Lesson #13. SHAPING YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY.

KEY TRUTH: A workshop approach to help disciples write out a simple personal testimony and share it with unsaved friends.

I. The Importance of Sharing Your Personal Testimony.

1. THE LORD JESUS HAS CALLED US TO BE HIS WITNESSES: After His resurrection, Jesus called His followers to proclaim the gospel to all people in every nation (see Lk.24:46-49). Sharing your testimony with others is a matter of obedience and is therefore a must for all Christians. The fact is that you may well be ‘the only Jesus some unbelievers will ever read’.
2. YOUR TESTIMONY IS YOUR OWN STORY OF HOW YOU RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL: When giving your testimony you tell others how you came to trust in Christ alone for your salvation. You tell how God opened your eyes to recognise that you were a sinner in need of a Saviour. All testimonies are therefore special.
3. YOUR STORY WILL HELP PEOPLE TO CONNECT TO THE TRUTH YOU SHARE: You are sharing with others about different events from your birth to your new birth and beyond. It gives you the opportunity to recall how God worked in your life to bring you to faith and repentance. Remember that your testimony is a form of praise that honours your Saviour. Many people are fearful of sharing with non-believers. However, when they do share, it usually fills their hearts with joy.

II. How God Used One Man’s Personal Testimony in the Scriptures.

1. THE RECORD OF A COMPLETE TURN-AROUND: Paul was not just a rejecter of Christ but he persecuted believers as recorded – 3 But Saul (later known as Paul) was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison (Acts 8:3). Yet he was transformed after he met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9:1-18). His personal story is given in detail. However, he gave appropriate parts of his testimony on many occasions.
2. PAUL’S BOLD TESTIMONY TO THE JEWS IN JERUSALEM: Paul’s conversion to Christ was well-known and provoked a riot while he was visiting the temple (see Acts 21:27-40). He offered his defence before his countrymen and bore testimony to his conversion after meeting Christ in a vision. They listened intently until he spoke of God’s call – Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21 c.f. Acts 22:1-21). He crafted his testimony to make its greatest appeal to his Jewish audience.
3. PAUL’S RELEVANT TESTIMONY BEFORE KING AGRIPPA: Paul was aware that Agrippa had made a study of Judaism and was not unacquainted with the Christian beliefs. He constructed his testimony to focus on the resurrection of Christ knowing that the king was grappling with the issue of life after death (see Acts 26:8 & 23 c.f. Acts 26:1-29). It reinforces the truth that different aspects of your life story can be shared to meet listeners at their point of need.
4. PAUL USED HIS TESTIMONY TO UNDERSCORE THE GOSPEL: To connect to his audience, Paul spoke of his religious zeal and his call to the nations (see Gal.1:13-16; 1 Tim.1:12-16). Other times he related his Jewish credentials (see 2 Cor.11:22-23; Phil.3:3-6). Paul learned to adapt his testimony to make its greatest impact on his hearers.
5. WRITING OUT YOUR BASIC TESTIMONY CAN MAKE YOUR STORY MORE USABLE: Writing out your personal story clarifies it in your own mind. Peter challenged his readers – 15 but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behaviour in Christ may be put to shame (1 Pet.3:15-16). Jesus gave a sobering promise – 8 I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But the one who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God (Lk.12:8-9). You should be prepared to share your testimony at all times.

III. Helpful Hints in Shaping Your Testimony.

1. KEEPING IT IN PERSPECTIVE: It is a mistake to think that for a testimony to be good it must record dramatic changes. Audiences have people with vastly different experiences of life and so all testimonies will have particular relevance to someone.
   It is also wrong to conclude that you lack the public speaking skills to give an effective testimony. It is the diversity of speaking abilities that underscores the genuineness of each person’s witness to Christ.
2. ASK THE LORD FOR GUIDANCE: The Holy Spirit specialises in helping us to know what to say and when (see Mk.13:11; Jn.14:26). Pray that He will give you wisdom and clarity in what to include in your testimony and what to leave out.
3. LET A SEASONED CHRISTIAN ASSIST YOU: By writing your thoughts down, others can help you to clarify or include information and suggest aspects that might be distracting or confusing. The end result will increase your confidence in sharing your testimony.

IV. Getting Your Thoughts Together

A BASIC OUTLINE TO GUIDE YOU: It is best to have a basic outline to help you tell your story as a tribute to your Saviour and Lord.

MY LIFE BEFORE CHRIST:

1. Introduce yourself to the audience. You may be able to begin with a thought provoking question to gain the attention of the listeners.
2. Include a thumbnail sketch of your life: relevant details of your family, lifestyle, religious exposure, and accomplishments.
3. Explain your story in such a way that people can identify with your experiences such as lack of peace or purpose, a crisis that surfaced your need of a Saviour.
4. Don’t share details about your life that will distract people away from Christ to yourself.
5. Avoid negative statements about people, other churches, or organisations. Don’t use jargon that non-Christians will not relate to.

COMING TO CHRIST:

1. What were the circumstances that caused you to consider following Jesus?
2. Share about how you actually trusted Christ. What was your frame of mind? How did you give your life to Jesus?
3. Give a BRIEF explanation of the gospel but don’t preach at the congregation. John 3:16 is a great verse to use.
4. You could include (your favourite) a Bible verse but no more than three. The preacher will give the sermon!

SINCE COMING TO CHRIST:

1. Give an example of how God has met your specific need—either physical or emotional—since you accepted Jesus.
2. What is the most striking change? (Don’t imply that Jesus eliminates every problem).
3. What is the basis of your assurance of salvation and a home in heaven.
4. Share about what part of your relationship with God you’re most grateful for today.

GROUP DISCUSSION:

1. How can your personal testimony be used to share the gospel?
2. HOMEWORK: Write your testimony out to be shared with the group next week.