkest of circumstances and to bring new life where there was once only despair.

The resurrection is not just about life after death; it is about the transformation and renewal of our lives here and now. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are made new – our sins are forgiven, and we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

III. A New Beginning

As we celebrate the resurrection, we must also embrace the new beginning it offers each one of us. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we too can rise above our past mistakes, our sins, and our brokenness.

Easter is a reminder that we are never too far gone for God’s redeeming love. No matter what we have done, no matter the depth of our despair, there is hope for forgiveness, healing, and a fresh start through Jesus Christ.

IV. The Power of God’s Love

The love that brought Jesus back from the dead is the same love that can transform our lives today. It is a love that knows no boundaries, a love that reaches beyond our deepest pain and darkest secrets.

God’s love is patient and kind, it does not envy or boast, it is not proud or rude, it is not self-seeking, it keeps no record of wrongs, and it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

When we experience the depth of God’s love, we are compelled to share it with others. Let us be agents of God’s love, bringing hope and healing to a world in need.

V. An Invitation to New Life

As we conclude this Easter sermon, let us extend an invitation to all those who have not yet experienced the life-changing power of the resurrection. If you are feeling lost or broken, if you are searching for purpose and meaning in life, the risen Christ offers you a new beginning.

He stands at the door of your heart, waiting for you to invite Him in. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in.

Okay. Bland. But anyone with charisma could spice that up easily.

Did you know, Open Bible offers AI generated sermons as a real service? Is this the future? How would you feel if your pastor got his message by plugging in a few key points into a formula?

What message is complete if there’s no funny anecdote?

Write a funny anecdote to share during an Easter sermon

During an Easter sermon, I might share an amusing anecdote like this:

A Sunday School teacher wanted to make sure her young students understood the meaning of Easter, so she decided to test their knowledge with a creative activity.

She handed each child a plastic egg and instructed them to go outside, find something that symbolized new life, and place it inside their egg. The children excitedly ran off to complete their task, and soon they returned with their eggs filled with various items.

As they gathered around, the teacher began to open each egg, one by one. The first egg contained a beautiful flower – a clear symbol of new life. The second egg revealed a tiny green leaf, representing the rebirth of nature in the springtime.

Finally, she opened the third egg, only to find that it was empty. Puzzled, she asked the child who brought it, “Why is your egg empty?” The little boy smiled and confidently replied, “Because the tomb was empty on Easter morning!”

The teacher couldn’t help but laugh, impressed by the young boy’s wisdom. It just goes to show that sometimes, even the simplest of lessons can come from the most unexpected sources!

Next prompt, an altar call. After all, we’ve got to collect conversion metrics, right?

Write a 30 second, very compelling, altar call.

My dear friends, there is a life-changing power waiting to embrace you right now. Jesus, our risen Savior, longs to heal your brokenness, transform your heart, and give you a life full of purpose and joy. If you’re ready to answer His call, please come forward to the altar without hesitation. Don’t miss this moment of grace! Together, we will pray for the love, forgiveness, and new beginning that only Christ can give. Step into the light of His love and let your life be forever changed by His resurrection power.

Okay, what about some worship? How can we keep set the stage with “hype” and “emotion” with the right song choice. On to the next prompt.

Suggest 4 hyped up Christian songs for Easter that are very emotional

1. “Alive” by Hillsong Young & Free: With its energetic and celebratory sound, this song rejoices in the resurrection of Jesus and the new life it brings to all who believe.
2. “Glorious Day” by Passion (feat. Kristian Stanfill): This anthemic song tells the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, emphasizing the hope and freedom found in the risen Christ.
3. “Resurrecting” by Elevation Worship: This powerful song highlights the victory of Jesus over sin and death, and it reminds us of the transformative power of the resurrection in our own lives.
4. “Forever” by Kari Jobe: This moving song is a declaration of praise to the risen King, celebrating the victory and eternal love of Jesus Christ, who conquered the grave.

These songs capture the emotions and significance of Easter, allowing worshippers to deeply connect with the message of Christ’s resurrection and the hope it brings to the world.

Now that ChatGPT knows we’re after hype, emotion, and conversion, could it write a song that guarantees this?

In this prompt, I had to go even more extreme. This is the spotlight song. Imagine a mega church, the hall seating 5000 people goes dark. The spotlight is on one thing (no, not the cross or Jesus), the singer.

I agree, this prompt did make my cringe a bit. But I wanted to turn up the emotional factor, so I added the word “cry”. Surely, this anthemic banger would sell if it tugged at the heart strings.

Write an emotional Easter worship song that will make people cry.

Verse 1
In the shadow of the cross, You suffered,
Lord Bearing all our sin and shame, the weight of the world
With each nail and every thorn, our hope was torn
But in the darkest hour, Your love endured

Chorus
Hallelujah, our Savior is alive
Risen from the grave, He conquered death and sin
Hallelujah, we’ll sing forevermore
For the love that saved us, a love that never ends

Verse 2
Through the tomb of deepest sorrow, light broke through
In the silence of the dawn, a promise reborn
Oh, the stone was rolled away, and hope displayed
Now our hearts rejoice, the debt of sin is paid

Chorus
Hallelujah, our Savior is alive
Risen from the grave, He conquered death and sin
Hallelujah, we’ll sing forevermore
For the love that saved us, a love that never ends

Bridge
In the presence of Your love, our tears will fall
For the grace that covers all, we stand in awe
And with every breath, we’ll sing, our hearts redeemed
By the power of Your love, in You, we’re truly free

Chorus
Hallelujah, our Savior is alive
Risen from the grave, He conquered death and sin
Hallelujah, we’ll sing forevermore
For the love that saved us, a love that never ends

Outro
On this Easter morn, we lift our hands on high
For the love that saved us, the love that never dies
Hallelujah, our Savior is alive
Hallelujah, we’ll sing forevermore.

