Most pastors start their sermons like a term paper.

You know the format.

“Hello everyone! Today, we're talking about [insert topic].” Then comes the classic three-point structure, perhaps with a clever alliteration. Each point gets unpacked with an illustration, and before long, you’re summarizing your thesis and closing in prayer.

Then, everyone heads to brunch.

Sound familiar?

Don’t get me wrong—this can work. Content is more important than style, after all. But here’s the thing: if your content is already good, could there be a more engaging way to deliver it? A way that captivates your congregation and keeps them on the edge of their seats?

I believe there is.

Let me introduce you to a concept from Eugene Lowry’s The Homiletical Plot.

He calls it "teaching as a narrative art form." It’s not just about storytelling; it’s about weaving together theology, concepts, and real-life experiences in a way that keeps people engaged from start to finish.

Think about how movies begin.

Do they start by telling you what the movie is about? Do they say, “This is a story about love, betrayal, and redemption. Here are the key points we’ll cover”?

Of course not. That would ruin the tension and intrigue that keeps you watching.

Instead, movies use curiosity to hook the audience. They start with a scene that draws you in, makes you wonder, and compels you to keep watching.

Why don’t we do this in our sermons?

If our goal is to see transformation in the lives of our congregation, the first thing we need is their attention. We need a hook—a moment that makes people lean in. Whether it’s a problem, a tension point, or a story, something has to grab their emotions before you dive into the substance.

Let me give you an example.

I was asked to speak at a pastor’s conference. I knew I wanted to talk about dealing with the wounds we receive in ministry. But I didn’t start by announcing, “Today, we’re talking about church hurt.”

I would have lost the room right away. Everyone would have assumed that they knew what I was going to say and then would have mentally checked out.

Instead, I started with a personal story.

I shared about a time someone in my church publicly attacked me after they deconstructed their faith. I talked about how painful it was. I said, “It’s in vogue to talk about people who’ve been hurt by pastors, but it’s taboo to talk about how pastors get hurt by their people.”

Then I said something that immediately resonated with my audience: “If you’ve been a pastor for any length of time, it’s not a matter of if you’ve been wounded, but how bad.”

The room shifted. Heads nodded. People leaned in.

By sharing a story that connected with their experiences, I created a hook. I had their attention. Only then did I go into the meat of the message—how to heal from these wounds and lead from a place of wholeness.

That’s what a great intro can do.

Here’s the takeaway:

Don’t start your sermon like a term paper. Start it like a movie.

Ask yourself, how can I capture attention right away? Maybe it’s a personal story, a surprising statistic, or a powerful question. Whatever it is, make it something that creates curiosity and draws people in.

Remember, our job isn’t just to inform—it’s to transform. Transformation begins when we connect with people’s hearts, not just their heads.

So, here’s your action step:

Pull up your most recent sermon. How does it start? Does it feel more like a dry term paper, or does it grab attention like a movie?

Spend 10-15 minutes brainstorming new ways to open your sermon. Think of stories, statistics, or questions that could serve as a hook to engage your listeners.

Imagine this:

You're preaching, and instead of seeing glazed-over eyes, you notice people are fully engaged. Faces shift, hearts soften, and by the end, lives are changed—not because of how well you structured your message, but because of the power of God moving through it.

That’s the kind of impact you can have when you preach with purpose and authority.