Developing a Personal Testimony

NOTE: This information was gathered & accumulated over years, thru reading various material & setting under godly men.  I do not take credit for this tool that has helped me develop my own testimony, I can only take credit for gathering it together in a way that is beneficial to me.  I do not wish to plagiarize anyone’s individual work, but I am unable to express proper citation due to gathering various notes & scraps of paper from my own study That I accumulated.  I am grateful for all those who have allowed God to use them to help use become better witnesses to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The world may question the reliability of the Bible,
But the world cannot discount
What has happened to you
Since Jesus entered your life

1 John 5:10-13   ¹⁰ The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son.  ¹¹ And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  ¹² He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.  ¹³ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

The Use of the Personal Testimony in Witnessing

1. Your testimony should spotlight Jesus not you.
2. Detail what Jesus has done for all people. (1Corinthians 15, The Gospel)

1 Corinthians 15:1-4  

Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,  ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.  ³ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

3. Tell what God has done for you and continues to do in you, and through you

It creates interest.

It will plant the seed of the Gospel.

v  It takes 7 or more meaningful contacts with Christians sharing their faith before a person accepts Jesus.

You can share the Gospel without sharing your Testimony,

But you cannot share your Testimony without sharing the Gospel

 

The Characteristics of the Personal Testimony

1. Keep it Free of “Churchy” Language

Ø  The world does not understand many of the words used in church

§  Sin – Repent – Saved – Salvation – Righteousness - Holy

§  If you use them define them!

2. Keep it Brief

Ø  No more than 3 to 4 minutes

Ø  This is not a biography of your life

3. Be Clear & Concise
4. Be Excited

Ø  This is the Story of Jesus and How He Saved you à Stress your personal relationship with Christ

5. Exalt Christ                   [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30)

Ø  Present Christ as the center of your testimony, not yourself.

6. Be Courteous & Kind

Ø  Share what happened to you à don’t be oppressive

Ø  Don’t try to force them to make a decision

Ø  The Holy Spirit Convicts them (John 16:8)  and Jesus Saves them (Romans 10:9-10)

7. Must be Outlined well

Ø  Before you received Christ

Ø  How you received Christ

Ø  After you received Christ

Testimonial Examples   ---   Read the Testimony of the Apostle Paul – Acts 22 & Acts 26

• Paul’s primary focus in the Scriptures of Acts was the sharing of the Gospel 

Ø  Twice Paul shared his personal testimony when he was on trial for his life. 

 

Acts 26 - A Biblical Model

                                    Before Verses 4-11

                                    How     Verses 12-20

                                    After    Verses 21-23

Your story has power…

1. It's personal. You don't have to memorize Bible verses, or worry about telling it correctly.
2. It is conversational. It's not a sermon. It can be shared over a cup of coffee or dinner.
3. No one can dispute it. If you have joy, peace, and love in your life because of Christ, it will be evident.
4. It is interesting. It's natural for friends to want to know more about each other. Even if your friend is antagonistic to the Gospel, he/she may still be interested in why you value your relationship with a man named Jesus.

An Outline for the Personal Testimony

Tips on how to Start

1.      Jot down thoughts, ideas, and events (at this point write down everything).

2.      Arrange your thoughts, ideas, and events in a logical (even chronological) order of presentation.

3.      Develop your thoughts, ideas, and events into sentences.

4.      Decide what is most important to sharing your testimony.

5.      Tie the sentences together in a concise, meaningful way.

 

Before you received Christ

1. What things were most important to you? What did your life revolve around?
2. Why were they so important? What basic need were you attempting to fulfill?

Examples: lack of peace, fear of death, something missing, no meaning to life, desire to be in control, loneliness, lack of security, lack of purpose, lack of significance, no real friends, no motivation

3.      How did you try to satisfy that need?

Examples: marriage/family, work, drugs/alcohol, sports/fitness, money, education, hobbies/entertainment, sex, wrong friends

How you received Christ

1. Describe the circumstance that caused you to consider Christ as a solution to your need
2. State specifically the steps you took to become a believer in Christ

Ø  This is where you would share Specific Scripture references  à  Don’t be rote make them personal

 

3. Include the Gospel clearly and briefly (1 Corinthians 15)

Ø  Romans Road               (3:10; 3:23, 5:8; 6:23; 10:9-10; 10:13)

Ø  Ten Commandments     (Exodus 20)

 

v  Focus              Not to Quote Scripture but to know and incorporate in your testimony

All have sinned, penalty of sin, Christ paid the penalty, must make Jesus Lord of your life.