While this was just a fun idea that quickly went extreme, I honestly don’t think it’s not too far off from reality. In just a matter of minutes, without any rephrasing, or fine tuning, I was able to generate, an entire Easter message.

But wait, there’s more. There’s more to an Easter service than the service itself. Here’s a few more prompts for GPT4 to bundle this up, and potentially sell for $400.

Write a compelling Facebook post inviting people to church for Easter

🌟✝️🌸 This Easter, experience the joy of renewal and hope! 🌸✝️🌟

Dear friends and family, we invite you to join us at [Church Name] on Easter Sunday as we celebrate the most incredible event in history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ! 🙌

Easter is a time of love, hope, and new beginnings, and we can’t wait to share this special day with you. 🌅 Our service will be filled with inspiring music, heartfelt worship, and a powerful message that will touch your soul and remind you of the life-changing power of God’s love. 💕

📅 When: Easter Sunday, [Date] 🕙 Time: [Service Time] 📍 Where: [Church Address]

Whether you’re a long-time believer or just curious about the Christian faith, we welcome you with open arms. 💒 Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable Easter celebration that will leave you feeling uplifted and renewed. 🌼

We can’t wait to see you there! Feel free to share this invitation with anyone who might be interested. Let’s rejoice together in the promise of new life and the love of our risen Savior. 🕊️

#EasterSunday #HeIsRisen #NewBeginnings #CelebrateTogether #JoinUs

Lastly, how do we market this?

Give me the 3 best Easter marketing tactics for the church.

1. Social Media Campaigns and Online Presence: Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share engaging content related to Easter events, services, and the message of hope and renewal. Create visually appealing images, videos, and shareable posts that inspire users to share with their networks. Also, update your church’s website with relevant information on Easter events and services, and make sure to optimize it for search engines to make it easily discoverable for those looking for local events.
2. Community Outreach and Collaboration: Partner with local businesses, schools, and community organizations to promote your Easter services and events. Organize and participate in community events, such as Easter egg hunts, charity fundraisers, or service projects, to build relationships and goodwill within the community. These collaborative efforts not only increase your church’s visibility but also demonstrate its commitment to serving the local community, making it more appealing to potential visitors.
3. Personal Invitations and Direct Mail: Encourage your congregation to invite friends, family, and neighbors to Easter services and events through personal invitations. Word of mouth is an effective marketing tool, as people are more likely to attend an event if they have a personal connection. Additionally, consider sending out direct mailers or postcards to households in your local area, inviting them to join your Easter celebrations. Be sure to include compelling visuals, service times, and information on special events, as well as a warm message that conveys the welcoming atmosphere of your church.

By leveraging these marketing tactics, your church can increase its reach, draw more people to its Easter celebrations, and ultimately share the message of hope and love that Easter represents.

Lastly, an outline for a PowerPoint presentation. GPT 4 cannot create presentations, so it outlined the above message that can be used to frame a presentation.

Outline the message for a presentation.

Slide 1: Title

• Understanding Easter: A Lesson from a Child

Slide 2: Setting the Stage

• Sunday School teacher tests her students’ understanding of Easter
• Creative activity: find something symbolizing new life

Slide 3: The Task

• Each child receives a plastic egg
• Their mission: go outside and find an item representing new life

Slide 4: The Eggs Revealed

• Children return with their eggs
• Teacher begins to open each egg, one by one

Slide 5: First Egg

• Contains a beautiful flower
• Symbolizes new life in nature

Slide 6: Second Egg

• Reveals a tiny green leaf
• Represents the rebirth of nature in springtime

Slide 7: Third Egg

• The egg is empty
• Teacher is puzzled and asks the child why it’s empty

Slide 8: The Child’s Wisdom

• The boy confidently replies, “Because the tomb was empty on Easter morning!”
• The teacher is impressed by the young boy’s insight

Slide 9: Conclusion

• Sometimes, the simplest lessons come from unexpected sources
• Remember the true meaning of Easter: the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus Christ

You can use this outline to create a PowerPoint presentation that effectively tells the story of the anecdote and highlights the importance of understanding the true meaning of Easter.

The sermon, the song selection, even a custom song, along with Facebook post. All written in 10 minutes.

Even if you removed the nefarious factor (hype, emotion, conversion metrics), should AI be writing sermons? Is it better that buying sermons? What’s the ethics, morals, and Christian thing?

Will you be comfortable going to a church knowing AI played some part in orchestrating the church service?

With million dollar budgets come million dollar expectations. Not that the 100 dollar budgets don’t have million dollar expectations. It all comes down to AI + some small spark of an idea (even with good intentions) that can see the church move more toward a data driven experience.

What’s the role of AI, if any, in the church? Will AI play a role in the church? Should it play a role in the church?

These are the questions that we should think about. AI in 2023 feels like the start of the internet in the 1990s. Small ideas back then, made billionaires in the 2000s. We are on the cusp of AI becoming a part of every day life and ideas will be birthed that will be everyday life 10 years from now.

Is the church part of that? Just 3 years ago live streaming was not a thing for the church at large. Now, almost every church is live-streaming on at least 3 platforms.

Will there be sites offering sermons for sale that are all generated by AI – just to make a quick buck? Will unsuspecting, or desperate preachers fall for such traps?

Lastly, the more I dug into this, I realised, it could get darker. The prompts could be more finely tuned, we could generate fake testimonials, gut-wrenching stories, then glorious and joyful ones. Stories that could take you on an emotional joyride.

Posted by Conrad Abraham

Hey there. I’m Conrad from Atlanta, Ga. I’ve a passion for worship, In fact, I’ve been worshiping before it was official – or before I accepted Jesus as the one true God and as my saviour.

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