You probably have 15-30 seconds to “hook” your hearers at the beginning of your message or you will lose them.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that there are many ways to do this. Here are a few:
- Tell a story that connects with something they are already thinking about.
- Contradict (even if for a moment) a widely-held belief or myth.
- Make a noise they are not expecting (A simple, “Woo! What Jesus just said is tough, right?” will do.)
- Ask a question that does not have a clear answer.
- Bring a new angle to a story in the news they may have heard in the past week.
- Name the awkwardness in the room.
- Name the weariness in the room (especially helpful the Sunday after Thanksgiving).
- Tell a joke (that is connected to your main point).
And some things to avoid beginning your message with:
- Formulaic greetings (e.g., “Grace and peace to you…”). If you’re going to do these, keep them very short.
- Stories about yourself unless there is a clear connection to the lives of your hearers
- The text / topic / Scripture you are preaching on
- Religious pablum
- Controversial topics on which people have already chosen sides
- Insults directed (even passively) to your hearers
- Awkward gestures such as mic tapping: “Is this thing on?”
- Warm-up filler such as, “How’s everybody doing today?”
Again, you probably have just seconds to engage.
Hook ’em or lose ’em.
Your choice.
But I imagine you’d rather have them listening. Better: listening and engaged.
What are your most effective hooks?