Donald Sunukjian thinks through elements of the preaching process in fine detail. His book, An Invitation to Biblical Preaching, is full of real nuggets for the thoughtful preacher wishing to fine tune their methodology. For instance, consider his five step approach to an introduction:

1. Engage audience interest – develop a sense of need through use of humor, reference to personal or contemporary matters of concern.

2. Focus the message on either the Big Idea (deductive sermon) or the subject / question (inductive sermon).

3. Set the stage biblically – provide helpful background, context, setting, etc. If necessary review the sermon series. However, do not mention the chapter and verse yet. Once you mention it, they won’t be listening because they will be distracted by the hunt.

4. Preview the direction of the message as much as necessary – identify any major hunks or structural movements to come so the listener has a fair idea of what is to come.

5. Announce the passage – giving the chapter and verse, then allowing people to look it up before continuing. Wait quietly at this point, people aren’t listening to you anyway while they hunt, and your patience will motivate people to actually bring and open their Bibles.