How to Tell Your Testimony
God’s story in your life tells of His love, goodness, and power as He’s redeemed your sin-nature, and redirected your path. You’re learning to set aside idols and selfish ways as you focus on Jesus as the Lord of your life. This is your testimony, and when you share it with others, you are sharing the Gospel of Jesus.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
All people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (), and the wages of sin is death (). God is perfect and holy; we cannot live in His presence with our sin-nature intact. God provides the one way—His own Son—to be reconciled to Him. Jesus’ work on the cross saves us from the consequences of our sin-debt when we trust in Him. His resurrection guarantees believers eternal life!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ Through Your Story
Sharing what God has done in your life tells people about your past life—separated from God. You encountered God, surrendered to Him, and made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life. You trust your future to Him and the promises of His Word—the Bible—and now are living a changed life.
When you share your story, you are sharing the Gospel as you explain how God has taken you from the old life to the new (). We’re all in need of a Savior who offers unrelenting forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Just hearing it can impact others for Christ.
Tell Your Story
Prayerfully ask God how He wants you to tell His story. His Holy Spirit will lead you.
Writing out your story or using an outline helps you recall important details to express your feelings as you walk through this change. It also helps you exclude extraneous thoughts that take away from the most impactful parts of your story.
As a believer, it is your job to share about Jesus, and it is the Holy Spirit’s job to change someone’s heart.
Suggested Testimony Outline
The list below are suggestions to think through as you write out your story. You do not need to answer all of the questions or write them in a bullet-point format. Use whatever method feels comfortable to you as you tell your story. The important part is to include your past life, your encounter with Jesus, and your new life in Him now.
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What was your life like before Christ?
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Did you know anything about Jesus/God/faith?
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How did you feel?
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Was something missing?
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Did you feel comfortable with being “in charge” of your life, or were you looking for something else?
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Did you grow up with a religious background, but never had a personal relationship with God?
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Did anything have a hold on you that kept you from wanting to be different?
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What happened or what made you want to change and go toward Jesus?
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How did you hear about Jesus?
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Was this a miraculous encounter?
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Did you feel convicted about your sins and feel as if you needed to be forgiven by God Almighty?
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Where were you when you decided to give your life to Jesus?
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How did you feel at this time?
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The moment you gave your life to Christ, did anything feel different? If yes, share that experience.
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What are you now experiencing as a result of giving your life to Christ that is different?
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Share what it feels like to have gone from your old life to this new life in Christ.
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Do you feel the weight of your sin lifted?
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Do you feel God's unconditional love for you?
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Do you feel freedom?
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Is your outlook on things more positive or negative now?
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Do you feel less shame?
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Do you feel convicted when you sin?
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Do you feel forgiven when you confess and repent?
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Are you experiencing a thirst for God’s Word and other ways to learn about Him?
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Share about peace, joy, and hope since trusting your life to Christ.
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Do you enjoy fellowship with other believers?
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Maybe these are people you would have never spent time with before.
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Share about your new community/church relationships.
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Note any struggles since accepting Christ.
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How do you rely on God to work through these struggles?
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You may use this space to reinforce that life with Jesus didn’t make all of your problems and struggles disappear, but rather has given you a new perspective and hope.
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Do you enjoy praying, and why?
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Do you enjoy serving others, and why?
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Share what God is currently teaching you in this stage of your Christian faith.
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Explain how you know you have assurance in your salvation in Jesus Christ.
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Prayerfully consider using Scripture to support your story.
Leave space in your story for people to ask questions and start a conversation. You never know how God may be using you to plant seeds to draw them to Himself.-
If they seem interested in knowing more or engaging further in the conversation, you may ask:
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If they have ever had a similar experience.
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What they think about God—what’s their relationship with Him?
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If they’d like to go to church with you or study the Bible with you.
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Is this something they want, too—to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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If they would like to pray about anything.
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If they have no interest in knowing more or furthering the conversation, thank them for listening to the story that has changed your life.
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Suggested Supporting Scripture
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John 6:47
I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. -
John 10:27-29
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. -
John 14:3
When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. -
1 John 5:12-13
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. -
John 5:24
I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. -
Jude 24
Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. -
Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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