In my last post I shared my personal testimony. This time I would like to share some practical tips for sharing your own personal testimony, or what Alvin Reid likes to call, your "spiritual autobiography." When the enemies of Jesus attempted to silence the witness of the apostles, they said, "We are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). A testimony is simply telling the story of how you became a Christian and what Christ has done in your life since then. This is precisely what Paul did in sharing his testimony. He shared a bit about his life before becoming a Christian (Acts 22:3-5; 26:4-11), how he became a Christian (Acts 22:7-16; 26:12-18), and how his life changed after becoming a Christian (Acts 9:19-22; 22:21; 26:19-20).
Every Christian has a testimony, and every testimony is significant. Furthermore, your testimony is unique. You know better than anyone else the difference that Jesus Christ has made in your life. In his outstanding Evangelism Handbook, Alvin Reid offers the following guidelines for sharing one's testimony:
Every Christian has a testimony, and every testimony is significant. Furthermore, your testimony is unique. You know better than anyone else the difference that Jesus Christ has made in your life. In his outstanding Evangelism Handbook, Alvin Reid offers the following guidelines for sharing one's testimony:
- Write out your testimony, seeking the Spirit's guidance.
- Give adequate but precise details showing how Christ became your Lord and Savior and how Christ meets your daily needs. Make sure you exalt the Christ of your experience more than your experiences.
- Use language the nonbeliever can understand.
- Relive your testimony as you tell it. This will enable you to present it with loving enthusiasm.
- Relate your testimony to the Scriptures, using pertinent verses as they are needed.
- Speak distinctly and in a natural tone, avoiding any mannerisms that might detract from the presentation.
- Be brief (two to three minutes). People are interested in your testimony but not your life story!
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you present Christ so that the unbeliever will want to know Him and will come to know Him personally.
- Share your Christian testimony regularly with other Christian members of your family, then with Christian friends, until it becomes a natural part of your daily conversation. Then share it with your lost friends and others.
- After sharing your testimony, ask, "Has anything like this ever happened to you?" This question is a simple way to move into the gospel presentation.
After sharing these tips, Alvin Reid reminds us, "Jesus said that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us. Let us never be ashamed of telling others what God has done through Christ for us. The more you share your testimony, the more comfortable you will become.... Have confidence that God can use your testimony just as it happened."
If it helps to have an example, scroll down and read my own testimony. If you would like to write out your testimony and have me go over it with you, I'd be happy to do so. Just e-mail me at matt@webstercs.org.