Guidelines for Writing Your Testimony

Need help writing your testimony? Check out the creative interface at http://www.5clicks.com.

And, here are a few things to think about when preparing your testimony:

Remember: Effective communication is usually brief, to the point, and clear.

What to Do:

PRAY — Ask God to give you wisdom.
Effective testimonies are those in which the person speaking is keenly aware that in order for something eternal to happen as they are speaking for God, God has to speak through them.
Be brief
Be realistic — don’t exaggerate.
Remember the purpose in telling your story . . . you are seeking to point others to Christ, not showcase yourself and your activities.

What Not to Do:

Make statements that reflect negatively on any church organization or individual.
Speak or write in a preachy manner (a “pre-Christian” wants to hear about a faith that is real)
Use vague ore religious terms like joyful, peaceful, changed, saved, sin, or convicted without explaining them.

Writing Style:

Begin with an attention-getting sentence or incident.
Be positive, accurate and specific – details arouse interest.
Use Bible verses directly related to your experience. Delete references – for example, say, “One of Jesus’ disciples said…” rather than “1 John 5:11-13 says…”
Write a logical conclusion

Before I Received Christ

My attitudes, needs, and problems before I received Christ…
My life revolved around, and I gained happiness and security from…
Use an example from your personal life here. For instance, did your security come from money, your relationships, etc? Remember, avoid being overly sensational.
How did this disappoint me?
How was this unfulfilling? How did you come to realize this? What were you struggling with (if anything) just before you received Christ?

How I Received Christ
This part of your personal testimony is where you come to the transition in your life, where God’s work begins to become evident in you. Be clear that eternal life is received by trusting Christ alone to save you.
Remember to follow the same guidelines as before.

I first heard about Christ…
My initial reactions were…
My attitude began to change because…
My struggles just before I received Christ were…

Since I Received Christ
When giving a personal testimony, many people concentrate on the sin they had before they received Christ – even the sensationalism. However, an effective testimony focuses not on our sin, but on the work of the Holy Spirit in us, so that Jesus Christ takes center stage. It is at this point that your testimony should begin to shine.

One of the reasons people don’t share their faith more regularly is that they don’t think their life changed that much when they received Christ. Though there might not be a huge change behaviorally, there is a dramatic change positionally!

What specific changes did Christ make in my attitudes and actions?
How long did it take before I noticed changes?
How and why am I motivated differently now?
How did Christ begin to meet my needs or give me insight about my problems?

(Source: I think there were several including 5clicks.com and George Hillman)

Guidelines for Writing Your Testimony

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