Introduction to prompt refining

Starting to prompt LLM’s? Check out this introduction guide to prompt refining

Promping an LLM can be difficult if you don’t know where to start. In this guide we will show you everything you should keep in mind while

Step 1: Initial Prompt Creation

1. Identify Purpose: Determine your goal (e.g., understanding a theological concept, finding scriptural references, discovering church history).
2. Draft the Prompt:
   • Be clear and concise with your request.
   • Use specific language related to Christian doctrine or scripture.
   • Consider the context and the type of response you desire.
   • Example: “What are the key themes of the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew?”

Step 2: Initial Interaction and Evaluation

1. Submit the prompt to the LLM.
2. Evaluate the Response:
   • Does the response align with your expectations?
   • Assess clarity, relevance, and theological accuracy.
   • Note any areas of confusion, misinterpretation, or lack of depth.

Step 3: Identify Issues with the Original Prompt

1. Analyze Responses:
   • Determine if the model misunderstood specific theological concepts or provided overly generalized responses.
   • Look for vague or broad interpretations that fail to capture the essence of the prompt.
2. Gather Feedback: Consider discussing the response with a pastor, theologian, or fellow believers for additional insights.

Step 4: Refinement of the Prompt

1. Make Specific Improvements:

   • Clarify Ambiguous Terms: Replace vague terms with more precise theological language.
   • Add Context: Provide details or personal reflections that enhance understanding.
   • Adjust Format or Expectations: Specify how you’d like the information structured (e.g., list, paragraph, exegetical analysis).
   • Example Revision: “Identify and elaborate on three core teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), highlighting their implications for Christian living today.”

2. Test the Revised Prompt: Submit the refined prompt to the LLM and evaluate the new response for theological accuracy and relevance.

Step 5: Iteration

1. Continue to Refine:

   • If the response is still lacking, repeat steps 3 and 4.
   • Use collected feedback to make further adjustments to enhance clarity and depth.

2. Document Changes:

   • Keep a record of the initial and revised prompts along with their responses. This helps you understand which modifications yield the best results.

3. Finalize and Save: Once the prompt consistently yields satisfying responses, document it for future reference.

Example of the Process

1. Initial Prompt: “What does the Bible say about love?”
2. Evaluation: Response was too general and lacked scriptural references.
3. Identified Issues: Vague request and insufficient depth in explanation.
4. Refined Prompt: “Provide three scripture passages that illustrate different dimensions of love according to the Bible (e.g., agape, philia, eros) and explain their meanings.”
5. Testing: Submit the refined prompt and check if the response includes specific passages with explanations.

Tips for Effective Prompting in a Christian Context

• Be Specific: Theological discussions can be deep and complex; specificity helps clarify your inquiry.
• Iterate as Necessary: Prompt refinement is crucial for obtaining deeper insights.
• Use Examples: If you have a particular interpretation or perspective in mind, share it to guide the model.
• Engage with the Text: When discussing scripture, quoting or referencing specific verses can lead to more focused responses.

By following this tailored approach to prompting, you’ll be better equipped to engage with an LLM for Christian topics and enhance the quality of the theological insights you receive.