How To Write A Sermon Introduction: Every speaker knows what it is like to get off to a bad start when you stand before your congregation. Unless you get the minds and hearts of your congregation right from the start, the true potential of your message will never by fully realized. Those first minutes will determine if your congregation will move with you as you share your message with them.

How To Write A Sermon Introduction

There are many reasons why your congregation will not be tuned in when you begin your message. They may be anticipating a boring message or they may be preoccupied with thoughts relating to the weekly happenings of their lives.

However, it is the job of the preacher to break through these barriers in order to get their attention so that they will listen to the message that you want to share with them. A good introduction is the first step towards achieving this goal.

If you have something to say, your congregation will listen. Most congregations believe that their preacher has something worthwhile to say. Therefore, it is necessary for you to generate interest in your message by preparing an introduction that will get their attention, introduce the subject of your message and uncover the needs of your congregation. You can easily gain attention by asking a leading question, telling a good story, creating tension and making a key statement.

The introduction should not be too long because the introduction is only one part of the message that you are about to preach to your congregation. Keep in mind that a sermon is made up of an introduction, the body of the message and the conclusion. Therefore your introduction should be just long enough to get their attention and convey the central theme of your message. The introduction should build a communication bridge to your congregation so that they will listen to your message.

I want to suggest four simple methods to capture the minds and hearts of your congregation as you prepare them for your message.

1. You can make a key statement

Below is a brief example of an introduction build around a key statement. This is not the full introduction but I abbreviated it so that you can see how the key statement can be so effective.

“You will never change your life until you change something you do daily.”

Everyone wants to be thin, but it’s hard work to eat correctly and exercise regularly. However, if you take those small steps each day and every day, you will begin to see the results. It is the same with our spiritual life. If you do the little things each day and every day, you will begin to see the results in your spiritual walk.

Small disciplines repeated with consistency each day and every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time. So what are these small things that we need to do each day and every day to live a victorious Christian life?

2. You can ask a leading question

Below is a brief example of an introduction build around a leading question. Again this is not the full introduction. I have abbreviated it so that you can see how the leading question can be effective also.

Many people wander through life without purpose, meaning and direction. This is evidenced by the fact that most people cannot articulate their purpose in life. “If I were to ask you right now to articulate your purpose in life, what would you say?”

As a Christian you have the truth. You have the answers to life. You understand the purpose of life. Why is it that people are not knocking the doors down to the church to hear the truth, the answers to life and the purpose for life?

I want to give you three reasons why people are not crowding to the church to hear the truth, the answers to life and the purpose for life.

3. You can create tension

Below is a brief example of an introduction build around creating tension. Again this is not the full introduction. I have abbreviated to show you how tension can gain your audience’s attention.

Sometimes we get too big for our boots. You know what I mean. You get puffed up with your own self-importance. You think you’re the best. You’re the popular one here. When you get like this, you don’t want to listen to anyone. You think you know best. You want to do things your way. And in the process, you often trample over people.

As a teenager I often got big headed and I wouldn’t listen to my parents because I thought I knew best. I wanted to do things my way. I played the game of life according to my rules. And in the process, I trampled over my parents.

Even as Christians, we can get big headed and tend not to listen to God. Sometimes we think we know better and we often tell God what to do. Imagine that! It’s because we get too big for our boots. We get too big headed.

You know, Thomas got too big for his boots. Let me explain!

4. You can tell a story

Below is a brief example of an introduction build around telling a story. I find a good story captures the minds of your audiences nearly every time.

A. Introductory Story One

A young wife returns home from shopping with a very expensive dress. The husband is livid. “How could you do this,” he exclaimed. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I was standing in the store looking at the dress. Then I found myself trying it on. It was like the Devil was whispering to me, ‘Gee, you look great in that dress. You should buy it.’” “Well,” the husband said, “You know how to deal with him! Just tell him, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” “I did,” replied the young wife, “but then he said, ‘It looks great from back here too.’” (Source Unknown)
Temptation is very real and we all face temptation at times.

B. Introductory Story Two

I was reminded of a story of a burglar who broke into a house and began to steal all of the valuables. At that moment he heard a voice, “Jesus is watching you.” He was so scared he froze for a second. He regained his composure and started stealing again, when the voice came louder, “Jesus is watching you.”

He just about lost it right there and then. After regaining his composure, he began to steal again this time watching very intently when he heard the voice again. This time he recognized a shape in the corner. As he approached the shape, he realized it was a bird cage. He removed the cover to find a parrot. He almost laughed. “What is your name?” The parrot replied “Moses.” The thief then said what kind of person would name a parrot Moses? The parrot replied, “The same kind of person that named a Rottweiler ‘Jesus.’” (Source Unknown)

The Bible talks about a good conscience or a clear conscience. Our conscience is as if God is accusing us or excusing us. It’s the little voice inside telling you that you are doing the right thing or the wrong. It like the parrot warning the thief that Jesus is watching. This morning I want to look at why we need a clear conscience and how we can maintain a clear conscience.

How to write a sermon introduction provides some insights into capturing the minds and hearts of your audience! I tend to spend as much time as possible to get the introduction right so that the congregation will engage with the message. It is worth every moment spend on the introduction!

Resource Material For How To Write A Sermon Introduction

Biblical Preaching by Haddon Robinson

How To Preach Without Notes by Charles Koller is a must for the library of all preachers.