What Is A Testimony? 

^“11 They triumphed over him
    by the blood of the Lamb
    and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
   as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:7-11 NIV

In this passage, we learn that God’s people overcame the evil one by the blood of the lamb (Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross) and the word of their testimony. Here are some truths about your testimony.

1. Your testimony reminds you and other people of the power of God in your life.
2. Your testimony reminds Satan of the authority you have over him.

How Do I Write My Story?

In this booklet, I am going to ask you some questions to help you get started in putting together your story. Answer them honestly and openly. Don’t feel like your story has to be like your friend’s story. This is about when you asked Jesus to come into your life and how God has worked in your life since then.

When we share our story, we should:

• Keep it Brief – Be able to tell your story in 45-60 seconds
• Keep it Clear – Stick to one key point.
• Keep it Simple – Avoid “Christianese” talk.
• Keep it Humble – Don’t appear “holier than thou.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Part I - I Was...

For the first part of your testimony, you should spend about one minute speaking about what life was like before you came to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Here are some questions to ponder. What was your life like before you asked Jesus into it? Why did you think you needed to have Jesus in your life?
A few examples might be:

Story #1: You grew up in the church, but your faith wasn’t your own. You were in church, but not necessarily in Christ.  

Story #2: You had an experience that drove you away from God: your parents divorced, or you suffered abuse, and you held that against “god” for not preventing it. As a result, you wanted nothing to do with “god.”

Story #3: You grew up in a family or an environment in which you didn’t have much, if any, exposure to God.  

Take a few minutes to write down the "I was..." portion of your testimony.  Remember, it should be just a few sentences summarizing life without Jesus in your life. 

Part II - Then Jesus...

Next you can spend about a minute or two speaking about what made you decide to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  Here are some questions to ponder. 
How did you commit your life to Jesus Christ? Who told you about Jesus and how to get to Heaven? Where were you? When did this happen?

A couple of examples might be:   

Story #1: Something happened that made you choose faith for yourself. That is to say, something made the story of Christ (that you’d heard all your life) finally sink in. It became your faith and not  your family's faith. 

Story #2: Something happened that brought redemption to the wound you believed God caused. Through counseling, conversation, or a friend, you came to realize that you couldn’t change the past, but God could change your future, and you stepped into his healing arms.

Story #3: Something happened that allowed you to encounter God. You met new friends and later found out they were Christians; stumbled into a church meeting or a Bible study group (more by accident than anything) and next thing you know, you’re responding to the Gospel.

Take a few minutes to write down the "then Jesus..." portion of your testimony. Again, it should be just a few sentences summarizing what made you decide to follow Jesus and give your life to Him.

Part III - Since Then...

For the third part of your testimony, you can spend 1-2 minutes telling about your life since you made a decision to follow Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  It's important to emphasize that following Jesus doesn't make life easier, nor does it take away the challenges we face, but we no longer have to face those challenges alone.  

Here are some questions to ponder.  What does it mean for you to have Jesus in your life now?  How has your life been different now that you know Jesus is in your life?  For example, maybe you've learned to treat people differently, have a better attitude, or know that when you are afraid, you know God is always with you.  
Here are some examples:

Story #1: Though you grew up surrounded by your family’s faith, you are now living out your own faith. You’re far from perfect, but now you make daily choices to live out your faith.

Story #2:  Though your life was once defined by hurt and brokenness, Now you’re living in the restoration. What once was a wound, is now a source of new life, and healing.

Story #3: Though you grew up not knowing about “god,” you now know, and are known by, the Living God!

Take a few minutes to write down the "since then..." portion of your testimony.  While your story may be long and complicated, remember this should be only a few sentences summarizing how your life has been different since you've decided to follow Jesus.

Putting it all together

Take the answers to your questions and write them below in story form so you can share your story from start to finish.  
Here's an example.

(I was...) My name is Ty. I grew up in Honolulu. Before giving my heart to God, my life and heart was empty and lonely.  I was looking for acceptance by being known by others as an athlete or popular.  No matter what I did though, I always felt alone.  

(Then Jesus...) It wasn’t until I heard the testimony of a friend in school whose life I saw had changed dramatically, that Jesus stirred my heart.  She had fallen in love with Jesus.  I didn't know who Jesus was - I thought He was a classmate.  When she told me Jesus was God and she never felt alone anymore, I began to consider trusting God with my life.  I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I went to a church called New Hope, when I prayed and asked God to forgive me of my sin.

(Since then...)  Though I was broken and alone, giving my heart to Jesus has changed my life dramatically.  With Jesus in my life, I have never felt alone again - and I have actually found an amazing family in the church.  Though I still struggle with my doubts, fears, and insecurities, things are getting better as God teaches me how to live my life from His Word – the Bible.  God has never left me alone - and He won't leave you either.  Would you like to receive Him as Lord and Savior?  

Let me encourage you to trust God with your life. He has been faithful to me and has never let me down.  I know He will do the same for you.

• A – Admit you’re a sinner in need of a Savior.
• B – Believe Jesus Christ died for your sin and rose again.
• C – Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

If you want to acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Savior, say a prayer like this one

“Heavenly Father thank You for Jesus. Lord Jesus, thank You that You came, to give Your life in my place. I believe You died and rose from the dead. I believe You are the Son of God who rose again to give me new life. I surrender my life to You and receive You today as my Lord and Savior. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

What do I do after I’ve written my story?

Now it’s time to share your story with your friends and family. I don't remember where I first heard this acrostic, but it has been helpful for me to remember how to be SALT-E in my community - and I think it will be helpful for you too:

S – Start talking. Engage in ordinary conversation.

A – Ask questions. People love to talk about themselves.

L – Listen to them. Be genuinely interested in them and their story.

T – Tell your story. Tell them about what God has done in your life. Use your:

I was…

Then Jesus…

Since then…

E – Encourage them to trust Jesus.

• A – Admit you’re a sinner in need of a Savior.
• B – Believe Jesus Christ died for your sin and rose again.
• C – Confess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Use the space below to write down the people you can SHARE with. Pray for them each day and make time to share your story with them.  

1 –

2 –

3 –

4 –

5 –

Now look for opportunities to invest in people, include them in your conversations, and invite them to come into a relationship with Jesus Christ.