“Is it apologetic and hesitant rather than authoritative and declarative? Is it unnecessarily offensive? Is it sufficiently varied when compared with your other sermon introductions?”

Following up on yesterday’s post about teaching beginning preachers, here’s my second checklist for beginning (and not-so-beginning) preachers on introducing a sermon.

1. Is it too long/too short? (Too long is by far the most common problem)

2. Does it contain no more than one thought/idea? (second most common problem)

3. Are you showing off your learning or trying to be sensational?

4. Is the introduction connected/relevant to the sermon?

5. Does the introduction connect with your hearers? Does it draw them into the sermon?

6. Does it give hearers a reason to listen to the sermon?

7. Does it steal the sermon’s thunder? In other words, is there sermon material in the introduction?

8. Is it apologetic and hesitant rather than authoritative and declarative?

9. Is it unnecessarily offensive?

10. Is it sufficiently varied when compared with your other sermon introductions?

David Murray is Professor of Old Testament & Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. This article first appeared on his blog, Head Heart Hand, and is used with permission.