Preparing Your Personal Testimony
Your personal testimony is a natural introduction into sharing the Gospel of Christ. Using the following guidelines will help you develop your own story of what God has done in your life.
Your personal testimony is a tool that God can use to minister to others. You have your own story to tell, and in the telling it, Jesus Christ can be lifted up and glorified and his people can be built up.
God’s power shows up best in “weak” people. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5: ”And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Ask God to give you insights into how He has worked in your life.
Don’t think of sharing with a group, but rather, with an individual. You do not need to be a speaker, just one who has the riches of Christ and now wants to share those riches with another person.
As you write, avoid Christian terminology. If you must use some, be sure to explain what you mean by it. The non-Christian is not familiar with Bible language. Avoid using denominational names as well.
To help you as you prepare, read Acts 22, 23 and 26. Note Paul’s “before”, “how”, and “after”. Guide your testimony around these three areas.
Before I received Christ, I lived and thought this way – Spend a brief time on “before.” This is not a biography from childhood. It is best to start at a time in life which relates to your experience with Christ. If you became a Christian as a child, thank God for the years you have known Him. We often think that the only exciting testimonies are those of people who have experienced much sin. Remember—anything God does in a life is exciting. Christ did not experience sin, but He did relate to people.
How I received Christ – be specific. The Holy Spirit often convinces people that they should receive Christ when others are sharing how they received Him. However, many people cannot remember the exact circumstances of receiving Christ. Remembering the when is not as important as the assurance that Christ is in your life.
Now with Christ in my life, as I trust Him, I live and think this way – be practical. Explain how you are continuing to grow as you learn to trust Christ as your Lord and Savior. Some areas where you may have seen changes are:
Relationships with: spouse, children, boss, employees, friends, etc.
Atmosphere in the home
Adjusting to changes
Goals in life, changing priorities
Inner peace
Bad habits
Being in control vs. surrendering to God
New attitudes
Be realistic - don’t create the illusion that all things, including you are perfect. Share how Christ is the problem-solver, meeting all your insufficiencies.
Be positive. Explain how you are applying God’s word to your life. Some ideas:
God’s love
God’s forgiveness
Fulfillment
Peace of mind
New perspective on life
Freedom from fear
Assurance of eternal life
Purpose for living
God’s direct counsel from His Word
Fellowship
Inner strength
Witnessing
Sense of belonging
Understanding of others
Surrender to God
We suggest you wear to church the clothes in which you will be baptized. Please wear a plain, dark colored t-shirt or your Bethany Road t-shirt*. You may wish to bring with you:
A change of clothes for after the baptism
Plastic bag for wet clothes
Slip on shoes to wear before your baptism
Hair dryer or toiletries (optional)
* We do like for everyone to be baptized in a Bethany Road t-shirt! We will provide one for you if you do not have one.