June 18, 2025

The SEND U Blog

Reflections and Resources for Lifelong Learning for Missionaries

Tag: application

Multiplication Process Development in Ministry: Strategies and Tools
Church Planting, Disciple-making, DMM, Mentoring, Mission Methodologies

Multiplication Process Development in Ministry: Strategies and Tools

This entry is part 11 of 15 in the series "Church planting". The right materials and methods won’t result in multiplication unless we have developed an intentional process designed to multiply. A long process of learning I was speaking to a group of missionaries in Asia about developing a ministry of multiplying disciple-makers. I was telling them how we had developed a process in our church plant where we were making disciples who make disciples who make disciples. At that point, one of the missionaries asked me how long it took us to develop that process. I didn’t exactly know how to answer that question. After all, it was a cumulation of learning things over the years and of trying and developing methods and processes. Collecting the right tools During 33 years as a church planter, I was constantly looking for or modifying or developing materials to be more effective… Read the whole post
David North5 mins read
Preparing to Preach: Introductions and Conclusions
Photo by Pascal Meier on Unsplash
Resources, Preaching

Preparing to Preach: Introductions and Conclusions

This entry is part 5 of 5 in the series "Preparing to preach". Taking off and landing require a pilot’s utmost attention. Likewise, sermon introductions and conclusions demand careful preparation by a preacher. In fact, the introductions and conclusions will make or break the connection with our audience. In the introduction, we meet them coming from their daily life of the previous week. Then, in the conclusion, we send them off to live in the light of the biblical truth expressed in the sermon’s big idea. So, introductions and conclusions must be carefully worded to connect our audience with the big idea. For the simple reason that we need to know our destination before we start a journey, writing the conclusion precedes writing the introduction. Writing the Conclusion Conclusions Conclude A sermon conclusion should not resemble a jetliner in a holding pattern waiting to land, or worse, aborting an attempted… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley1 min read
Preparing to Preach: Illustrating and Applying the Big Idea
Photo by Alena Koval from Pexels
Preaching

Preparing to Preach: Illustrating and Applying the Big Idea

This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series "Preparing to preach". In this series on preaching for missionaries, I have stressed being students of Scripture and of our audience. This “double listening” (as John Stott calls it)1See the first post in this series. is critical for illustrating and applying the big idea of our biblical text. In fact, illustrating and applying form the key connection between the biblical truth and our listeners. Additionally, illustrations set the stage for the application in the daily lives of our audience. Illustrating the Big Idea Shining light on the big idea Illustrations include quotes, anecdotes, examples, comparisons, statistics, testimony, and poetry. Sources include personal experience, news, history, literature, imagination, and the Bible. Whatever the type or source, they must shed light on the biblical truth and connect with listeners. That is, illustrations must help our audience understand and identify with the biblical… Read the whole post
Gary Ridley2 mins read
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