In Preaching Articles: "Attention"

How To Craft Sermon Openers That Grab Attention

By Tyler Scarlett on Feb 26, 2025

A wandering introduction loses listeners before the sermon even begins. Strong, simple, and compelling first sentences draw people in and prepare them to hear God’s Word.

Scripture: Titus 2:2, Titus 2:1-2, Philippians 4:10-15, Romans 13:11-14

Tags: Pastoral Ministry

Why The Clarity Of Scripture Deserves More Attention

By Peter Mead on Aug 6, 2021

The church rightly affirms the authority of Scripture but often neglects its clarity. Preaching should strengthen confidence in God’s Word, not undermine it.

Scripture: Psalm 19:7, Deuteronomy 30:11-14, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Tags: Preaching, Pastoral Ministry, preaching

Preaching--4 Ways To Gain Attention And 3 Ways To Keep It!

By Dr. R. Larry Moyer on Oct 12, 2025

How do you rate on the two critical skills every preacher needs?

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17

Tags: skill, entice, preaching, Preaching, Attention, Enthusiasm  (view more)  (view less)

6 Reasons Pastors And Leaders Need Adequate Sleep

By Charles Stone on Jun 19, 2023

For many years scientists and philosophers have pondered why we need sleep besides to not be sleepy. Of course we all intuitively know how important sleep is to our bodies, relationships, and walk with God. But as neuroscientists are learning more about the brain, they are discovering many positive brain benefits from sleep. This list below includes some of those benefits.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:12

Tags: sleep, Walk with God, decison making, paying attention

5 Ways To Get People To Pay Attention To Your Sermons

By Charles Stone on Feb 15, 2022

One of the most disconcerting feelings we pastors experience is when we prepare a sermon and pour our heart into it, yet feel that it didn’t make a difference in people’s lives.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Relevance, sermons, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Less Is More: Improve Tomorrow's Sermon By Making It Shorter

By Lane Sebring on Nov 6, 2019

Few public speakers can keep an audience's attention for an hour. Fewer should even try.

Scripture: Genesis 19:1-15, Psalm 107:1-15, Revelation 12:1-10

Tags: Preaching, better, short sermon, audience attention, sermon length  (view more)  (view less)

If Jesus Gave A Ted Talk Principle 2—pique Interest (Attention)

By Charles Stone on Oct 19, 2021

Pique Interest is the second installment of an 8 part series on how neuroscience can improve your preaching.

Scripture: Luke 19:48

Tags: Preaching, sermon, Sermon, preaching

Increasing Youth Retention And Involvement In Your Church

By John Gilman Ii on Mar 23, 2021

Families have long been the cornerstone of church congregations. Parents bring their children to church every Sunday. At a certain point, it becomes the children’s choice and responsibility to decide if they want to continue going to church every Sunday or not. That’s why it’s so important to show your children God’s grace and make Him a priority in their life from an early age.

Scripture: Malachi 2:15, Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Youth, Small groups, Equipping Disciples, Youth Ministry, paying attention  (view more)  (view less)

Do You Pay Attention To God's Voice While You're Preaching?

By Mark Moore on Jan 31, 2024

Faithful preaching requires careful preparation, but it also requires attentiveness to Christ’s presence. Sometimes the most powerful moment in a sermon is stepping aside.

Scripture: Mark 6:34, John 10:11, 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 4:12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Spiritual Leadership, God, Preaching, voice, spiritual leadership, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Swindoll Says Stories Are Valuable

By Michael Duduit on Aug 14, 2023

Stories transport us into another world. They hold our attention.

Scripture: Matthew 13:34

Tags: Communication, Preaching, Story, storytelling, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

7 Ways To Keep Teenagers Listening To Your Sermons

By Brandon Hilgemann on Feb 6, 2026

Engaging the short attention span of teenagers (and even adults!) isn't easy.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Why Your Sermon Lost Me: Five Reasons People Check Out

By Patrick Holden on Sep 2, 2020

Five common communication mistakes that cause audiences to disengage and how preachers can keep listeners attentive and responsive.

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-8, Ecclesiastes 12:10, Nehemiah 8:8, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, Preaching, Leadership, Sermon Preparation, preaching, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

The 10 Commandments Of An Effective Sermon Introduction

By Brandon Kelley on Aug 25, 2022

If you haven’t grasped this yet, your sermon introduction is vitally important. But what does it look like to knock the introduction out of the park? What are some things to avoid? What are some things to ensure are a part of it? Let’s dive into the 10 commandments of an effective sermon introduction!

Tags: Teaching, Preaching, Introduction, illustration, Teaching God's Word, Attention Grabber, Effective Teaching, Sermon Introduction, preaching, teaching  (view more)  (view less)

When Is A Sermon Good Enough?

By Stephen Gregory on Jul 15, 2024

A pastor wrestles with preparation, expectations, and perfectionism, discovering how God uses imperfect sermons when the preacher is faithful, honest, and attentive to the flock.

Scripture: Proverbs 16:3

Tags: Church, Preaching, pastor, spiritual growth, Communication General, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation  (view more)  (view less)

How Long Should A Sermon Be?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 10, 2020

There is no universal sermon length. What matters most is clarity, focus, and the preacher’s ability to hold attention around one central point.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, Nehemiah 8:8, 1 Corinthians 14:8, Colossians 4:6

Tags: communication, preaching, Communication, Preaching, preparation, Homiletics, Time  (view more)  (view less)