Writing a sermon intro requires you to grab the listener’s attention immediately and show them why the message matters for their life. A great introduction uses a “hook”—a story, a startling statistic, or a provocative question—that illustrates your Big Idea and creates a “tension” only the Word of God can resolve. By the time you finish your intro, your audience should know exactly where you’re headed and why they should join you for the journey.
Start With a Compelling Hook
The first sixty seconds of your sermon are arguably the most important. You’re competing with wandering minds and phone notifications, so you have to start with something that “hooks” the heart. A hook isn’t just a random joke or a cool story; it’s a bridge that connects the listener’s world to the biblical truth you’re about to share. Think of it as a mystery you’re posing—a problem that needs a solution or a question that hits close to home.
When you use a story or an analogy as a hook, don’t give away the ending right away. Instead, leave a “loop” open in the listener’s mind. For example, if you’re preaching on God’s provision, you might start with a story about a time you were completely out of options and didn’t know where your next meal was coming from. Save the resolution for the conclusion of your sermon. This creates a narrative thread that keeps people engaged until the very last word.
Matthew 13:34 Jesus always used stories when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables.
Pivot to the Big Idea
Once you’ve captured their attention, you need to tell them where the ship is sailing. This is where you introduce your “Big Idea.” You want to move quickly from your opening story to the central truth of your message. Don’t leave people guessing. A clear transition sounds something like, “We all feel that sense of panic when resources run low, but today we’re going to see that God’s bank account never hits zero.”
This transition is vital because it justifies the time the audience is about to give you. You’re essentially making a promise: “If you listen for the next twenty minutes, we’re going to see how this biblical principle solves the tension I just described.” Keep this part of the intro lean and direct. You’ve already won their ears with the hook; now you’re winning their minds by showing them the roadmap for the message.
Connect to the Bigger Picture
A sermon doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s usually part of a larger conversation your church is having. After you’ve established your Big Idea, take a moment to “orient” the listener within your current sermon series. This helps regular attenders see the cumulative weight of what they’re learning and helps newcomers feel like they aren’t totally lost in the middle of a movie.
Briefly explain how today’s topic builds on last week or sets the stage for next week. For instance, if you’re in a series on the Making of David, you might say, “Last week we saw David’s courage in the valley against Goliath, but today we’re looking at a different kind of battle—the one that happens in the quiet of the palace.” This provides context and reinforces the idea that the Bible is one unfolding story of God’s redemptive work.
Nehemiah 8:8 They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.
Keep It Short and Focused
The biggest mistake preachers make in the introduction is staying there too long. Your intro should be like a porch—it’s meant to lead people into the house, not be the place where they live. Ideally, your introduction should take up about 10% to 15% of your total speaking time. If you spend ten minutes on an intro for a twenty-minute sermon, you’ve robbed the Scripture passage of the time it deserves.
Watch out for “cleverness” that distracts from the text. If people remember your funny story but can’t remember the Bible verse you preached on, your intro actually worked against you. The goal is to be a signpost that points away from yourself and toward Jesus. Once the tension is built and the context is set, get into the Word as quickly as possible. That’s where the real power for life change is found.
The Takeaway
Writing a sermon intro is all about building a bridge between the listener’s experience and God’s eternal truth. By starting with a “hook” that creates tension, pivoting clearly to your Big Idea, and connecting the message to your overall series, you create a clear path for the Holy Spirit to work. A good intro doesn’t just entertain; it prepares the soil of the heart to receive the seed of the Word.
