Ministries

Share Your Life


 

Sharing Your Personal Testimony

I. What IS a personal testimony?

Telling how you came to know Christ, sharing with someone how Christ has changed your life.

II. Why should I share my testimony? 

  1. To be obedient to the command of Christ. — Acts 1:8
  2. To demonstrate the power of God in changing your life. — 2 Corinthians 5:17
  3. To demonstrate the faithfulness of God in answered prayer.
  4. To demonstrate the love of God.

III. Is there an example in the Bible?

An example of Paul's personal testimony is found in Acts 22 and Acts 26. He based his testimony on the following points: 

  1. His life before becoming a Christian. — Acts 22:3-5; 26:4-11
  2. His salvation experience. — Acts 22:7-16; 26:12-18
  3. His life after becoming a Christian. — Acts 9:19-22; 22:21; 26:19-20

IV. What should I include in my personal testimony?

  1. Your life before becoming a Christian.
  2. How you realized your need for Christ.
  3. When and how you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior.
  4. Specific ways Christ has changed your life since becoming a Christian.
  5. What the Lord is teaching you now.

V. I became a Christian as a young child and there seems to be little "dynamic" to tell… what should I include?

  1. Christian home and family background, people who had an influence on you, and your early Christian experience.
  2. How you knew as a child what following Christ meant.
  3. Your experience of understanding that you personally needed to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
  4. Reasons why God's presence in your life makes a difference now, and specific areas in which He is actively working in and through you.

VI. Can you give me some tips on things I should do in giving my personal testimony?

DO begin your testimony with an attention-getting sentence. Examples:

  • "I used to think I really knew what was going on in life. Boy, was I wrong!"
  • "I used to be afraid of dying, but not anymore."
  • "I grew up in a church but did not understand its purpose until a few years ago."
  • DO end your testimony with a decision question. Examples:
  • "And that's how I became a Christian. Do you understand what I have said?"
  • "Do you feel you have come to know Christ yet, or are you still on the way?"
  • DO adjust your testimony so others can identify with you. Identify with weaknesses and needs (as honestly as you can).
  • DO give enough details to arouse and keep interest.
  • DO use scripture. Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16,17.
  • DO present Christ as the center of your testimony, not yourself, Do not dwell on your past.
  • DO stress the personal relationship you have with Christ.

VII. Are there any "Don'ts" in giving my testimony?

  • DON'T use "church" and "Christian" talk. Example: Explain sin as disobedience to God. "Salvation" and "being saved" must be explained as the willing acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s only means of entering heaven (Savior), and a willingness to follow God’s guidelines for life (Lord).
  • DON'T be too wordy. (Three to four minutes is adequate.)
  • DON'T avoid the point—Christ is the answer to a new life.
  • DON'T overemphasize how bad you were before coming to know Christ.
  • DON'T use words that are general ("it was just a fantastic experience," "I felt great," etc.). Be specific ("I became aware that God loved me as an individual," etc.).
  • DON'T mention church denominations, groups, or people in a derogatory manner, even if you disagree with them strongly.
  • DON'T make statements that you know will cause an argument.
  • DON'T give the impression that the Christian life is a bed of roses and that you are now perfect. Paint an accurate picture. Christ said we could have an abundant life, but He didn't promise it would always be easy.
  • DON'T speak in a judgmental or critical way. Convey an attitude of love and acceptance.

VIII. Your Story Can Move Others to Christ

(The following was taken rom Sharing Christ When You Feel You Can't by Daniel Owens, copyright (c) 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Ill., 1-800-635-7993.)

Your story has power…

  1. It's personal. You don't have to memorize Bible verses, or worry about telling it correctly.
  2. It is conversational. It's not a sermon. It can be shared over a cup of coffee or after a round of golf.
  3. No one can dispute it. If you have joy, peace, and love in your life as a result of knowing Christ, that will be evident.
  4. It is interesting. It's natural for friends to want to know more about each other. Even if your friend is antagonistic to the Gospel, he/she may still be interested in why you value your relationship with a man named Jesus.
Email:mike.metcalf@crownpeakbaptist.com
Phone:970-285-7946