Share Your Testimony and Your Faith

After we have began to speak about the church, truth, and Christ, we need to look for the opportunities to share our testimony and our faith. What I mean is that we need to tell people what God has done in our lives. Paul did this during his lifetime and he is the example of Christian living (Acts 22:3-21, 26:4-20; Romans 7:14-8:1; 1 Corinthians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 12:7-11; Philippians 1:12-26, 3:1-14).

First we must plan to share our testimony. Perhaps start by sharing with believers. In a small group or while you are with your Christian friends. You can just say things like, “I just want to thank the Lord, because he has been working in my life lately.” Then just share what God has been doing in your life. Or you could say, “I just want to thank the Lord for saving me. Can I share how I came to know the Lord?” Then share that with them. Yes, you are likely to feel uncomfortable, especially when you begin to share with unbelievers. That is just something you will have to push through. The more you share your testimony, the more comfortable you will feel. Everyday that you plan to be in contact with people, plan to share your testimony. Constantly look for an opportunity to share.

If someone tells you that they are going through something that you have gone through, then listen to them, show your concern, then tell them how God helped you through that. Amazingly, sometimes people will just ask you why you go to church, read the Bible, don’t cuss, etc. It is at those moments that your explanation is to share your testimony. So again, look for points in your conversations that provide an opportunity to share your testimony. Depending on the relationship and the conversation, you could just move in to asking, “Can I share with you what God has been doing in my life?”

Now once you have the opportunity to share, what do you share? Here are the components to a testimony. You do not always have to share each one. Depending on the circumstances you may be selective in what you share. First, share about what your life was like before you came to know Christ (Acts 22:3, 26:4-5; Philippians 3:1-6). Then find part of your life story that is similar to your listener (Acts 22:3), so that they can relate. Next confess the sins that God saved you from (Acts 22:4-5, 26:9-11). Move on to share how you came to know Christ (Acts 22:6-15, 26:12-18). Point out that at this point you turned from your sins, even if you did not become perfect at that point (Acts 22:16, 26:19-20; Philippians 3:7, 12-14). Also, simply share about your relationship with Christ (Philippians 3:8-11) and how that blesses you. Tell them why you go to church, pray, read your Bible, etc. Share your struggles with sin and how God is saving you from it (Romans 7:14-8:1; Philippians 3:12-14). Share how the Lord is helping you with various things in life (1 Corinthians 2:1-10; 2 Corinthians 12:7-11; Philippians 1:21-26, 3:12-14). Lastly, share how God is using your difficulties to help others come to Christ (Philippians 1:12-20).

In doing this, you are hoping that they will see becoming a follower of Christ is the best and right thing for them. They may do this with you or may do this apart from you without you ever knowing. Both are fine. We are just looking to bring those who are lost to becoming Christians. Now in sharing your testimony and your faith, you may have people that even ask directly, “How do I have that?” If so, just explain to them and lead them to the Lord. If they do not do this, try to be sensitive to how they are receiving your story. If it is clear that they are not interested in becoming a Christian then continue to pray for them and talk with them as your relationship continues. If there is any doubt about this, then just take the risk in asking them, “Would you like to know Christ in this way?” If the answer is no, then just continue to pray for them and talk with them as your relationship continues. If they say yes, then praise the Lord. Explain to them how to come to Christ and pray with them. In the next lesson we will look specifically at how to explain the gospel message. You now know what to do and how to do it. Now Jesus says to you, go and “be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8).