Pray Play Say

 

Sharing My Testimony

 

Imagine the situation – you and your friend are in the changing room, the last to leave after a big game. She/He stops you - ‘so you’re a Christian, how did you get involved in that

stuff?' You’ve now got 2 minutes to explain your story.

 

The following tips are to help you structure your story.  Remember it is your story – you own it, it is what has happened to you, yet you need to tell your friend what exactly is different about your story.  You need to make sure that you cover the ‘why’ of following Jesus – what did He do for you!

 

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Tip 1 – Have a good structure

A suggested structure

Testimony Outline: 3 stages.

Before Jesus – Who you were without him

Christ Centred – What it was that drew you to believe?/How you became a Christian/What did Jesus actually achieve for you?

After Jesus – How that affects your life now (outlook, through tough times, ambitions, hopes)

 

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Tip 2 – Personal not preachy!!

I wonder if you’ve ever sat next to someone who has told you their testimony and you just feel as though you’ve been hit over the head with a bible as they shouted and bellowed at you!!

Now listen – I’m guilty of that so this is as much for me as you guys!

Your testimony is your personal story and you’re trying to help your friend see a bit more into your life with Jesus.  Of course you should be challenging, of course you will say things that your friend wont necessarily agree with but you’re not trying to force them to become a Christian through listening to your testimony.

 

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Tip 3 – Don’t use Christian Jargon

Here are some of the words that I used:

- ‘Jesus offer of salvation’

- ‘Jesus had redeemed me by his blood shed on the cross’

- ‘Now I am righteous in God’s eyes’

Now I think I just about understand them 6 years on into my Christian life but imagine my mates from University who had come to listen. I bet they were thinking ‘What the heck is he on about’

So have another look at your testimony and ask yourself – ‘would my friend who knows nothing about Christianity understand that phrase?’.

At the end of the day – your testimony is your story about God’s work in your life so that your friends might be able to see a difference and ask good questions.

Ever heard of the phrase KISS

Keep It Simple Stupid

That’s a key to a good testimony – keep it simple!

 

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Tip 4 – Be honest!

I bet most of you have heard those amazing complete life changing turn around testimony’s.  I remember listening to one guy in church.  He was into drugs, violence, crime and gang warfare and one day he was walking along the beach and picked up a simple tract which talked about Jesus.  At that moment he fell to his knees and committed his life to Jesus and is now a travelling preacher around the world.  Amazing!!

Don’t know about you but when I hear that story I tend to think that my story is miserable in comparison.  So what sometimes happens is I have tried to make it more dramatic by stretching the truth slightly so that people might be wowed!!! 

I know it was stupid of me – yet I’m still tempted to do it even now!! 

Your story is amazing – why?  Because you had turned your back on God and now he has accepted you because of what Jesus has done on the cross.  He has rescued you.  Your story is a story of rescue and is as important and dramatic as the guy who stood up in church. 

Don’t try and make things up.   Don’t stretch the truth – simply be you!! 

 

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Work hard at knowing your testimony so that you’ll be ready when asked a question.  In order to know it why don’t you try and practice it with a mate?