23 - Sharing Your Testimony
In the nations you will be required to give your testimony at least once, and maybe several times. Sharing your testimony is an awesome opportunity to tell others about Jesus and what He means to you.
It’s personal: no one else has had your experiences, and no one else can tell your testimony like you.
It’s powerful: it happened, it can’t be denied
Your testimony is an account of the difference Jesus has made in your life. It is NOT your life-story!
If you have been a Christian since a very young age, or you didn’t have a major salvation experience, focus on a specific issue or difficulty, and how God brought you through it.
Include:
- What happened before I acknowledged God in this situation?
- Why did I turn to God?
- Describe the turning point – what happened?
- How have I changed / how has my view of God changed since this experience?
- What will my future be like, because of this experience?
If you had a very specific salvation experience, or you were dramatically different before you were saved, focus on this.
Include:
- How did I feel/act before becoming a Christian?
- How did I become interested in God?
- Why did I choose to turn to God? What happened?
- How have I changed since becoming a Christian?
- What will my future be like, because I am a Christian?
Do:
- Be flexible. You may only have a few minutes, or half an hour.
- Mention Jesus and the fact that He stood in your place for your sins/sicknesses.
- Practice speaking without notes; the more eye contact you can make with your audience the better.
- Be emotive – use describing words to let your audience into your heart.
Don’t:
- Use big words or jargon.
- Use humour unless you’re sure it will ‘work’. If in doubt, leave it out.
- Dwell on the ‘before’ facts. Stress the way you felt or thought and how that changed.
Really Important:
- Remember that the people you will be speaking to are very different from you in culture and beliefs… but they DO feel hurt, joy, fear, hope etc just the same as you do. USE THIS!! Use feelings words and describe what you were thinking. This will help to break down cultural barriers.