Loading ...The Key to a Great Sermon
Some people believe that a sermon is primarily a teaching event. Through the sermon, the preacher is giving information to the congregation. The sermon is structured to inform, teach, and maybe persuade through logic a change in a life. I certainly see some of these elements in a sermon, but I have a different paradigm for the sermon. The sermon must engage the listener or fellow worshipper. The sermon must do more than teach, it must change a person. The problem is that you are battling with the individual for his attention. You might be teaching, but he or she might be thinking about lunch. The key is to hold the attention of the listener. I know that some people state that it is the listeners obligation to hear the sermon, and yes it is, but it is also my duty to help him to listen. So how do you get a normal, non want to be the great Christian person to listen to your sermon for 20 minutes? One key is “do not preach for 45 minutes.” But that is not the main key. The best way to hold attention is not through stories or illustrations, but they can help but through the structure of the sermon itself. Every preacher only has so many great stories or illustrations to hold attention, so you need a different tool. Use tension in the sermon. I will use delayed gratification to hold attention. I hold a carrot out for the church and will not let them have it until the end. They really hate this but always listen. I also establish tension in the beginning of the sermon and resolve it at the end. I am telling a story with conflict that has an ending to it. Tension in a sermon is key for great preaching.
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About The Author
What are some things you use to help with attention span.
Matthew,
A friend of mine suggested Andy Stanley’s “Communicating for a Change” and it has reinvigorated me and revolutionized my preaching. Stories and illustrations are the key. “Me.We.God. You.We” is his pattern for ONE POINT sermons, not three or five point sermons.
I like to build up to a challenge at the end of the lesson. They know its coming, I’m going to challenge them to do something but they don’t know what it is. Some weeks I don’t issue a challenge and it drives some of the people nuts! They want the challenge.
I also try to capture attention at the beginning with off the wall titles. (These won’t hold the audience for long but just enough to get them into the sermon). My favorite one is “Let’s be a Liberal Church” you can just see the tension in peoples eyes! lol then I proceed to speak to them about giving.
Good thoughts Matthew!