Sharing your Christian testimony with others is an immensely powerful way to glorify God and be used by Him to impact lives. A testimony is simply your personal story of how you came to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. It details your life before knowing Christ, how you came to faith, and the difference He has made since. The Bible encourages believers to share their testimonies as a way to proclaim the gospel and bring others to salvation (Revelation 12:11). Here are some key things to keep in mind when writing and sharing your Christian testimony.
Focus on Christ, Not Yourself
The goal of sharing your testimony is to point people to Jesus, not glorify yourself. Be sure to emphasize throughout how Christ pursued you, changed you, and continues to work in your life by His grace and power. Don’t try to make yourself look good. Humility is key (James 4:10). Share honestly about the struggles you faced and how God brought you through them. All glory goes to Him.
Keep it Relatable
Strive to share your story in a way that common people can relate to. Use everyday language and avoid Christian jargon. Be authentic and vulnerable about your faults. This allows others to see themselves in your shoes and identify with your journey. The more relatable your testimony, the more impactful it can be.
Focus on Changed Life
A powerful Christian testimony details a changed life. Share specific examples of how coming to Christ radically transformed you. What addictions, habits, attitudes, or mindsets did He set you free from? What new desires, passions and purposes has He given you? Don’t exaggerate, but highlight specific ways His Spirit has sanctified you and made you a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This brings glory to God.
Keep it Concise
When sharing your testimony verbally, be careful not to make it excessively long with too many intricate details. It is easy to lose people’s interest that way. Try to keep your testimony to 5 minutes or less when sharing one-on-one. Hit the highlights and focus on your main point – how Jesus Christ has changed your life.
Be Sensitive About Details
Use wisdom and discernment regarding sensitive details you share about your pre-Christian life. Some things are better left unsaid. You want your testimony to draw people to Christ, not cause them to stumble. Share details about your past sinful life carefully, in a way that conveys the seriousness of sin without glorifying or celebrating it (Ephesians 5:12).
Memorize Key Points
It can be impactful to memorize your testimony or at least the key elements of it. This allows you to share it freely, clearly, and from the heart, rather than relying on notes. Pray and ask God to help you remember and articulate key turning points and transformations He orchestrated in your life. This enables you to share your story anywhere at anytime as God opens doors.
Close With the Gospel
Wrap up your testimony by clearly explaining the gospel. What must someone do to be saved from their sin and have eternal life? Make sure to emphasize repentance and faith in Christ (Mark 1:15, John 3:16, Romans 10:9). Your story sets the stage for people to understand their need for Christ. Close by extending hope in the gospel.
Rely on the Spirit
Ultimately, recognize that only the Holy Spirit can soften hearts and open eyes to the truth of Christ. As you prepare to share your testimony, pray for wisdom, clarity, humility and reliance on the Spirit. Ask Him to speak through you and use your story in a mighty way. Trust that He will empower your testimony for His glory.
Types of Testimonies
There are many creative ways to share your Christian testimony. Consider writing it out in letter form to pass along to friends or coworkers. Record a video to post online detailing your story. Or look for opportunities to share it verbally one-on-one or before a group. Here are some common forms Christian testimonies can take:
Written Testimony
Putting your testimony in writing allows you to thoughtfully articulate your story. Carefully edit it to highlight key turning points in your journey to Christ. Your written testimony can be posted on your social media, printed as gospel tracts to hand out, or sent to friends and family you want to witness to. Having a written testimony prepared also allows you to share it verbally from memory more easily when opportunities arise.
Video Testimony
Recording a video to share your conversion story online is very impactful. People connect through stories, and being able to see and hear you share your journey with Christ in your own words can deeply touch hearts. Post your video testimony on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or other sites. Ask God to get it in front of those He is drawing to Himself.
Informal Spoken Testimony
Be ready to share your testimony verbally in everyday conversations as God opens doors. When someone close to you is going through a hard time, you can comfort them by explaining how Christ brought you through a similar trial. If struggling with an addiction, you can compassionately share how God freed you from the same addiction when you surrendered your life to Him. Prepare a short, informal version you can freely share one-on-one.
Formal Spoken Testimony
Look for opportunities to share your testimony before a group at your church, a Christian event, worship service, Bible study, retirement home, prison ministry or other setting. Prayerfully prepare with Notes and practice sharing it clearly and concisely. Ask God to prepare hearts and use your story in a powerful way. Consider memorizing your formal testimony so you can deliver it from the heart.
What to Include in Your Testimony
The details to include in your Christian testimony can vary, but here are some key elements to cover:
Introduce Yourself
Start by briefly introducing yourself and opening up with a relatable personal detail to connect with your audience. Help them understand where you’re coming from.
Life Before Christ
Paint a picture of your life before surrendering to Christ. What were some of your deepest struggles, longings and hurts? How did the enemy have you trapped? Don’t glorify sin, but help people understand your profound need for salvation.
