In Preaching Articles: "Audience Attention"

7 Ways To Keep Teenagers Listening To Your Sermons

By Brandon Hilgemann on Feb 7, 2026

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

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Three Key Components Of A Solid Sermon

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 13, 2020

Every faithful sermon must include three essential components: God, the preacher, and the audience. Remove one, and preaching loses its power and purpose.

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Timothy 4:16, Ezra 7:10, Matthew 28:20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, Biblical Leadership, preaching

Do This And Improve Your Preaching This Sunday

By Peter Walters on Sep 8, 2022

We have a new family in our church with no church background at all. When I prepare to preach I think of them and go the extra mile to make my message as understandable and relatable as possible.

Tags: Communication, Preaching, audience, Teaching God's Word, Pastoral Ministry, effective preaching, Sermon Help, Sermon Delivery, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Dangerous Assumptions That Will Kill Your Message

By Dr. Larry Moyer on Jun 22, 2021

Assuming the wrong things can cost us our audience. There are five dangerous assumptions in preaching. The damage they do may vary, but the fact that they are costly does not.

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-7

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How Preachers Resemble Flight Attendants

By Ron Forseth on Jun 4, 2025

Even though no one pays attention to the pre-flight warnings, the message is crucial when things go wrong.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

Beware Of Over-Hyped Intros!

By Peter Mead on Jan 28, 2026

Your message intro shouldn’t feel like a spiritual infomercial. Learn how to connect meaningfully with your audience without overstating your message’s impact.

Tags: Preaching, preaching

When Is A Sermon Good Enough?

By Stephen Gregory on Jul 16, 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, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Sermon Preparation, preaching, church, sermon preparation, Preaching Challenges, Spiritual Growth  (view more)  (view less)

How Long Should A Sermon Be?

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Jul 11, 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, preparation, Homiletics, Time, communication, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Use Humor Like A Hammer (Plus 4 Other Great Preaching Tips)

By Chris Foster on Feb 5, 2024

The average attention span has dropped from 12 minutes to 5 minutes. If this is true, what does that mean for you as a communicator of the Gospel?

Scripture: Exodus 3:7-17, John 14:26

Tags: Preaching, humor, social media, storytelling, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Top 7 Myths About Seminary

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 29, 2022

If you want to get people’s attention or have the room go silent, just announce that you’ve decided to go to seminary.

Tags: BIBLE STUDY, Seminary, study bible, Bible Study, Jesus Relationship, bible study  (view more)  (view less)

The Secret To Memorable Preaching

By Larry Osborne on May 10, 2023

Linking small groups to weekend sermons increases attentiveness, note-taking, and application, turning preaching into lasting transformation rather than forgettable moments.

Scripture: Acts 2:42, James 1:22, Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Colossians 3:16, Hebrews 10:24-25  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Discipleship, Preaching, Small groups, Great, preaching, Small Groups  (view more)  (view less)

Why Illustrations Make Preaching Unforgettable

By Dr. Larry Moyer on May 22, 2020

Illustrations turn speakers into communicators. They clarify truth, reveal the preacher’s understanding, awaken attention, and help listeners see biblical realities clearly.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15, John 6:44, Matthew 13:34, Proverbs 25:11, Psalm 78:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, illustration, sermon prep, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

You Can Preach About Pentecost Then, But What About Pentecost Now?

By David J. Lose on May 23, 2023

Few holidays present themselves as ripe for nostalgia as Pentecost. Weren't these the glory days of the church--spirit-filled preaching, attentive listening, 3,000 converted in a single day?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18, John 2:1-12

Tags: Preaching, preaching

The Greatest Gift You Give Your Team- Part 1

By Lance Witt on Jul 11, 2024

This week work at paying attention to your soul. Listen to your emotions. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what is going on beneath the surface of all your “doing”.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:1, John 16:32, John 16:32

Tags: Approval, Growth in Christ, pastoral leadership, God's Approval, Guarding your heart, motives, soul care, personal holiness  (view more)  (view less)

8 Starts To Avoid In Your Preaching

By Rachel Blom on Jan 4, 2023

The first moments of a sermon shape whether people will stay engaged. These eight common but ineffective sermon starts reveal what preachers should avoid to maintain attention and build trust with listeners.

Tags: Homiletics