Why Prepare One?

In his first letter, Peter challenges us in this manner: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

One of the most effective tools for sharing your faith is the explanation of how Jesus Christ gave you eternal life and how He has enriched your life. The Apostle John wrote, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard” (1 John 1:3). John was testifying of his relationship to Jesus Christ.

When Paul stood before King Agrippa (Acts 26), he told him simply, logically, and clearly about his life before salvation, how he met Christ, and what his life was like after conversion. Paul’s testimony takes three or four minutes to read aloud in a conversational manner. Your goal will be a testimony that is three to five minutes long.

Although you will be writing your testimony, the purpose is not to memorize it and give it verbatim. The purpose is to help you express your experience with words so your hearer can understand what has happened to you. The choice of the right words, the flow of your testimony, and knowing how to begin and how to end are all important.

As you begin this project, ask the Lord for wisdom and insight in just how to share your testimony.

I. General Outline

A. Your Background:

1. What were you like before you trusted Christ? (Include good and bad aspects of life).

2. What did you do before you trusted Christ?

3. Why did you do the things you did? (describe heart attitudes?)

4. You do not need to hang out all of your dirty laundry. Self-centered, impatient,and angry describe the heart. Immoral or wrong may describe an activity. Evil should never be glorified or given more time than all else.

B. Your Conversion:

1. What happened?

2. Who, what, when, where, and why?

C. What’s new:

1. What’s different now? (two or three benefits)

2. What don’t you do now that you once did?

II. Testimony Guidelines

A. You want to be listened to, so be interesting:

1. Work on wording and flow of thought.

2. Don’t use religious / church words that non-Christian will not understand. (See section IV Jargon to avoid).

3. Be brief. (three to five minutes when spoken).

4. Be conversational (personal, not professional).

5. Use “I” and “me” not “you” (Share what happened to you. Do not preach what they need to do. If the testimony is prepared well, they will know).

6. Human interest is good. Humor is too, but should not be included when going to another culture and language. It translates poorly.

7. Word pictures create interest. Describe a scene to be visualized by the audience.

B. You want to be understood, so be logical. A casual yet logical presentation
can be compelling: (see section II General Outline)

1. Talk about before you were saved (struggles within, loneliness, lack of peace, absence of love, unrest, fear).

2. Talk about the decision that revolutionized your life.

3. Talk about the change, the difference Christ has made in your life since your salvation.

4. Keep it simple (“Bill Jones and three friends” rather than naming them all).

C. You want the moment of your conversion to be clear, so be specific:

1. Don’t be vague regarding how you became a Christian.

2. Speak of Christ not of the church name, denomination, or speaker’s name.

3. Refer to the decision you come to.

4. Refer to the moment and time you received the Lord.

5. Emphasize faith, not feeling or human efforts (works).

6. Try your best to describe precisely what you did, or what you prayed, or what you said.

7. Communicate the fact of sin, the penalty of sin, Christ’s payment of the penalty, and the need to trust Christ.

D. You want your testimony to be used, so be practical:

1. Be human and be honest.

2. Don’t make promises that may not be true (All your problems will end if…).

3. Make your last sentence, your greatest blessing from being saved (e.g. “But the greatest benefit is that I know I have eternal life”).

E. You want your testimony to produce results, so be genuine:

1. Smile, be friendly and sincere.

2. Let enthusiasm flow freely.

Appendix A: Jargon to AvoidAvoid church jargon from left column. Instead use more commonly understood phrases from the right column.

Appendix B: How Can You Use Your Testimony?

Small parts of your testimony can be inserted naturally in a lot of conversations. When a person mentions shyness or fear, you could mention how you had the same problem, but thankfully Christ has made a big difference. Just give credit to God for the lousy stuff He has taken out of your life or the positive qualities He has built into your life. Simply refer to the event where it all began to change. Offer to tell more if they wish.

The middle portion can be used to explain the gospel to anyone who wants to know how to trust Christ. If you are not sure you will remember all the details, keep a copy of it in your Bible, pocketbook, or elsewhere to refer to.

Use the combined testimony as a quick, three minute way to tell others about Jesus when the opportunity arises.

You can make an appointment to share with someone over a cup of coffee.

You could write out your testimony and send it to a friend by email or a letter.

You are prepared if someone asks you to explain what is different about your life. I have had folks do that at all sorts of events including parties, plane trips, funerals, weddings, dinners, and VBS closing programs. Think about it. Anytime where people have to sit and keep each other company is a time w hen you can build relationships. Some of the time others will share a need or express interest in spiritual things. Some of the time they will respond positively to an offer to talk about what changed your life.

If you have a web site, you could put your testimony or an explanation of the gospel online. Make sure you put a link (we can show you how) to the church web site’s page on the gospel so they have a place to go for more information if they wish.