A Guide to Effective Preaching – Introduction. Explanation. Application.

Introduction. Explanation. Application. – A More Effective Way to Write Sermons

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Remember, the people you’re talking to are coming in cold. They’ve been working, living life and for the last 15 minutes wrangling kids to get them to their classes in time to sit down and listen to you.

They know NOTHING about what you’re about to say. Meanwhile, you’ve LIVED this material all week and are excited about it.

See the problem?

We can’t honestly expect people who know NOTHING about what we’re going to say and have a million things swirling around in their heads to get focused and engaged in only 30 seconds.

They need to be hooked (jabbed). Not once. Not twice. But THREE times. I believe it takes a FULL 10 minutes to do this.

The Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook 10 Minute Introduction

Jab 1 (2-4 minutes)

The reticular activating system at the base of our brain filters out everything unless it is funny, bizarre, shocking or interesting. So, start by telling a story that is funny, bizarre, shocking or interesting that is related to “being uncomfortable.”

Jab 2 (2-4 minutes)

Then share ANOTHER compelling piece of information that’s funny, bizarre, shocking or interesting that is related to “being uncomfortable.” Why? Because it takes a while to engage an idea and to get excited about it.

Jab 3 (2-4 minutes)

Next, tell them why you are so passionate about what you’re going to talk about.
Give them the central idea, without calling it that, and why embracing it matters.
This is where you must have passion in your voice and fire in your bones.

Right hook (1 minute)

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brianjones@churchleaders.com'
Brian Joneshttp://brianjones.com
I’m the founding Senior Pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley in the suburbs of Philadelphia. In 13 years the church has grown from a small group in my home to over 2,000 incredible people. Before that I served in churches of 25 to 600 in attendance. I love church planters and pastors of smaller churches, and totally understand the difficult challenges they face as they try to help people find their way back to God.

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