 

After you received Christ

1. Describe how Jesus filled or is filling your need that you stated in the Before section
2. What changes have occurred in your life as a result of accepting Jesus?
3. Focus on the greatest need being met à Eternal Life in Jesus      (John 17:3)
4. What is the Lord teaching you now?
5. How do you know Christ is in your life?

v  Remember you’re not perfect, but you are forgiven and spiritually growing     (I’m a Work in Progress)

 

I Became a Christian as a Young Child

And There Seems to be Little "Dynamic" to Tell…

What should I include?

1. Christian home/family background, people who influenced you, your early Christian experience.
2. How you knew as a child what following Christ meant.
3. Your experience of understanding that you personally needed to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
4. Reasons why God's presence in your life makes a difference now and specific areas in which He is actively working in and through you.

                                             Never Forget you were saved from death, wrath, and hell,
                                                            You’re a living miracle with a story to tell.

                                                 Have Multiple Length Personal Testimonies Prepared

Same story; different lengths depending upon the audience and time available.

1.      Standard version:

Ø  3 to 4 minutes

Ø  For when you meet a new or old acquaintance

Ø  Sunday School or Worship Service Testimonial 

2.      Long Version:

Ø  5 to 15 Minutes

Ø  For testimonials in services or when occasions allow for more specific detail.

Ø  This would revolve around your life story with Christ.

3.      Short version:

Ø  60 to 90 Seconds

Ø  For those occasions when time is of the essence

§  The plane is boarding and you both are heading in different directions.

v  Always, Always, Always

Ø  End with what they must do to be saved (Romans 10:9-10)

Ø  And with an Invitation to respond

                                             Religious Word Conversion Chart

Religious Word                                   Possible Substitute

 

Gospel (1 Corinthians 15)          Jesus died for our sins according the Word of God,

was buried and raised 3 days later

Sin                                           Disobedience, Breaking God’s Law,

                                                Turned my back on God

Substitute/Debt/Penalty             To stand in place of – Jesus was my Substitute on the Cross

                                                Jesus paid the penalty for my (sin) breaking God’s Law

                                                Jesus took the punishment for my (sin) breaking God’s Law

Repent                                     Turn from (sin) breaking God’s Law

and turn to God and obeying God’s Word (Bible)

Forgiveness                             To be pardoned from (sin) Breaking God’s law

Eternal Life (John 17:3)             To have a personal relationship with God/Jesus

Justified                                   Declared Right before Holy God

Believe in Jesus                        Trusted or Relied on Jesus/Christ

Went forward                            Decided to turn my life over to God/Jesus

Under the Blood                        God forgave the wrongs I had done

Saved/Born Again                     Became a Christian, Committed my life to Christ

v  Never Ever Sugar-Coat the Gospel      à Explain It

v  Never Ever Hide the Blood of Jesus    à Explain It

v  Never Ever be Ashamed of the Cross  à Explain It

v  If you use a “Churchy” Word                à Explain It

 

Scripture Memorization for Evangelism

Roman’s Road Gospel Presentation

1. Romans 3:10 as it is written, there is none righteous, not even one
   
   
2. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
   
   
3. Romans 5:8 God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
   
   
4. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
   
   
5. Romans 10:9-10 if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation

6. Romans 10:13 WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED

 

Additional Scriptures helpful for Evangelism

1. Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me
   
   
2. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
   
   
3. John 14:6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
   
   
4. Heb 9:27 it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment
   
   
5. Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.
   
   
6. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
   
   
7. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit
   
   
8. Romans 14:12 each one of us will give an account of himself to God
   
   
9. Acts 4:12 there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved
   
   
10. Matt 11:28-30 ²⁸ Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ³⁰ "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

 

10 Commandments (Exodus 20)

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

Matthew 4:10  ¹⁰ Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

2. You shall not make for yourself any idols.

Acts 15:19-20  ¹⁹ "Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,  ²⁰ but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.

3. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.

Matthew 7:21-23  ¹ "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.  ²² "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?'  ²³ "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and mother.

Ephesians 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  ² HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),  ³ SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

6. You shall not murder.

Matthew 5:21-22  ²¹ "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER ' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.'  ²² "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.

1 John 3:15  ⁵ Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

Matthew 5:27-28  ²⁷ "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY';  ²⁸ but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

8. You shall not steal.

Ephesians 4:28  ²⁸ He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

9. You shall not lie.

Colossians 3:9  ⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

10. You shall not covet.

Romans 7:7  ⁷ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET."

v  Have a Basic Understanding of what each of the Commandments Mean

The Great Commandment
Jesus gave an Expository Sermon on the Ten Commandments of Exodus 20

Matthew 22:36-40  
³⁶ "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"³⁷ And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 
³⁸ "This is the great and foremost commandment. ³⁹ "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' ⁴⁰ "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."

Ø  Commandments 1-4      à         Love your God

Ø  Commandments 5-10    à         Love your Neighbor

 

Daily Prayer Outline

            I've been asked over the years, "how do you pray through-out the week, what's your plan?"  What follows is a simple outline I created several years ago to help me to focus on specific areas of prayer each day. 

It's a way, not the way.  It's a guide that helps me & it maybe useful for you in creating your own plan for daily prayer. 

Some people and situations you will pray for every day, always remain open to the Spirit’s leading. I pray for my Family every day; my Wife & my Children

Remember Prayer & Praise walk Hand-in-Hand

Sunday:

Praise and Worship of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

Prayer by the leading of the Spirit

Revival in Christ’s Church

Monday:

Nation: Awareness of the presence & the blessings of God 

Leaders: President, Congressmen, Representatives, etc.

Soldiers: protection, confusion of the enemy

            State & local government: Governor/Mayor/Legislators

            Police, Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, City workers

            Judicial system: Truth revealed, Justice done; Abortion, Marriage, etc.

            Schools: Teachers/Parents/Students/Administrators

            Other nations

Tuesday:

Your Extended Family:

            Parents, Grandchildren, Uncles & Aunts, Nephews & Nieces, Etc.

            Be specific with names & with prayer request for each person

Wednesday:

            Brothers & Sisters in Christ around the world: 
                        To have Boldness, Fruitfulness in Sharing the Gospel, to be Salt & Light

            International Missionaries

            North America Missionaries

            Seminaries to raise up Pastors, Preachers, Missionaries, Evangelists & Leaders

            Missionaries: Specific Missionaries if known & general prayer for all Missionaries
                        For Boldness, Acceptance of Gospel, Open Doors, Rapid Evangelism,                                    Protection & for Local Leadership to be raised up among the people they                                serve.

Thursday:

          A time of prayer for all those who have asked for you to pray for them specifically & those you said you would pray for them. 

            Be specific in names & requests. This portion of the list will vary & change continually. This list can include family, but should focus on others outside of prayers for Tuesday & Friday 

Friday:

Immediate Family: Husband, Wife, Children

            Be specific with names & with prayer request for each person

Pray for Family Revival

Saturday:

Prayer for your Church: 
                        To Fulfill the Great Commandment & the Great Commission

Pastors, Music Director, Teachers, Deacons, Persons behind scenes & their families

           For Hearts to be transformed, Souls saved, Wayward members to come home

            Revival

            Growth

            Ministries: Men, Women, Seniors, Youth, Evangelism, Outreach

            For your Church to reach your Community & County for Christ

           Pray for other Churches to fulfill the Great Commandment & Great Commission

          Your Local Association & its Director

Prepare your heart for Worship on Sunday

If you did the Praying Part 
Don't forget to do the Praising Part

Scriptures on Prayer

Luke 5:15-16  

¹⁵ the news about [Jesus] was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.  ¹⁶ But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

Matthew 6:5-13   

⁵ "When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

⁶ "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  ⁷ "And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 

⁸ "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

⁹ "Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 
¹⁰ 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 
¹¹ 'Give us this day our daily bread. 
¹² 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
¹³ 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' 

1 John 5:11-15   

¹¹ the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 

¹² He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.  ¹³ These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 

¹⁴ This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

Romans 8:26-28   

²⁶ the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  ²⁷ and [God the Father] who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because [the Spirit] intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  ²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God,

Philippians 4:4-7  

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  ⁵ Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:14-18   

¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;  ¹⁵ and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.  ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 

¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.  ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

 

 

Christian, Is Christ Jesus Your Life or Just "In" Your Life?

