Day 14 - 40 Days of Focus: Evangelism
Time to Write Your Own Story
What makes a good testimony? If you read Acts 26:1-29 you will see an example of how the apostle Paul gave his testimony in the midst of great pressure. Paul talked about his early life, before meeting Christ - both the good and the bad points. Then he talked about how Christ revealed Himself to him and his response. Its good to devote about 40% to "Before Christ", about 20% to the conversion experience, and about 40% to "After Christ". People need to know what kind of a difference Christ made in your life. Be honest and authentic. Don't try to make it look better than it is, or to make your past sound worse than it really was. God will bless a testimony that is truthful. People are usually pretty good at spotting phony things.
1 - Realize the Power of Your Christian Testimony
First and foremost - remember - there is power in your testimony! Revelation 12:11 says we overcome our enemy be the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.
2 - Study an Example of a Testimony from the Bible
Read Acts 26. Here the Apostle Paul gives his testimony.
3 - 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?
4 - 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 did you try to satisfy your inner needs? (Examples of inner needs are loneliness, fear of death, insecurity. Possible ways to fill those needs include work, money, drugs, relationships, sports, sex.)
• 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.
5 - Important Tips to Remember
• Stick to the point. Your conversion and new life in Christ should be the main points.
• Be specific. Include events, genuine feelings and personal insights that clarify your main point. This makes your testimony tangible - something others can relate to.
• Be current. Tell what is happening in your life with God now, today.
• Be honest. Don't exaggerate or dramatize your life for effect. The simple truth of what God has done in your life is all the Holy Spirit needs to convict others of their sin and convince them of his love and grace.
6 - Things to Avoid
Stay away from "Christianese" phrases. These "foreign" or "churchy" words can alienate listeners and readers and keep them from identifying with your life. Here are some examples:
Avoid using "born again"
Instead use:
• spiritual birth
• spiritual renewal
• to come alive spiritually
• given a new life
Avoid using "saved"
Instead use:
• rescued
• delivered from despair
• found hope for life
Avoid using "lost"
Instead use:
• heading in the wrong direction
• separated from God
• had no hope
Avoid using "Gospel"
Instead use:
• God's message to man
• the good news about Christ's purpose on earth
Avoid using "sin"
Instead use:
• rejecting God
• missing the mark
• falling away from the right path
• a crime against God's law
• disobedience to God
Avoid using "repent"
Instead use:
• admit a wrong
• change one's mind, heart or attitude
• make a decision to turn away
• turn around
• a 180 degree turn from what you were doing
What makes a good testimony? If you read Acts 26:1-29 you will see an example of how the apostle Paul gave his testimony in the midst of great pressure. Paul talked about his early life, before meeting Christ - both the good and the bad points. Then he talked about how Christ revealed Himself to him and his response. Its good to devote about 40% to "Before Christ", about 20% to the conversion experience, and about 40% to "After Christ". People need to know what kind of a difference Christ made in your life. Be honest and authentic. Don't try to make it look better than it is, or to make your past sound worse than it really was. God will bless a testimony that is truthful. People are usually pretty good at spotting phony things.
1 - Realize the Power of Your Christian Testimony
First and foremost - remember - there is power in your testimony! Revelation 12:11 says we overcome our enemy be the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.
2 - Study an Example of a Testimony from the Bible
Read Acts 26. Here the Apostle Paul gives his testimony.
3 - 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?
4 - 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 did you try to satisfy your inner needs? (Examples of inner needs are loneliness, fear of death, insecurity. Possible ways to fill those needs include work, money, drugs, relationships, sports, sex.)
• 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.
5 - Important Tips to Remember
• Stick to the point. Your conversion and new life in Christ should be the main points.
• Be specific. Include events, genuine feelings and personal insights that clarify your main point. This makes your testimony tangible - something others can relate to.
• Be current. Tell what is happening in your life with God now, today.
• Be honest. Don't exaggerate or dramatize your life for effect. The simple truth of what God has done in your life is all the Holy Spirit needs to convict others of their sin and convince them of his love and grace.
6 - Things to Avoid
Stay away from "Christianese" phrases. These "foreign" or "churchy" words can alienate listeners and readers and keep them from identifying with your life. Here are some examples:
Avoid using "born again"
Instead use:
• spiritual birth
• spiritual renewal
• to come alive spiritually
• given a new life
Avoid using "saved"
Instead use:
• rescued
• delivered from despair
• found hope for life
Avoid using "lost"
Instead use:
• heading in the wrong direction
• separated from God
• had no hope
Avoid using "Gospel"
Instead use:
• God's message to man
• the good news about Christ's purpose on earth
Avoid using "sin"
Instead use:
• rejecting God
• missing the mark
• falling away from the right path
• a crime against God's law
• disobedience to God
Avoid using "repent"
Instead use:
• admit a wrong
• change one's mind, heart or attitude
• make a decision to turn away
• turn around
• a 180 degree turn from what you were doing
posted by pastordan at 8:02 AM
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