What God Used to Draw You
Share what means God used to initially draw your heart and plant seeds of truth about Jesus. Did a friend share the gospel? Did you encounter a gospel tract? Attend a conference? Read a book? Describe tools God used to soften your heart.
Point of Surrender
Explain specifically when and how you surrendered your life fully to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Share details surrounding your conversion experience. What finally helped you put your complete faith in Him and repent from old ways?
Scripture That Impacted You
Highlight one or two key Bible verses God used to speak truth into your life during your conversion process. Quoting them allows God’s Word to impact listeners now. Explain how those verses opened your eyes.
How Christ Transformed You
Share examples of specific ways God sanctified you and transformed your desires, thoughts, habits and character after surrendering to Him. This highlights His work in your life.
How Your Life Looks Different Now
Close by contrasting your new life in Christ to your old life enslaved by sin. Paint a picture of the freedom, joy, meaning and purpose you now have in relationship with Jesus. Make sure He gets all the glory for the change.
Testimony Examples in the Bible
The Bible contains many examples of powerful testimonies we can model ours after. Here are a few key ones:
The Samaritan Woman – John 4:4-30, 39-42
After her life-changing encounter with Jesus at the well, this Samaritan woman immediately shared her testimony with everyone in her city. Many came to faith in Christ as a result. Her testimony centered on how Jesus supernaturally revealed things about her sinful life, yet offered her living water and forgiveness.
The Blind Man – John 9:1-34
When skeptics doubted his story about how Jesus healed him, this blind man stuck boldly to his firsthand testimony. He refused to speculate about things he didn’t know, but remained authoritative and unwavering regarding the miraculous difference Christ made in his life.
Paul – Acts 22:1-21
Paul shared his dramatic conversion testimony before hostile crowds multiple times in the Book of Acts. His focus was always on how the resurrected Christ personally intervened in his life and how he immediately obeyed the heavenly vision. This served as an irrefutable defense of the gospel.
The Psalmist – Psalm 66:16, 40:1-3
Multiple psalms recount the author’s testimony of crying out to God in desperate times and being delivered. These testimonies of personal experiences with God’s power and faithfulness served to teach others about His trustworthiness and inspire them to also open their lives to Him.
Common Objections You May Hear
When sharing your Christian testimony, you may encounter skepticism or objections from some listeners. Here are some potential questions and the best way to respond:
How Do You Know That’s True?
Calmly explain you can only share what you’ve personally experienced and know to be real in your life. Your testimony is not about trying to prove theological facts but sharing an authentic story of how Christ changed you. Extend grace.
That’s Just Your Interpretation
Acknowledge you are simply recounting your firsthand experiences with God to the best of your ability. Make sure to focus on observable life changes rather than just abstract interpretations that can’t be confirmed. The fruit in your life backs up your story.
How Can You Believe the Bible?
You do not need to get pulled into a deep debate about biblical authority when sharing your testimony. Gently point back to the authentic life transformation you experienced through encountering Christ. This personal impact provides experiential evidence of biblical truth.
What About Other Religions?
Resist pressure to contrast Christianity with other belief systems when sharing your testimony. Simply emphasize you are recounting your personal experiences with Jesus Christ and the changes He made in your life, so you are speaking about what you know.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When preparing your Christian testimony, sidestep these common mistakes that can reduce its power and effectiveness:
Talking About Yourself More Than Christ
Remember the goal is to exalt Jesus, not yourself. Don’t spend excessive time bragging about achievements or making yourself look virtuous before Christ. Keep the focus on His work in your life.
Exaggerating Details
Do not stretch the truth or embellish facts to try to make your story sound more dramatic. This only raises doubts. Simply share your testimony as accurately and authentically as possible. The truth speaks for itself.
Over-Emphasizing Changed Behavior
While new patterns of behavior provide evidence of Christ’s work, avoid implying you are now perfect or sinless. Make sure to give glory to God’s empowering grace rather than conveying you are now righteous through your own effort.
Jumping Around Chronologically
Share your testimony in an easy-to-follow sequence that builds logically from your old life, to how Christ intervened, to the new life you now have in Him. Don’t bounce around confusingly.
Using Vague Generalities
Ground your testimony in concrete real-life examples that connect with people. Avoid vague religious language that depersonalizes your story. Specific details have impact.
Sounding Canned or Rehearsed
Prayerfully prepare your testimony well beforehand, but deliver it conversationally in your natural voice and style. Avoid seeming over-rehearsed or like you are just reciting memorized lines. Share from a place of authentic vulnerability.
The opportunity to share your personal testimony of God’s work in your life is an immense privilege. As you craft your message, rely fully on the Holy Spirit to use your story to glorify Christ and draw people to be reconciled with God through faith. He promises that His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). Trust the Lord to work through your testimony to impact hearts and lives for eternity.