YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY:
Your personal testimony is a natural introduction to sharing the Gospel of Christ. Use the following guidelines to help you develop your own story of what God has done in your life.
1. You have a story to tell, so tell it! People will marvel when you share how much Jesus has done for you (Mk 5:20).
2. Ask God to give you insights into how He has worked in your life.
3. You do not need to be an experienced speaker. Simply share from your heart about how you have experienced the love and grace of Christ and how you now want to share that good news with others.
4. To help you as you prepare, read Acts 22, 23, and 26. Note Paul’s before, how, and after. Guide your testimony around these three areas. Be sure to use your own words.
Below are some thoughts to get you started for each part of your story.
a. BEFORE I received Christ, I lived and thought this way…
• Spend a brief time on them before. This story is not a childhood biography. It is best to begin at a point in life that is connected to your relationship with Christ.
• Be thankful for the blessings that came with your salvation, like God's protection, if you became a Christian as a child.
• If you didn't meet Christ until later in life, you can talk about your problems with sin, but don't go on and on about them or make them seem great.
b. HOW I received Christ through faith and repentance…
- Focus on expressing your faith and repentance in this part of your testimony.
- Be as specific as possible, but don’t make the circumstances of your conversion the focus.
- Your salvation is based on God’s work of grace in your life and the promises He’s made, not your experiences or feelings. Tell me about how you came to believe in Jesus, put your faith in Him, and repented of your sins.
- When you speak of your faith in Christ, use words and phrases that accurately communicate your experience, such as "I placed my trust in Christ to forgive me of my sins" or “I saw my need for a relationship with Christ and received Him as my Lord and Savior.”
- Using your own words, mention repentance (how you turned from living for self and sin) and chose that which is better (an abundant life in Christ).
c. NOW with Christ in my life, I live and think this way… - Explain some of the most significant ways that Christ changed your life and how He is still changing your life today as your Lord and Savior.
- Don’t create the illusion that all things are perfect, but rather that He’s doing a work in you and you continue to trust Him.
Some areas where you may have seen changes are:
• Relationships
• Atmosphere in the home
• Bad habits
Some areas where you are applying God’s Word to your life might be:
• Love and forgiveness
• Fulfillment and peace of mind
• A new perspective on life
• Assurance from fear
• Assurance of eternal life
• Inner peace and new attitudes
• Changing your priorities and goals, forsaking idols
• Surrendering to God vs. being in control
• A new purpose for living
• Fellowship and a sense of belonging
• Inner strength and witnessing
• Being understanding of others
• Surrendering to God vs. being in control