Telling Your Story

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Telling Your Story

• How to give your testimony

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What is a testimony?

• By definition To speak forth in establishing the
  truth about a matter
• The matter The work of Jesus in our lives
• The story of how we came to know Jesus and how
  Hes made a difference in our lives.

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Pauls Testimony (Acts 26)

• 1. Describes his life before meeting Jesus.
• 2. Describes how he met and gave his life over to
  Jesus.
• 3. Describes his life after his conversion.

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Why give your testimony?

• Personal stories are powerful tools in
  evangelism.
• Hearing our stories about how Jesus has changed
  our lives can help others identify a need, and
  come to have a desire for Jesus in their lives,
  too.

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Preparing your testimonyWhy?

• 1 Peter 315 Always be prepared to give an
  answer to everyone who asks you to give the
  reason for the hope that you have
• To be able to clearly and concisely communicate
  the significant and important aspects of your
  story.

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Preparing your testimonyHow?

• 1. Pray
• 2. Begin by writing freely and getting all your
  ideas down on paper. Use Pauls model
• What was your life like before you knew Christ?
• How and why did you yield your life to Christ?
• What happened after you yielded your life to
  Christ?

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Life Before Christ

• Background did you grow up in church? If so,
  what was that experience like? If not, what was
  your original worldview?
• What were your attitudes? Needs? Problems?
• What did your life revolve around? What was most
  important to you?
• Where did you look for security? Peace of mind?
  Happiness? Significance?

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How and why you became Christian

• When did you first hear the gospel?
• What were your initial reactions to Jesus?
• When and why did you begin to feel positively
  about Christianity?
• What was the turning point in your attitude?
• What feelings did you struggle with right before
  your decision?
• What actions did you take to become a Christian?

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Life with Christ

• What changes did you see in your life? Attitudes?
  Actions?
• How long did it take before you noticed any
  changes?
• What does Jesus Christ mean to you now?
• What area of your life has the Lord changed most
  significantly?

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Preparing your testimonyHow?

• 1. Pray
• 2. Begin by writing freely and getting all your
  ideas down on paper. Use Pauls model
• What was your life like before you knew Christ?
• How and why did you yield your life to Christ?
• What happened after you yielded your life to
  Christ?
• 3. Get selective decide which details are
  important to each of the three points.
• 4. Begin writing.

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Dos

• Begin with an attention-getting sentence or
  incident.
• Be specific and give enough details.
• Be realistic.
• Use one or two Scripture verses.
• Finish with a thought provoking question or
  comment.
• Present it in a way that others can personally
  relate to and identify with your story.

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Donts

• Dont use Christian jargon eg. saved, born
  again, sin, repentance, without explaining
  what they mean.
• Dont be vague.
• Dont exaggerate.
• Dont belittle or be negative about other people,
  especially the person/people that youre talking
  to.

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Preparing your testimonyHow?

• 1. Pray
• 2. Begin by writing freely and getting all your
  ideas down on paper. Use Pauls model
• What was your life like before you knew Christ?
• How and why did you yield your life to Christ?
• What happened after you yielded your life to
  Christ?
• 3. Get selective decide which details are
  important to each of the three points.
• 4. Begin writing.

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Preparing your testimony How?

• 5. Edit and rewrite as needed.
• 6. Practice! Practice! Practice!
• Beware of nervous mannerisms
• Beware of your testimony being preachy
• Stick to a time limit
• 7. Ask God to give you opportunities to share
  your testimony and look for openings.
• 8. Update your testimony.

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For more resources

• Check out Staff Corner at www.mitacf.org