Christian, is Christ Jesus your Life or just "in" your life?
Before you answer consider this; we have people in our lives that come and go based upon either our terms for their entry into our lives or their terms of entry of our lives into theirs. I could drop by unannounced but you would prefer I set up an appointed time of arrival and prefer I don't wear out my welcome.
Many people treat Jesus in this same way. They want Jesus in their lives, but only on their own terms; when it's convenient. They want to drop in for a visit with Jesus, when it is convenient for them & they'll call on Jesus when they want Him to come over and address some much needed issues, but only on their terms. They act as if Jesus has worn out His welcome in their life.
If your a Believer, a Christian, understand this; Christ is your Life. Christ moved in on the inside, He took up residence, and gave Life to your dead soul.
We were dead in our sins, helpless & hopeless. Christ died for our sins, He was buried and three days later He was raised from the grave to make our Salvation possible, This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News of God for all mankind.
By God's grace through faith if you have believed, turning to God and from your sin, and believed the Gospel, confessing Jesus as Lord of your Life and believing God raised Him from the Dead you are forgiven of your sins, given eternal life, given an eternal relationship with God and Jesus, whom He sent. Those dead in sins thru faith are given the Life of Christ.
Christian, you were dead in your sins. Now, as a believer, you have been crucified with Christ, you are to reckon yourself dead to your sin and dead to yourself. You have been bought by the Blood of Christ on the Cross. You have been raised to walk in newness of Life in Christ. He is in you and you are in Him.
Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." 
The Bible in Galatians 2:20 declares the anthem cry of everyone who believes;   "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."
Christ does not tolerate the idea of being just some addition to the life you live, He demands your life be His life.  Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 16:24-27, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS." 
Is Christ in your life as a matter of your convenience?
Or, is Christ your Life as a matter of necessity?
Christian, I pray the latter for you?

Book Recommendations:
I don't often recommend books, because I fear far to many believers are reading recommended books rather than their Bibles.  But, in this instance I will recommend two books, recommended to me by Dr. Ron Lynch of Life out of Death Ministries, I know that these have begun to change my time with my Lord, my Bible reading and my prayer time. I know they will change yours as well. 

1) Bone of His Bone, by F. J. Huegel

• ISBN-10: 0875086896
• ISBN-13: 978-0875086897
• 
  

2) Victory in Christ, by Charles Trumbull

ISBN-10: 0875085334

• ISBN-13: 978-0875085333
• 
  

Blessings,

Pastor Eric 

Galatians 2:20 

Don't Forget Church on Your Vacation

            Summer is almost upon us.  It’s amazing how fast this year is moving, in just a little while our High School Senior will graduate, finalizing a milestone in their lives.  Our children and youth are looking to some summer time fun and maybe some vacation time, either here at home or somewhere on some distant shore or even in the foothills of the mountains. 

            Remember as this time of year brings to mind long awaited vacations, we never take a vacation from God.  As we all scatter to the four-winds plan out your vacation time to include some “God-time.”  It is amazing how many churches are around vacation spots such as the beach and yes even in the mountains.  Make your vacation special by planning on visiting a church.  The Scriptures are clear regarding our Church time in Hebrews 10:23-25 it tell us to,

²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

We need to take to heart this message, we know by the signs of the times it want be long till Jesus comes, we are to gather with fellow believers to encourage one another.

            Be intentional when planning your vacations to visit a Church.  Many Churches have websites so you can check and see if they are of like-minded-faith.  I promise you if you go, God will have a message for you and you will discover there are Bible-believing-Baptist even in vacation hot-spots. Take it as an opportunity to greet them in love from a Sister-Church in the Faith from Startex, South Carolina named Tucapau. And don’t be surprised if they ask you to “say that again…can you spell that again.”

            May God bless you as you seek to serve the Lord.  Remember, no matter where you go, there you are, and so is God.

Blessings,
Pastor Eric
Galatians 2:20