Caring Enough

to Help Others

Testimony - tips to narrow it down

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Do you want to tell others about how Christ has changed your life?

Do your thoughts and words get muddled?

Here are some tips to help you narrow it down.

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Some ideas to get you thinking...

Before I received Christ, I lived and thought this way:

• What did my life revolve around?
• What issues or things were important to me?
• What did I think of God? Of Jesus?
• On what did I rely for security and happiness?

How I received Christ: Paint a "word picture" of the situation.

• Where were you?
  • Alone in your room?
  • Driving in your car?
  • At a church service?
• What thoughts went through your mind?
• What feelings did you struggle with just before your decision?
• How did you yield your life to Christ? What did you say?

After I received Christ, these changes took place:

• Did you struggle with your faith?
• How did God answer prayer, or strengthen you in difficult situations?
• How are you different than you were before?
• How have the changes in your life influenced others around you?

Do's and Don'ts of a strong personal testimony

Do's of a strong testimony

1. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom and guidance as you write (James 1:5-6).
2. Follow the three-part outline shown above (A. Your life before Christ, B. How You came to know Him, and C. How things are now).
3. Emphasize the final point (how things are now) if you became a Christian as a small child.
4. Begin with an interesting, attention-getting sentence and close with a strong conclusion. Make sure you tie everything together. Include relevant, thought-provoking secular facts and experiences.
5. Write in such a way that others will feel associated with you in past and present experiences. Talk about things others can relate to.
6. Give enough details to arouse interest.
7. Use at least one, but at the most two, Scripture verses.
8. Edit carefully and rewrite as often as necessary.
9. Have someone else look it over, and welcome their comments, even if some of those are critical. It may be difficult to accept criticism, but seeking sincere feedback is a sign of wisdom. If your church is already a part of this program have your Internet Evangelism Coordinator look it over.

Don't Do

1. Don't use Christian "jargon." Avoid the following words, which do not communicate truth to the average non-Christian. Though these words and phrases are precious to us, they are often misunderstood and consequently ridiculed by non-Christians: saved, convicted, converted, born again, sin, repentance
2. Don't be too wordy, beat around the bush, or emphasize how bad you used to be. People feel uncomfortable if you dwell on it.
3. Don't speak in glittering generalities or superlatives. Avoid words like "wonderful," "glorious,"
4. Don't mention church denominations, especially in a negative way. Never speak critically or negatively about any other individual or group.
5. Don't give the impression that the Christian life is a "bed of roses."
6. Don't preach to people. Make it a testimony, not a "preachimony."

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Further Reading:

Caring Enough to Tell Others about Jesus