In our Sunday School class we have been teaching on Evangelism and Missions that comes from the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus told His disciples to make disciples, and detailed two specific periods in a person’s life – from birth to a conversion, and then the conversion till death.
Jesus said to make disciples by first sharing the Gospel till that person repents and accepts Jesus as their Savior. Then we are to teach them everything Jesus commanded which will make us more Christ like.
This week we specifically talked about personal Evangelism and how we sometimes need to share our testimony for an unbeliever to better understand their need for a Savior. I believe in today’s world we do not share our testimonies enough. And why would that be – either we are not associating with lost people, or we are not prepared to share the greatest thing that could happen to us on this earth.
So our goal was to better prepare ourselves by understanding how to write your testimony.
Testimony – means to bear witness
-Legal – your experience, knowledge or observation of a specific event or situation
-Spiritual – a personal account of what God has done in your life.
I believe there are at least seven reasons to share your testimony.
- Your story is unique. Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic – it should just detail how God has changed your life. Focus on the facts you think are important to your audience.
- God tells us to share. In 1 Peter 3:15-16 Peter says to always be ready to share why you have the hope of Jesus within you. It is not our Pastor’s job to share our own story of salvation – it is ours.
- It creates humbleness and transparency in the church. When we share our story we realize we have a common thread – we all are dependent on God.
- You become a resource for others. There is something about your unique story that might just help someone else with a struggle they are having. They just need to hear of someone else who has walked through that valley or can lean on each other when we are in valleys of life.
- Sharing your testimony provides courage – to you and the hearer.
- An unbeliever can argue the validity of the Bible, but they can’t argue how God made a change in your life by sharing your own testimony.
- It glorifies God. see 1 Peter 4:11
We can share our testimonies from three stages of preparedness:
Un Prepared | Semi Prepared | Prepared
Our testimony should have three phases in our lives. One aspect we might want to spend more time on than the others – depending on your audience and acceptable amount of time to share. Typically prepare for 2 to 3 minutes, and you can always adjust your time from there.
Before – who were you before God saved you? What was your life like? How did you act and who were your influences.
Conversion or Salvation experience – what experience did you have accepting Jesus as your savior? Where were you? What made you repent of your sins? Who helped you through this process?
After – what changes has God made in your life since you accepted Him as your Savior? What habits are different? How are you maturing as a disciple of Jesus?
What aspects would you add to help prepare your testimony?
How would you encourage others to prepare and share their testimony?
What encouragement do you need to prepare and share your testimony?