CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY
Every Christian should be ready to acknowledge and faithfully give an account of their salvation experience.1 Peter 4:5, "But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead."
What is a Christian Testimony?
Answer: A Christian testimony is generally a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. It is a public statement based on a Christian's collective experience of revelation, and is usually given out during worship meetings. However, a one-on-one conversation is also in line with our everyday activities. We are to be ready at the prompting of the Holy Spirit to tell others about the wonderful news about Jesus, the Son of God.
Skeptics may debate the validity of Scripture or argue the existence of God, but no one can deny your personal experiences with him. When you tell your story of how God has worked a miracle in your life, or how he has blessed you, transformed you, lifted and encouraged you, perhaps even broken and healed you, no one can argue or debate it. You go beyond the realm of knowledge into the realm of relationship with God.
Spend Time in Thought Preparation - There are a few things to consider before you start writing your testimony. Think about your life before you met the Lord. What was going on in your life leading up to your conversion? What problems or needs were you facing at the time? How did your life change after that?
Start with a Simple 3-Point Outline - A three-point approach is very effective in communicating your personal testimony. The outline focuses on before you trusted Christ, how you surrendered to him, and the difference since you've been walking with him.
- Before:
Simply tell what your life was like before you surrendered to Christ. What were you searching for before coming to know Christ? What was the key problem, emotion, situation or attitude you were dealing with? What motivated you? What were your actions? - How:
How were you converted? Simply tell the events and circumstances that caused you to consider Christ as the solution to your searching. Take time to identify the steps that brought you to the point of trusting Christ. Where were you? What was happening at the time? What people or problems influenced your decision? - Since:
How has your life in Christ made a difference? How has his forgiveness impacted you? How have your thoughts, attitudes and emotions changed? Share how Christ is meeting your needs and what a relationship with him means to you now.
Every Christian should be ready to give their testimony. Prepare to give an account to the world in which you live.
Write out your testimony. This will give you time to think between sentences as to how best to relate the most important story of your life. As you write, ask the Holy Spirit to again make known the wonders of God's love. The Holy Spirit convicted you of your sin when you came to him the first time, now he is ready to help you transmit that story to others.
It would be great for you to be able to tell your salvation experience and what it means to you now without reading "your story." However, the Holy Spirit will use you and your testimony to bless others whether you read it or tell it as a face-to-face conversation. You are not on your own. The Counselor and Peacemaker is with you!
May God bless you as you give an account of how Jesus saved you and how He has blessed your life.
