When I was in Bible college, I was taking a class on personal evangelism. One of our assignments was to write out our personal story of how we placed our faith in Jesus and how Christ has changed our lives. I remember the professor challenging us to be prepared to share Christ. He said, if we would prepare ourselves, God will give us opportunities to share with others. Why would God use people who do not prepare themselves? It’s a powerful question.
Shortly after the assignment, God gave me two incredible opportunities to share my faith with people at work. I was blessed to pray with one and lead him to Christ, the other was very moved, but wasn’t ready to commit to Christ.
1 Peter 3:15 - “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Everyone has a story. If you have never sat down and written out your spiritual testimony in chronological order, when you do, you’ll be amazed at how God has been working in your life. No testimony is boring. Your story is unique and fascinating, and whenever you tell it, it will be relevant, and potentially life changing for the listener.
A personal testimony is the most nonthreatening way to tell an unbeliever why Jesus is important to you. It allows you to be open about your life while giving God the glory.
Your story is compelling because it’s personal! You can prove it’s true because you were there. It can’t be refuted!
Your story is simply an account of how God has changed your life. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then surely He has done miraculous things for you. People are looking for evidence that God exists and that He is personally involved in people’s lives. You can’t make God appear on the spot to prove His existence, but you can certainly point straight to Him by talking about how He has worked in your life.
One of the advantages of preparing your personal testimony is that it makes you realize how God has been at work in your life. Sometimes we forget don’t we? When you sit down and begin to remember how Jesus has reached out to you and touched your life…it’s amazing. You can’t help but begin to worship God. You are reminded of how faithful God has been.
Some of you might be thinking, “Should I really have my story prepared? What ever happened to spontaneity and speaking straight from your heart? Doesn’t the Holy Spirit give us the words we need to speak?”
Think about this: Would you go to an important business meeting without being thoroughly prepared? Would you walk unprepared into a courtroom for a trial? Would you show up to perform on opening night without your lines memorized? Of course not!
It’s true the Holy Spirit moves us and leads us in our conversations about Christ. But it’s our responsibility to use what the Lord gives us in the best possible way. We prepare for important meetings – we need to prepare to give an account of our faith as well.
Today’s Challenge: Make some time to sit down and write out your testimony. Think about the story in the context of the past, the present, and the future. Who were you before Christ? What is he doing in your life now? Where is God taking you. I believe if you will prepare your testimony, God will bring people in your life who need to hear it.
