Sermon Openers: The Preface and Introduction
by Clay Gentry
Preachers, you invest countless hours in developing your sermons – exploring passages, mastering the text, writing memorable points, crafting powerful statements that make an impact, and setting the right tone. However, all this effort can be wasted if the congregation isn’t engaged from the beginning with a thoughtful introduction.
We’re not talking about the old saying, “Tell them what you’re going to say...” where you quickly list your main points before starting the lesson. That method can often feel repetitive and, honestly, it robs the sermon of those “aha!” moments that make the lesson truly impactful.
Instead, it's a strategic two-part process: a preface that sets essential context, followed by an engaging introduction that immediately hooks your listeners. This thoughtful and powerful approach respects your audience and sets the stage for a more receptive hearing of God’s Word.
Let’s explore three critical aspects to consider for your sermon opening:
The Sermon’s Essential Preface
Before your lesson begins, some strategic groundwork may be vital. First, let’s explore the essential information you provide your congregation, which can act as a crucial preface that prepares them for what’s ahead in your actual sermon.
Share Your “Why”
Too often, it seems, preachers select topics that appear random to the congregation. There is no clear pattern or reason behind what’s being preached each week; no schedule or main theme is followed. Your congregation listens patiently, but they might be left wondering, “Why this topic? Why today?”
It helps greatly to concisely tell the congregation why you’re preaching on a particular passage or topic. Whether it was a specific request from a church member, relates directly to current events, is part of your preaching schedule, aligns with a yearly theme or reading plan, or simply stems from your personal studies. Whatever the reason, share it!
For example, earlier this summer, a local congregation asked me to preach on the “Shield of Faith” during their VBS. When I later delivered the lesson at Jackson Heights, it might have seemed random to select just one element from the whole armor passage in Ephesians 6:10-20. I explained at the start, “I recently preached this at Oak Ave’s VBS, and I thought the lesson was important enough to share with my home congregation as well.” With that “why” clearly stated upfront, the lesson topic immediately made sense to the congregation.
This simple act puts the lesson into context for your listeners, making it more relevant and less like an isolated message disconnected from their lives or the larger biblical narrative. Otherwise, you’re just delivering another random sermon that only makes sense to you.
Guide Them Through the “How”
Once you’ve shared the “why,” if needed, give your congregation a heads-up about how the sermon will flow. Will you spend noticeably more time on your first point than on all the others combined? If so, let them know! Without this, they might feel, based on the length of time spent on the first point, that the sermon is going to be super long, or that you rushed through your last points because you lost track of time.
Additionally, consider not only the structure but also the emotional flow of your sermon. I recently delivered a sermon titled “The Prodigal’s Road to Ruin,” which intentionally ended on a somber note, concluding with Luke 15:16, where the prodigal is stuck in the pigsty, not the typical joyful reunion. I told the congregation this upfront. This lesson was part 6 of 12 we’re working through on Luke 15; I even mentioned that in the next lesson, we’ll explore the Prodigal coming to his senses and how being in the pigsty aided him. This preparation helped the congregation grasp the message’s tone, preventing confusion or premature expectations.
People appreciate knowing what to expect. Quickly guiding the congregation through the “how” honors their attention and helps them follow your message with greater understanding.
The Sermon’s Engaging Introduction
With any prefacing “why’s” and “how’s” shared, now it’s time to start the sermon. Let’s focus on the techniques for the immediate opening that captivates and invites listeners into the heart of the message.
Invite Them into the Lesson
The introduction is where you set the stage for the sermon by inviting your audience into the lesson. As a preaching friend of mine says, “The sermon that starts badly seldom ends well.” Instead of stumbling into the sermon, a well-crafted introduction acts as a strong invitation, building anticipation and actively engaging your audience from the very beginning. It’s your chance to grab their attention, spark their curiosity, and show that what they’re about to hear isn’t just informative but also deeply relevant and impactful for their lives.
So, to achieve this powerful invitation, let’s focus on these three essential aspects of an engaging hook, drawing on examples from a recent sermon, “From Gold to Bronze,” taken from II Chronicles 10 (see comments for introduction):
Start with a Thought-Provoking Question:
An immediate, challenging question can be one of the most effective ways to grab attention. It shifts the audience from passive listening to active thought, directly inviting them into the sermon’s central tension or theme. This question should resonate with their experience or challenge a common assumption.
For example, I started with, “Have you ever noticed that the greatest danger to our faith isn’t always adversity, but prosperity?” This question immediately sets a counter-intuitive premise that demands attention and personal reflection.
Personalize with a Follow-Up Question or Scenario:
Building on your initial hook, follow up with a question or scenario that directly reflects their potential experience, showing them that the sermon isn't about abstract theology but about their life.
Next, I moved from a general observation to a direct, convicting challenge that the listener can immediately apply to themselves: “It’s easy to cry out to God when we’re weak. But what happens when we feel strong, secure, even self-sufficient?”
Promise a Profound Takeaway:
Conclude your introductory hook by giving the congregation a glimpse of the significant truth, insight, or transformation the sermon will offer. This isn’t giving away your points but promising a valuable return on their investment of attention. It creates anticipation for a “sobering truth” or a new understanding they won’t want to miss.
The final statement, “But what happens when the pain fades, and the reminders of grace become ordinary? Rehoboam’s story leaves us with a sobering truth about our own hearts. Rehoboam’s story leaves us with a sobering truth about our own hearts,” providing a clear reason to keep listening, signaling that the sermon will unpack something deeply relevant and impactful for their spiritual journey.
This third element isn’t just about information; it’s about invitation. It invites the listener into the sermon, assuring them that this lesson is for them, not just about an abstract topic. It tells them, “Lean in, because what’s coming next matters to your life.”
Our congregants patiently listen to our lessons, week after week. Let’s show them value by transforming our sermon openings from mere aimless meanderings into purposeful explanations and powerful invitations. The next time you step into the pulpit, commit to crafting an opening that not only begins the sermon but also actively invites your listeners directly into God’s truth.
When you do, you won’t only capture their attention; you’ll pave the way for God’s Word to land with greater clarity, deeper impact, and lasting spiritual transformation. Your thoughtful preparation in these crucial opening moments will honor both your listeners and the profound message you are privileged to proclaim.
